Knee injury

[Kelly Jessop]

she's an md. she's just putting off the inevitable. silly lynne, go see your orthopod!

Health care professionals are sometimes like car mechanics,they will drive the car with a problem,knowing the level of detriment of the problem,and how far they can go. I had a class that had their check out dive,and while I was there I got a high fever. I figured the cold water below the thermocline would bring the fever down.

If the ACL is partially torn or completely torn,and there isn't significant hemoarthrosis,then continued activity can be done,but with some debility. Look at Denny Hamlin,professional race car driver,who has the same injury,and is going to compete with the aide of a brace,and have surgery in the off season. Cave diving kicks will be able to be accomplished,but pain will limit full knee extension. Going up and down steps with a load of gear will be very tenuous.

[flyguy199]

Hi Lynne,

I'm a physical therapist here in NJ and wouldn't recommend cave diving with an ACL rupture. As you already know, consult an orthopedic surgeon once your edema and joint effusion subside, and he/she will most likely want you to go for a MRI. If it is a rupture, and you want to have the surgery, then I would recommend an allograft over an autograft. Rehabilitation time is literally half (no donor site) and modern sterilization techniques are proven to not significantly weaken the allograft. If you really want to have the autograft then I think the semitendinosus is a better choice than the patellar tendon simply because of the post surgical patellar-femoral problems that most people experience. You also may want to consider an orthopod who utilizes PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) with the graft, as this can promote healing. Good luck with everything, take care.

[Sludge]

... I got a high fever. I figured the cold water below the thermocline would bring the fever down.

Yeah, that's the ticket!

[JahJahwarrior]

Sounds to me like you need to switch to sidemount and borrow a scooter. Should limit the weight you have to carry and the amount you need to fin.

[Ben M]

Sounds to me like you need to switch to sidemount and borrow a scooter. Should limit the weight you have to carry and the amount you need to fin.

and hire a sherpa......

[benjamin]

I tore both meniscus in my left knee at Ponderosa in Mexico the day after Thanksgiving. I came back to Texas in a lot of pain, got a MRI to confirm it. I had orthoscopic surgery December 14th, started light physical therapy a week later and increased the work load as I could handle it. I made 4 (backmount doubles) dives at Devil's Eye last week. Up and down the steps was a bit uncomfortable but felt great to be back in the water. When I was exiting on 3rd dive got a really bad cramp in left hamstring and calf, no joy from Maple Leaf to the Eye. Next day 4th dive was great. I obviously didn't do enough stretching during physical therapy, didn't seem to be that important to me... I was wrong. If you have an injury get a MRI, if it needs to be fixed get it done, be diligent with physical therapy and do alot of stretches on that leg, you're worth it.

[LCF]

Thanks, everybody!

As previously mentioned, I am an MD and an ER doc. And I'm HORRIBLE about taking care of myself, and typically keep going through anything. But I talked to the local pod today and he said he doesn't think it's an ACL, but probably a meniscus tear, and there's no urgency to diagnosing it or treating it, so I can put it off until July. So, if my knee keeps improving, I'm going to try a single tank dive or two this weekend, and I'm not giving up on the April cave trip just yet.

[sskasser]

Thanks, everybody!

As previously mentioned, I am an MD and an ER doc. And I'm HORRIBLE about taking care of myself, and typically keep going through anything. But I talked to the local pod today and he said he doesn't think it's an ACL, but probably a meniscus tear, and there's no urgency to diagnosing it or treating it, so I can put it off until July. So, if my knee keeps improving, I'm going to try a single tank dive or two this weekend, and I'm not giving up on the April cave trip just yet.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes! I look forward to reading your trip reports.

[sandy]

Lynn, one of my cave buddies recently tore his meniscus and may be having surgery soon. I will make sure he posts something for you after surgery.

Good luck with your knee. While I have not had knee issues, I managed to rip my distal bicep tendon away from the radius on January 2. Your arm looks a lot different when you bicep is next to your armpit! I had surgery a few days later and am still going thru rehab. With you background, it probably goes without saying but I ditto what Benjamin said about therapy and stretching. I can not say enough about my PT and the progress he has helped me with over the last 2 months. Needless to say, I have not been diving since the accident. Hopefully, the doctor will give me the go ahead to start diving again this Friday.

I have heard that it sucks to get old. I refuse to get old but do admit that some of my body parts may be out of warranty

[skip]

I can't help it. I tried not to post. but now I must. Everytime I read the title of this thread I can't help but hear the "rap" that Sam in "Cheers" did in the episode in which he was a tv sports-caster. "...a groin injurrrryyyyy; injurrrryyyy', a groin injurrryyy...."

forgive me. I know this is a serious thread, but I just can't help it!

-skip