Knees - When to see doctor? *UPDATE*

GnarShredd · Last edited by GnarShredd on Oct 23, 2012 12:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

Those of you with knee problems/injuries, when did you know it was time to see a doc? Been doing the RICE thing and wrapping it and that's helped a bit but I've been limping since I injured it Saturday at the cable. I'm hoping I just strained my MCL but I always hear about people not realizing the damage they did and just making it worse by getting on the water too soon.

I can put weight on it ok, just bending hurts a little (kind of just feels like muscle soreness) and it's still a bit swollen and stiff. Just overall feels kind of weak but I'm not sure if I just pulled it or if there's a bigger problem.

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

when unsure, go see the doctor!!

Lemmy · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 37 City: Rotterdam

Nonono.. that should be "Three days later". THEN go see the doctor!

(on a more seerious note, he's right. When in doubt, ask a professional)

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

Gnar....please go now...

ediotism · Outlaw Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 124

there is no substitute for getting it checked out. when you're at the doctors they can do some simple movement tests and usually X Ray to help determine what's wrong.

do it soon.

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 18, 2012 6:42 am Post subject:

Making the appointment for ASAP and taking it easy until then.

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

what ediotism said...he'll know right away if you need to be worrying after the movement test

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 18, 2012 11:45 am Post subject:

Orthopedic appointment set for Tuesday. Gonna call a few other places to see if I can get in earlier.

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

attaboy!

ediotism · Outlaw Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 124

good luck mate, hope it's nothing serious. injuries are a bummer.

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 19, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

ediotism, I'm really hoping I'm only out a couple of weeks. I've been riding super well lately and have just been really excited in general to ride for some reason. Had a few more tricks I wanted to stick this season. Evil or Very Mad

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 23, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject:

Just back from the doc and things are lookin good! Everything looks normal as far as x-rays show and there wasn't a problem in his mobility tests enough to bother with an MRI right now. Doc just said to do things as normally as possible and see how I feel in about 3 weeks. Said worst-case is I have a torn meniscus but things could heal-up fine on its own. Huge relief.

He's thinking my knee cap tried to dislocate and just stretched some stuff but no tears!

mgs917 · Addict Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 532 City: Spartanburg

Good news!! Good luck the rest of the season. Are you doing any comps soon?

da Liks · Addict Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 594

thank god, kneeproblems suck! really glad to hear that GS..

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 24, 2012 5:10 am Post subject:

mgs917, No comps soon but I definitely want to ride through winter to get ready for the 2013 cable season. Haven't competed in years but I want to start again, not getting any younger!

CPGrandelli · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 90

How many of you guys wear braces as preventative measures? I'm obviously done for the season right now, but just wanted to see how many people do it? My knees took a beating this past season so I was considering keeping braces on this upcoming season just to take care of my self.

ediotism · Outlaw Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 124

i will have to wear a hinged one when i restart wakeboarding, it'll give me the support/preventive measure from twisting/sense of security that i'm gonna need.

but i'm going to make sure that i don't just rely on it, but do plenty of physio and gradually move on to a neopene soft brace, and none when i feel OK about it.

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

I tore my meniscus 4 years ago, and opted not to have surgery after listening to the doctor's recommendations. My tear was very minimal, but still caused me pain for the first couple days.

I ride with a brace every time now, and there are some days where it will be a little sore, but I don't have any loss of mobility.

Your situation sounds very similar. Just wear a brace when you ride!

CPGrandelli · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 90

Sounds good guys, thanks!

Lemmy · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 37 City: Rotterdam

I've visited a therapist a while ago, also with knee isues. We've tried several options, however we haven't had the results we were looking for yet, so all I can do at the moment is to stay aware of what I do, try not to overload and make the joint, muscles and all else as strong as possible with workouts and in the gym.

She explicitly told me NOT to use a brace as a preventative measure, even though it seems a good idea, it actually prevents the knee from getting as strong as it can be. As an aid for healing yes, as a preventative a definite no. Same as wearing a cast, once that's removed compare the cast limb to the non-cast one... That kinda effect.

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

Lemmy,

I only wear a brace when I ride to prevent any movement that could further disrupt my knee. I am doing other activities constantly (softball, running, biking) that have strengthen my knee.

A friend of mine is an athletic trainer and recommended the brace while riding as a preventative measure.

Lemmy · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 37 City: Rotterdam

Well I guess I'm in a much earlier stage then.. haven't busted my knee yet. I see your point and I guess at that stage my therapist would probably tell me the same. But as it is, my injury doesn't come from boarding. I was (and am) just very cautious I don't bust it after all, however wearing a brace at this point was deemed pointless.
I guess there's different kinds of preventative measures Wink

In a way, you are just trying to save your already busted knee from getting shot again. Right?

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

Lemmy,

Very true. I was trying to help out the OP since he has a similar condition.

Wearing a knee brace while never previously injuring your knee could quite possibly be bad for you. I don't know, because I never asked until I had knee problems.

See, now everyone is happy Very Happy

_fng_ · Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 5 City: NB

Lemmy, I'm a PT and would whole-heartedly disagree with the therapist you talked with. The idea of having of having external support leading to a weakening of the underlying tissue makes sense but has only been shown to be true in those that wear trunk braces (back braces, lifting belts, etc). Ankle braces and knee braces, especially those only worn during athletic activity, have not been shown to deteriorate the function of the joint outside the brace. Hell every linemen in the NFL and top NCAA schools has knee braces preventatively and they are not have issues.

If a brace would make you feel better/more confident riding and the cost isn't an issue go for it!

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:36 am Post subject:

I'm planning on getting back to the gym during winter season so I can come back strong. I always seem to hear mixed reactions about knee braces so unless a doctor recommends it I'm just going to try and just get in to better shape/strengthen my knees. I didn't really do much exercise outside of light running 3-4 times a week and wakeboarding every weekend.

shaggyboarder · Posted: Nov 10, 2012 6:39 pm Post subject:

You dont need a knee brace unless you have a major surgery like acl replacement or have partial tears. Knee braces will only make you knee weaker as it will start to rely on it rather than your muscle strength... If you do go the knee brace route get a custom fitted one. I just started riding again and insurance went with the don joy and so far so good.

If you ever want to ride revolution hit me up.

Lemmy · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 37 City: Rotterdam