Jordon Has A Question-Let's Help

Hi,
My name is Jordan and I guess the best reason I can give for sending this email is I'm looking for advice. Last September to June (2011), I was captain of the UCLA ultimate frisbee team and known as one of the best ultimate frisbee players in the Los Angeles area. I'm not sure if you know much about the sport at all, its somewhat obscure, but it basically requires the same type of athleticism and movements as soccer, football, and basketball. In May 2011, the last and biggest tournament of our season, I suffered a knee injury. Running at full speed I fell and landed flat on the front of my knee/shin. An MRI revealed I had managed to tear my PCL and only my PCL. It is a complete tear. My orthopedic recommended physical therapy and discouraged surgery because he thinks that intense physical therapy will be able to hold my knee in place. The test for a PCL tear, pushing/pulling on the shin forward and back, reveals about a half inch of movement..... I'm now 5 weeks into my physical therapy and that movement has not gone away at all. I'm beginning to wonder if my orthopedic and physical therapist know anything at all about PCL tears, because they're so rare. Right now my exercises are a lot of holding my leg out straight with ankle weights, and light lunges/squats with just my own body weight. I'm just wondering if I'll be able to return to sports after just physical therapy or if my doctor just doesn't know whats going on.
Thanks,
Jordan

Lil Needs Some Advice

Hi guys



Although I've chatted to a few people who have torn their ACL, I've yet to speak to anyone who has torn their PCL and needed surgery.

My story is this - I felt something snap in my leg when I was skiing in March this year. My leg went floppy and caused me to fall (I think I hit an icy patch and turned badly but I really don't know). I was stretchered off the mountain and an MRI scan confirmed it to be an isolated PCL complete tear. My holiday was ruined and I was pretty much housebound for five weeks following my return to the UK.

I started with physio and hydrotherapy in April shortly before returning to work and almost (but not quite) have full movement in my knee five months down the line. I still have pain though (mainly on the inside of my knee) and swelling, and some days are better than others - some days I limp, some days I don't. I can sit cross-legged although not comfortably for very long and I can almost touch my bum with my heel whilst doing a hamstring curl - although I have to release it very slowly as it hurts to do so!! I had started to get a cracking/clicking in my knee when walking which I found really uncomfortable and I have no idea what this could be?

I'd started swimming (although sometimes this was uncomfortable but I'm just desperate to get fit again) and had even tried running both with and without the bulky brace. The running was hard though and I've sadly had to pull out of the half marathon I was due to run in a couple of months. Despite this, I thought I was doing ok but then a few weeks ago I stood up, my knee cracked and it completely gave way. It has been very delicate since and I feel like progress has stopped.

My consultant has tried to put me off surgery. I know what's involved and understand it's a tricky procedure and a lot less common than an ACL reconstruction. But because I ski, dance and run he said I'd be a good candidate and agreed to do it. My surgery was booked in for 27 October but has just been brought forward to two weeks time! I'm feeling very nervous about it all now and I just wanted to know that it's all going to be worth it really! If I don't have it how long until my knee will feel as normal as it can do? And will I end up with arthritis, scar tissue and other problems if I leave it? If I do have the procedure, how long will the rehabilitation be? When will I be able to drive (it's my right knee). I'm hoping that since I've been working hard at physio it won't be too bad. What do you think?

Would you absolutely recommend surgery?

It would be really good to have some feedback about it as I feel I've got no point of reference. There's also very little information on the internet.

Any advice you could possibly give me in the run up to my surgery would be gratefully received.

Lil

2 Year Update! KJ's PCL Surgical Success!

I've been meaning to send an update for a couple months now so here it goes: The end of March was my 2-year post-op anniversary. I went in for what I thought was my last PCL check-up ever. They did a KT test and found that my surgical PCL is tighter than my non-surgical PCL. Yay! Surgical success! They also told me that they want me to come back every year for the next 20 years as a research patient. What?! It's free though so I'm willing to do it to help others and also keep tabs on my own knee.

My nemesis since surgery has been patellofemoral syndrome and it has really been a barrier to getting back into serious physical shape (that and my love for food & beer!). I've had tremendous amounts of pain in my knee cap so I asked the doctor about it and he suggested a synvisc-one injection; I scheduled that May 5. It was a simple procedure and similar to a cortisone injection, just a a bit more painful. I have been very pleased with the results! The first 3 weeks I experience a lot of weird, strange, new pains, but that's a normal side effect. I'm a month out which is when the full results should be felt and my knee feels great. Not 100% but mostly pain-free.

Over the weekend I ran my first 5K since surgery. Remember, I'm NOT a runner so this was an important step for me. My husband and I did it in the form of a Warrior Dash so there were 13 obstacles included in the race. We didn't set any records but we had an absolute blast! I did have great difficulty at one obstacle that requires you to crawl on your hands in knees in the pitch dark. Leaning down on my knee still feels awful! But other than that my knee held up with the expected soreness the next day.

I am taking over as head coach for my local women's rugby team and joined the local rowing club. I hope to compete in my first regatta in the fall. It's much gentler on the knees! I hope to get into trail-running this summer as well.

Thank you for continuing to maintain your blog! I attached a picture from Saturday's race - enjoy!
Cheers,
kj

3 Years Ago Today I Had My PCL Surgery

Hi Everyone, Skinnygurl here.

Three years ago today I had my PCL Surgery and began the long road of recovery. Instead of talking about me I would like to reintroduce Hamlet! He sent an update and I would like to share it with you. What an inspiration.

(GOOD JOB HAMLET!)

Hello Again Skinnygurl,

It's me Hamlet if you still remember. Would like to share with everybody about my latest development.
Attached is the picture of me with the medal and trophy we have won. I assisted our rugby club to win a state level league.


I played as a winger in most of the games. As you can see, I did taping on my right knee to assist my performance.
I can play without it but it is best not to take any risk. Otherwise, that is just a sign of insecure.


After such massive usage of the knee during the whole 2 months, I did worry about my knee so I scheduled a MRI scan with my specialist.
Thank God, the result was good. No sign of any damage and the previous surgery was a success. Of course I won't get 100% back the state of my original knee. But 90% is good enough to give me strength to continue playing rugby.


I know this is not much of experience to share, but my intention is to inspire everyone to not to lose hope. Faith is important for us to go on and achieve the goal of life. When I first decided to go for the surgery, I was in dilemma, some said better let it be without surgery, some say go on with the surgery.


I listen to my heart and tell myself I can go through this. So here I am, running again in the field with my new strength. This year 2011 is where I am officially back as an active rugby player. 2010 year end was more like a warming up and testing phase.


It is good to be back again after more than 2 years of rehabilitation and sitting as a spectator. Hope this will at least give everyone the motivation to get back on their "knee"

Evan needs our opinion

Hi there, My name is Evan, and I'm currently a senior at Cornell University. I took a nasty fall one night this past December, and I apparently tore my PCL and have been just dealing with it until I have my scheduled surgery this coming June 10th. I came across your blog about your experiences with this debilitating surgery, and I was hoping you could give me a few more details as I try to make plans for the summer. More specifically, after your surgery, exactly how limited were you? For example, I know that I'm going to be locked in a brace and have crutches, but do you think I will be able to maneuver the leg at least? Or does it hurt even to move it (even when it's not bending)? I ask because I'm trying to figure out where I should live during the summer -- in my apartment at college or at home. I'd much prefer to be at my apartment, but I don't know if I'd be able to subsist on my own. Also, it seems like you're into fitness and exercise as I am, and although this might sound irrational, one of the things I'm most worried about after this surgery is staying in shape! Do you have any tips on what you did post-op so you didn't lose muscle and/or gain weight? Any other tips or advice you have would be great, too. Thank you so much in advance for your help! Regards, Evan Thanks for any comments. Skinnygurl

Another Journey From Reader Susan

the first day post op after, with the cadaver tendon before picture of my knee, those strandy things at the upper left hand corner is all that was left of my PCL, or at least that's what my doc told me.


Hi skinnygurl!


I'm sharing my PCL story in case you want to share it on your blog and maybe allow your readers to hear about another experience. I first tore my PCL in May 2005 when I fell ice skating, I caught a rut and landed square on my tibia, pushing it back. I heard a sort of pop, but didn't think too much of it at the time. I got up and finished my skating session, figuring it hurt just because I fell. Afterwards, when I got off the ice, I couldn't bend my knee enough to sit onto the bench, the manager had to get my skates off for me. Getting into my car, I had to move the seat all the way back just so I could get in. I kind of just ignored it all though, as I was leaving for a trip to Israel a couple weeks after that. I bought a knee brace and kept it wrapped up. When I came back from Israel, and it was still bugging me, I went to a doctor who took a couple x-rays, and said I just had a little chondromalacia and sent me for PT. Obviously, it didn't help much, and eventually, I just got used to the looseness of my knee.


A couple years later, I started medical school, and during our first year, we had a musculoskeletal physical diagnosis lab, which included the diagnostic tests of the knee. We practiced these exams on each other, and when my partner did the posterior drawer, and it was unexpectadedly positive, she jumped, gave a little yelp. Our group preceptor came over, looked at my knee, did a couple other tests, and told me these tests have virtually no such thing as a false positive, he was 99.9% sure that I had a torn PCL. So there was my diagnosis, given in a rather unconventional manner. He told me if I tore the PCL, I likely also had other damage, since a PCL tear rarely happens in isolation. I had to see an orthopedist for my insurance company to approve an MRI, so I went, told him my history, and he sent me for the MRI. MRI report comes back as normal. The ortho looked at it himself, and said he disagrees with the radiologist, the PCL looks torn to him, and it didn't matter what the MRI report said about the PCL, it was most definitely torn just from the exam alone. And wouldn't you know it, I'm one of those rare beasts who managed to tear only the PCL. At that time, he told me surgery is not recommended because I was functioning at a high level already, I was skating, running, basically doing everything. Surgery is also more difficult and complicated than an ACL repair, so he basically just told me not to do anything at that time, and I was happy with that answer.


Flash forward to about 2 years after that, and I started getting more and more instability and pain in my knee. It was constantly giving out on me, just collapsing for no reason. I eventually had to stop skating and running because of the instability. And then it started giving out just walking up the block. That was kind of the turning point for me. I went back to the surgeon to ask about reconstruction. He told me that he agreed I needed surgery, but he wasn't comfortable doing it, since it's such a rare surgery. He sent me to Hospital for Special Surgery, and in July 2010, I met with a surgeon there. Surgery was scheduled for the beginning of my one month vacation, which happened to be just before Thanksgiving. November 23, 2010 I went into the hospital and had the distinct honor of being the only PCL reconstruction that day. I walked into the OR, and there had to be about 17 medical students and residents waiting for my surgery, guess they all wanted to see the PCL repair since it's not a very common surgery. I don't remember too much after the surgery, except that I had to meet with a PT before I could be discharged to learn to use crutches, and he was incredibly good looking and very strong. I wish I had worn nicer sweatpants because he really was very handsome.


The next couple weeks were pretty much all the same, laying on the couch, playing video games, needlepointing, going stir crazy. I started PT at day 13 post op, which was exciting at first. But then I could only do exercises on the table since I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks. The interesting part is that I had to go on residency interviews during the time I was on crutches. It makes for a very interesting time, wearing a suit, bulky brace, and being non weight bearing and spending a whole day on your feet. Definitely was not easy, and not something I would want to do again. But my arms got really toned. At 6 weeks, I was cleared to lose the crutches, and I was able to start doing more intense PT using the treadmill, the weight machines, etc. After that, it seems like the rehab just started going a lot faster. 8 weeks post op, and I was able to lose the big bulky brace. My surgeon said he doesn't recommend any sort of functional brace because there isn't anything that would really support the PCL anyway. Still not allowed to run though. At 12 weeks, I started using my hamstrings again.


14 weeks post op, I went back to see my surgeon, and he signed off on my case. He said the PCL was stable. There is still some laxity, but I went from a grade 3+ to a borderline 1/2. He told me before the surgery that if I get back a degree of laxity, it's considered a success with the PCL. He explained it will never be perfect, but it should be stable enough that it won't collapse on me and I can do everything I want to do. If I was a professional, it would be unlikely I could go back to playing at a professional level, but to kick around a soccer ball with my friends, or go ice skating at a semi-serious level, or run 5K or 10K shouldn't be an issue. He told me I could start running again at around 20 weeks post op, and I wouldn't need to see him again unless there was a problem, and I can stop PT since I could do all the exercises on my own anyway.


Well, I started running slowly at 19 weeks post op, not much difference in a week, right? And when I say slowly, I mean really slow. I completely forgot how to run, it's almost the same sensation I was getting when I was relearning to walk, I had to think about where I was placing the foot for each step. I have been doing a walk/run every day so far this week, and so far, it's holding up really great. I'm really happy with how secure it feels. Once I get into the groove and find my stride, I don't worry about my knee collapsing. I also went to my first zumba class, which was a great test for my knee.I'm not able to do a lot of the jumping, but I kept up with the class and my knee didn't hurt at all. I also started a belly dance class at around 17 weeks post op, which started me getting confidence in my knee, even though it's not very stressful for the knee. I know it's still early, but so far, I'm really happy with my decision to do the surgery. Going through the rehab, I was wondering if all this was worth it, if I would go through all this rehab just to end up with a knee that wasn't any better. But now, I'm not thinking about my knee when I walk, I just walk. I can run, I can zumba. I haven't gone back on the ice yet, since that requires a lot of deep knee bend and I'm just not able to do that yet without a lot of pain, but being able to run and survive a zumba class gives me the confidence that I will be able to do anything I could want to do. I'm happy that my knee is no longer holding me back, and I'm sure the people around me are happy to because I don't complain about my knee as much either.


Anyway, there's my PCL success story. Hopefully it wasn't too long and boring, and maybe someone else can benefit from reading it.
-Sue

Thank you for sharing your journey Sue. Us PCL Survivors know the length and pain of recovery so please don't feel as though your story is too long or boring. I'm very happy to share and like you hope someone else can benefit from you!
Skinnygurl

Here Is A Thank You Note From Stanislav Of Russia

Hi, Skinnygurl!
My name is Stanislav, I am from Russia. A year ago I had a severe knee injury while skiing. PCL, MCL and miniscus were completely torn. So, as a result, I had a complex knee surgery in Germany and spent two months in a rehab center.
Naturally, during all this time I'd always tried to search the internet to check how I was doing and what were the prospects. And the best source of information I could find was your blog. Thank you very much for very important and incouraging information!!! Every time I wasn't happy with progress, I checked your situation for the same time ex surgery and usually I felt much better after that, as my recovery went even quicker than yours :)
Now, a year after surgery, my injured leg still looks smaller and I still have some feeling in the knee when walking, but I can easily run a mile or walk 10 miles. So, I believe it's ok.
This week, a year after surgery, I spent several days in mountains skiing again. As it turned out, it was easier for the knee to ski than to walk. I could ski the whole day with minimal sensations in the knee.
Thank you very much again for your blog. Great job.
Stanislav

How wonderful Stanislav, I thank you so very much and glad you found this blog to be helpful. Congratulations on your progress.
Skinnygurl

3 Years Ago Today

Hello and welcome to my blog. 3 years ago today I went to the gym, ran 4 1/2 miles, logged my progress and went to work like any other day. That night I took a fall which changed everything. I tore my PCL.
Prior to that I didn't know what a PCL was. If you're reading this you probably can relate.
I had surgery and after a long recovery, here I am!

I invite you to read my story along with the journey of other PCL survivors.

Stay tuned and feel free to leave comments. If you have a journey you would like to share feel free to email me at sprinter2fun@hotmail.com

Skinnygurl