Ski injury - update

:shock: I'm sorry to hear about that

Gareth,
hope you don't mind questions - did you feel the need to go private? Did you choose a surgeon or take whatever was available? Before the op you say you went to the gym - could you drive? Did you wear a support - what sort if you did? What mobility did you have pre op? Got a riding/walking holiday in Cyprus booked for end July and can't decide whether to try to get the surgery privately before we go , or change to a lying in the sun holidya! Did you swim? Where do you stand on glucosamine/other supplements? I feel such a wimp - there are people far worse off but I just want to get an idea of the immediate future. Did you have an MRI to diagnose and did you have to have arthroscopy before the reconstruct?
Cheers

Hi Sue and welcome to the forum. One of our lady members has just got her ski legs back almost one year after her op,Her name is Caron-a.
I`m sure she will give you a more detailed insight as to what to expect.She`s a champion to the sport and a very brave lady.
Gareth glad to hear your on the mend. :thumbup:



AJ Adele

Sue,

I work for a pharmaceutical company so my orthopaedic surgeon was a customer of mine so i had no need to go private. I could drive no problem and had good mobility but reduced strength and use of the knee. I could not run or do any exercise except the bike and i did swim but not a lot as when I kicked it hurt. I play golf and had to take Difene (diclofenac anti inflamatory) before I went to play as the walking was uncomfortable.
The MRI scan is never conclusive and a surgeon will always need to do a arthroscopy to find out the extent of the tear (100% in my case).
I know another consultant who tore his ACL many years ago and did nothing about it and he is fine but if you want to ski you gotta get it done.
If your fit and keep doing whatever leg exercise you can manage it will be a huge help.
Dont worry, its a long process but not very painfull. :wink:

Thanks Adele :D

Gareth Fair wrote:Sue,

.
I know another consultant who tore his ACL many years ago and did nothing about it and he is fine but if you want to ski you gotta get it done.
If your fit and keep doing whatever leg exercise you can manage it will be a huge help.
Dont worry, its a long process but not very painfull. :wink:

Actually that's not always 100% correct. My OH damaged a knee in a dumb, "I dropped my motorbike on the kerb" incident over 20 years ago. He never sought medical attention, and in 1984 learned to ski, and has skied every winter since. Usually does 3 to 4 weeks on snow each winter.
In the mid 90's he decided to get his knee looked at, as it used to "switch off" occasionally and he was fed up. MRI Scan, examination and Arthroscopy to confirm, that the ACL had been long gone. Learned to ski without it, didn't know it was missing so didn't worry.

Surgeons advice, "you have survived this long without it, get a brace and get back out there".
He uses a Cti2, which was supplied by the NHS (at the time). He's skiing in the top photo here last month...

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/5288.page

I've been reading this thread and think it's better if I post in more detail tomorrow if you can wait, sue. I've had two glasses of wine (having not drunk all week!) and I'm more inclined to look at men in lycra at the moment :lol:

seriously though, in the meantime, take heart... I was you in January last year, left mcl and right acl. however, nine months and one day post op I was on the slopes. there is light at the end of the tunnel...

and the people on here helped me through it big time :thumbup:

Gareth Fair wrote:Thanks Adele :D

ditto :D