Knee injury

johnr

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I seem to have fallen off about a 6 foot ledge, and unfortunately landed with most of my body weight (265lbs) on my right knee.

I had an X-ray of it at 4 different angles, with no broken bones. However this knee is swollen at least twice as big as normal, and full of fluid. It seems to get more painful each day, as some of the feeling is finally starting to come back.

I have been icing, and applying heat at different intervals, and also wrapping with an Ace bandage. None of this is really helping as far as I can tell. I can walk on it, and climb stairs, etc. But any angle inward is not happening.

How does one know if you have a torn tendon or other damage that the X-ray didn't pick up. Or is it just a matter of time and patience of which I have neither and it will come around?

mrs johnr has been putting on my right sock each morning as i cant bend my knee inward, the pain is unbelievable.
 


LOV2HNT

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Sounds like you may need an MRI done.
Good luck, knee injuries suck and take some time and a bit of therapy to come back from.
 

AaronJ

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Plain xrays wont show most ligament, cartilage, or other soft tissue injuries. Sounds like time for an MRI.
 

MuskyManiac

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When did it happen? Use the PRICE protocol (protect, rest, ice, compression, elevation) for a week and see how it feels. Definitely a sprain of the MCL. If not improving after that then get an MRI. No reason to get an MRI right away.
 

martinslanding

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been through this several times, an MRI will show any damage or a really good specialist can tell with a few simple tests if any ligament damage, could be a strain, partial or complete tear. when I was younger I completely tore my ACL, however only had x-rays then it healed up, had issues with it on and off for about ten years tweaked it pretty good again then had MRI and they said it had been torn for some time, with lots of arthritis ... moral of story get it done right the first time
 


sl1000794

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^^^^^. What he said. Get MRI and fix it right the first time.
 

That guy

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You most likely will have to wait for some of the swelling to go down before they will give you an mri though.
 

guywhofishes

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Godspeed

don’t eff around - seek another opinion - u need that knee to do lots of goofy city slicker cowboy stuff during retirement

- - - Updated - - -

ps

you’re not a spring chicken - stay off those ledges
 

johnr

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When did it happen? Use the PRICE protocol (protect, rest, ice, compression, elevation) for a week and see how it feels. Definitely a sprain of the MCL. If not improving after that then get an MRI. No reason to get an MRI right away.

its been about 9 days.
swelling is about half what it was.
 

shorthairman

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If you are not resting it, icing it, compressing it, and keeping it elevated the swelling might not go down. And you need to ice it multiple times a day. If it were me and the swelling hasn't gone down, I would not use heat. Ice it for 15 minutes in the morning then wrap it if you have to be on your feet. Ice it at lunch, ice it at supper, ice it before you go to bed and wrap it when you aren't icing it. Sleep with a rolled up sleeping bag or a couple pillows under your leg so it is elevated all night and keep it elevated during the day as much as possible. As others have said you will need an MRI to tell soft tissue damage, or a knowledgeable doctor that knows how to check for damaged ligaments.
Had an extensive knee injury in HS on a Friday night and went to a small town local clinic. Guy took xrays and sent me on my way in about 20 minutes with a "hyperextension". Long story short...had an athletic trainer look at it the next day with 0 pieces of equipment, and had surgery on Monday to repair damn near everything in my knee.
 


3Roosters

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Were MRI's and such shut down as non essential during early COVID back in March? No clue, just asking. If so, i'd get it done asap in case they shut down again. Or even do tele health if you have it available. Im sure they will guide you with what you should do. Get well soon!
 

ndlongshot

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Go get an orthopedic consult, or go see a physical therapist first. Its likely that both will each refer you to the other.

But if you have a good ortho surgeon, he should be able to diagnose pretty darn quick whether you need surgery, or therapy.

Good Luck.
 

johnr

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When did this happen

Saturday the 10th. The swelling is about half what it was, but the bruising is grotesque
Knee issue.jpg
 


Petras

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Look up Dr. Joshi. Hes about the best orthopedic surgeon in the state.
He fixed my knee when I broke the patellar tendon. I was out in Montana on an elk hunt about 3 months after it happened. Another thing that really helps with the swelling is ultrasound therapy. My chiropractor does it for me and I can tell you first hand it is phenomenal for taking down swelling and reducing pain.
 

guywhofishes

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good lord is that photo gross

also - horses look 6 ft high at the saddle but they’re usually only 5

so quit exaggerating the height of Ledge (the horse you were drunk on)
 
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SDMF

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To my untrained non-medical eyes, that looks like a recipe for a DVT which is reason enough for another look.
 

eyexer

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Look up Dr. Joshi. Hes about the best orthopedic surgeon in the state.
He fixed my knee when I broke the patellar tendon. I was out in Montana on an elk hunt about 3 months after it happened. Another thing that really helps with the swelling is ultrasound therapy. My chiropractor does it for me and I can tell you first hand it is phenomenal for taking down swelling and reducing pain.
I agree. I have an ultrasound and it is amazing on soft tissue
 

riverview

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omg you know it is a good injury when a bruise like that comes out DAM. valley bone and joint in grand forks is where i have been referred too for joint issues.
 


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