jr@vaxine.UUCP (Johanna Rothman) (03/12/85)
Ok, all you orthopedically-interested netters out there, I tore the anterior cruciate ligament in my left knee approximately 4 1/2 months ago. Due to the first doctor's misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment, I only underwent arthroscopic surgery 5 weeks ago, and started physical therapy 3 weeks ago. I still have (aside from the normal amount of depression with something like this ) pains in both knees and left ankle, during "normal" walking around. At least my muscles are getting strong from the therapy. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if the stability is returning as the strength is coming back. I really am afraid that this course of action will be worthless and I'll have to have the reconstruction surgery anyway. My questions : 1. Is there anyone out there who has had this problem, and what did you do? Can you really live without this ligament and bicycle and ski (with a brace)?? Can you go up and down stairs? Do you have pain, or fall over from instability? 2. Is there anyone else out there who hyperextends most of their joints frequently, and what do you do about it so you don't tear ligaments?? I'd like some perspective on how other people have managed to live active lives with lack of ligaments, specifically in knees. (This is getting to be a real drag.) My objectives are to go skiing in the winter, bicycling in the summer, and swimming all year round just for exercise. I'd like to hear from you also if you had the reconstruction, to find out what the recovery was like, the amount of time it took, and if it worked - what activities can you do and how much pain do you have? Please send mail, and if there's any requests for the responses, I'll summarize to the net. Thanks. Johanna Rothman jr@vaxine 617-667-7900