ligament advice?

Went on third skiing holiday to Les Arcs over new year. I fell on my 1st day :( and got a grade 1-2 sprain in my left mcl. Unfortunately / fortunately we have a week booked in Tignes at easter (12 wks after accident).
Dr says "it's unlikely" that I'll be able to ski, Physio says "course you can as long as you take it easy". Who's right???
Having physio twice a week, can drive my car now, can walk down (not too steep) steps, don't need to wear my brace anymore so it seems to be healing.
Please help, I want to ski!!!!!!!!!

The advice I've been given in the past for mcl sprain is the same as your physio is giving you, "just try not to do the same thing again".

Work hard on the physio and maybe get a wobble board.
Keeping your legs in shape is the best protection for knees, esp thighs muscles as they pull the joint together. My cross training is inline skating, which is great for recovery (but also how I sprained my mcl).


good luck

Trencher

thank you, I'm encouraged.
I've always been over cautious with any injury so as not to delay recovery - should i get on my roller blades yet? My only fear is injury before I go or on day one again... :cry:

I'd echo trencher / your physios advice. Doctors would have you do nothing if they got their way - I think physios are more qualified in these areas. I took my phsios advice - which is same as yours, kept reasonably close to my comfort zone and have just had a great 3 days in grindelwald. Working hard on the exercise is keys. Oh I also wear my brace for extra support when skiing.

I ruptured my mcl and fractured the plateau of the tibia on my last morning skiing last Feb.Did the exercises my physio recommended every day for 8 months ! knee now fully recovered and pain free. My advice is to do exercises every day and take care on slopes . I am looking forward to skiing mid March.Bonnes Vacances a Tignes !

carona

As you do inline skate, may I suggest a couple of good exercises (if you can double pump, you are way beyond this).

In a carpark with a slope, parallel turns (inside foot ahead and weighted). Slalom turns (feet parallel around cones 2M apart (or the intersection of the car space lines).

The one that really builds muscle, is to slalom uphill. In order to do this you must really pump the turns (try to pump with the inside leg as well).


Trencher

Also, wear your pads for inline skating. That way you won't be concerned to protect your knee however you fall.

Trencher

you've all been so helpful. I'm feeling the happiest I have since 30th december 2007 and feel I can now start looking forward to Tignes. Thanks guys :-D