 Poster: A snowHead
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Libertine, I was under strict instruction from my surgeon not to try to bend my knee (it was all very strange and part of the reason he said no physio for months) and so it came naturally and gradually. I don't know if I was just lucky or if there was some method in my French surgeon's madness! I can't complain about the outcome, but my post-op instructions were just so different from what everyone else was being told to do... but at your stage, I don't think I could imagine being able to walk downstairs or kneel normally ever again - then one day, you just realise you're doing it!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Libertine, thanks sounds like all you guys immediately knew something was wrong from the off a pop or instability, did you get any pain? All I felt was like a Chinese burn to the inside of my knee as my leg went around and back, the ski must have released eventually but too late as it was up the hill as was dusting myself off, I got up thinking "hmm that didn't feel right!" But didn't have any real immediate pain, I just knew it wasn't one of my normal crashes, after a hour we packed all our kit away, I was walking up and down stairs with no pain but the knee started to go stiff, we drove back towards home for another hour and stopped off at services for tea and only at that point..getting out of the car did I think oh!
The pain was pretty bad inside the knee, so much so I wouldn't go to see anyone as there was no way I was going to let anyone near it let alone pull it around, after 2 weeks the pain was at a point where I booked to see a specialist, I saw him on week 3.
I never really felt instability squatting lunging etc. but laterally didn't feel very strong (probably psychological) I think the main concern now as it was bit grey as to how much damage was done to the acl...is wondering if it's going to give out when I do really test it. 
Straight after the injury I could put weight on, press forwards/backwards, flex with weight on but swinging the leg forwards after taking a step or getting in/out of the car was torture. As miranda, says I couldn't sit on my heels at all for nearly 5 months but all of a sudden I can now.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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gatecrasher, What treatment have you had ?
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AndAnotherThing.., I've been doing physio, at first weekly, now every 2-3 weeks...
Lots of exercises to strengthen my hamstrings, quads etc. a lot of lateral type leg raises etc. & a lot of one leg stability testing exercises.
I would say It feels about 80-90% normal now, I had a strange "tight feeling" around my mcl for a long time, it now feels pretty much there. The last bit now is a slight weak feeling between not quite straight to fully straight, sort of when you step back into a small dip in the ground that you weren't expecting, this is getting better though and my physio says it's because of damage to nerve endings, my body has to relearn the positions of the joints hence a lot of stability exercises.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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gatecrasher, Talking of relearning, it was pretty odd going back to skiing last week. On day one I was perhaps 20% of my usual ability and even by day 6 there was still maybe 20% to find. It was like learning to ski again - very interesting. Vis was pretty rubbish through the week so that didn't help.
Mine still feels slightly odd in different ways and I think it will be a while yet before it's completely normal.
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AndAnotherThing.., yep I can imagine...my physio says it will probably be the best thing I can do is to get skiing again to relearn the stability as long as I don't go mad, she said what's the worst that can happen...blow your acl completely so you'll be starting again from scratch!  she also pointed out I could do it walking down the street...I guess she's right..can't help thinking she was taking the wee wee a little though...
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I had my ACL-R in May 2005. Due to falling pregnant and having my daughter I didn't get to go skiing until Jan 2008. So a very long time afterwards. I must admit I and a bit of trepidation before that first run. I found it came flooding back and I felt 100% normal and had no trouble skiing back to the level of runs I had been dong before my fall where I ruptured it.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Wed 12-12-12 12:23; edited 1 time in total
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AndAnotherThing.., friend had an ACL reconstruction about three years ago now. He was telling us on Sunday that he'd been for a walk on Friday and for the first time didn't feel like he was limping, and had no 'odd' feelings from his knee.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hells Bells, It weird as sometimes people say I'm walking 'funny' even though I can't feel it myself.
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AndAnotherThing.., I wasn't really in a position to notice how he was walking on Sunday, but I have noticed that he walked like an 'old' man would since it happened. Perhaps the fact I didn't notice means he doesn't any more.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I think a lot of it has been learned through protection instinct while injured and has to be unlearned over time and with certain exercises.
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Pedantica, probably not but worth a trip to the physio to put your mind at rest
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You know it makes sense.
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Arno, will anything short of an MRI scan produce a reliable diagnosis?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Pedantica, MRI's from my experience aren't 100 % conclusive when there isn't an obvious complete tear etc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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To add I found my physio far more helpful in explaining things than the consultant. Might be a better first port of call.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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gatecrasher, thanks, I will ask my physio again, but she has already told me that she thinks there has been strain but no serious injury. I will continue to trust her judgement and to do recommended exercise, heat/ice etc. One thing she has told me is not to overdo any quad/knee stretches, which is really pissing me off in my Pilates classes, as the rest of the class insouciantly lies back, flat on the floor, with their shins flat beside them, while I can't even sit on my heels. It's not a competitive class, but that really annoys me. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Pedantica, not really but it could be as simple as your leg muscles being tight and putting pressure on the knee. my knees felt awful at the gym a couple of weeks ago. a good stretch of the hamstrings and they were much better
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Arno, yeah, my quads are as tight as hell but I can't stretch them without pain, and that's what the physio is telling me to be careful with. Hamstrings are pretty OK, can put my hands flat on the floor with my legs straight, no problemo.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Pedantica, a sports massage may help considerable if they are really tight. Be warned they can be extremely painful but really do work
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^^^ +1
+97 on the extremely painful
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or get a foam roller for your thighs. also extremely painful but cheaper than regular sports massages
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Ow. Thanks for the advice, though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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genepi, there's a firm roller in the corner of my bedroom too, supposed to be sorting out all my hubby's aches and pains.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I am seeing my physio (who is a sports physio) tomorrow and will ask her about this instrument of torture! She has always sorted me out in the past, mostly by a fairly gentle 'laying on of hands' - she is also a qualified osteopath, but hasn't ever done any of that clicking stuff to me - and I do trust her.
The good news is that none of this knee business hurts me when I'm skiing. It's not compulsory to be able to sit on one's heels when skiing, or indeed for anything else. Other than that, it's just walking upstairs and sitting down that are painful at the moment, and I'm sure that will ease in time.
Sorry to hijack this thread with such paltry ailments!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hi guys, I have had some positive and slightly unexpected news from the physio.
I am now on week 17, so in my 5th month, I hadn't seen the physio in a month as she didn't think it necessary and I went back yesterday and she was very impressed. I have been doing a hell of a lot of gym work, leg presses, cycling, general gym stuff and my leg has been feeling really good. I've been able to run (though i rarely do as i hate it) and have been cycling fine, only on road so far but hopping about off of ledges etc. and no pain or anything at all.
The physio had me doing lots of exercises and said that it looks great and that shes happy to sign me off of physio, unless something goes wrong or theres any set-backs!! Shes encouraged me to start playing football asap (at a non competitive level) and everything else is just up to me wether or not i feel i am ready. However she did say maybe dont get on the dry-slope's until the end of january, but im fine with that! Going to be doing a lot of gentle mountain biking next week when i get home from uni, and will see how that feels. But all being well I'll certainly be skiing come the end of March!
I understand that i'm still very early on in my recovery, but the physio seems to think that due to my previous levels of fitness before my crash, and my previous level of sports that it''s just taken the muscle no time at all to build back up, and she thought that the calves on my 'bad leg' seem stronger than the other!
I will still be taking things very slowly and not rushing to throw my leg over my downhill or motocross bike but things are looking up and I cant wait to kick a football and get on the indoor ski slope at Hemel!
Thanks
Harry
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hazamadcow, fantastic! 
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You know it makes sense.
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hazamadcow, Excellent !! Out of interest was that a private or NHS physio ?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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That was a private physio!
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Poster: A snowHead
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hazamadcow, 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Had my 6 month check up today. OUCH! Having had a pain-free experience since the operation, I am contemplating taking paracetemol for the first time in 6 months! Had my knee twisted, clamped and squeezed really hard for the X Ray (I had forgotten I had to do this before the operation and it really wasn't much fun then either, particularly when they're fussing about trying to get the knee in exactly the right position to the milimetre once you're already clamped in - it wasn't fun for the good leg, let alone the bad one).
Then had an appointment with the surgeon so he could pull really hard on the lower part of my leg a few times to compare laxity with the other one. He seemed pleased. Said the ligament had healed well but the muscle was still comparatively weak. I am fine to ski, but should start on easy slopes and build my way up. I asked if I should be having physio or doing anything in particular to work on the muscles but he said it would come back gradually and naturally and I should just do lots of the sports I enjoy and push myself a bit more each time but not make a point of doing any exercises I don't want to do. He told me three times to not wear a brace whilst skiing. So that's it until the 12 month final (hopefully!) consultation and X Ray in May.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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miranda,
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| but not make a point of doing any exercises I don't want to do. |
I dream of this !
Glad it went ok, examination aside. I'm with you on the brace question. If it's worked correctly we shouldn't need one. So when are you skiing ?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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miranda, that sounds like good news/bad news, with the good news in the ascendant. Well done! Enjoy your skiing!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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AndAnotherThing.., I have had such a slacker rehab compared to you - I am now very relieved not to have had a strength test as I dread to think what the percentages would say in comparison to everyone else's. Still, I wasn't going to complain when he told me not to bother with the boring stuff!
I'm not going to ski until the first week of January - I wasn't sure how I was going to get on with skiing this season so I've decided to get the Evasion season pass for €230 that means no Christmas and half term school holidays, nor weekends, but that suits me fine this year. First outing up the mountain will probably therefore be a snowshoe trek with marksavoie when the Christmas guests arrive, which I'm really looking forward to. May be persuaded to get a cheap day pass before then, just to get the feel of being on skis again... we'll see - I can't think about it properly at the moment whilst I have this sudden and unexpected sore kneecap!
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Pedantica, thank you - hope it turns out your knee situation is just a mild and temporary blip!
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miranda, wow - that's a bargain pass. No loss missing half term !
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miranda, thanks. Physio says most of my problem is in my back and she's sorting it. I hope.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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miranda, good news, enjoy your skiing! I'm amazed at all the different advice everyones had on the road to recovery.
hazamadcow, good luck with your further recovery too, did the physio give you any reason to stay off dry slopes but allow you to ski at Hemel?
Only reason I ask is almost all my friends/ acquaintances who use dry slopes a lot... who have also had injuries of this nature, did them on snow slopes... including myself, we all crash a lot on the dryslopes and normally get finger/wrist type injuries, rarely serious knee injuries, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just none I'm aware of in my reasonable sized circle. My own personal view is snow can be a lot more unpredictable. Just wondering how others see this including your physio.
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gatecrasher, I skied our local dry slope before going away to the snow although my first time was at Manchester. My main worry (and the physio's) was/is being hit.
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FAQ
) and have not been able to sit on my heels since I damaged the first one. Erm, do I have ligament damage? Should I be worried, or do I just soldier on until they get better? Or not. 
I'd second the sports physio suggestion, & a good massage.