Skiing the trees at Stowe three days ago. Thigh deep powder and I'm on tele skis, but not super wide so skis were under the snow. As I made a 90 deg turn to my left, my left ski caught on a buried fallen branch. I fell forward head first and twisted left around the stuck ski, but the binding released, as did the right binding. Surprisingly, it is my right knee that suffered the trauma, I believe from an over-extension as I fell head first. I do not think there was much twisting of the right leg, and the leg was definitely fully extended, so not the normal position for popping the ACL.
I may have heard two pops as I went head-first, but I'm telling myself that was the bindings releasing! No that I think of it, I didn't feel any sensation when I heard the pops.
I didn't have any pain, but the knee was definitely wobbly when I got up. I skied to the lodge very gingerly; knee was only felt stable with the knees bent . Upright, the knee felt unstable. Got some ice on it and had full mobility, no pain, no swelling, full weight bearing the rest of the day, but it did feel wobbly. Stairs no problem.
Next day, still no swelling. Had a PA look at it and do Lachman test on both legs. She said they felt about the same in terms of looseness. BTW, I had a 100% ACL tear in the left knee 20 years ago. BIG pain and HUGE swelling. This week's injury NOTHING like the left knee.
So, today is Saturday. I gave it a lot of RICE Thursday and Friday along with ibuprofen. Today I had to drive home to CT, so no Ice and no Elevation. Symptoms today:
- no noticeable swelling
- MCL sore if I press on it, or perhaps it is soreness due to meniscus tear
- slight soreness on the LCL side with pressure, also perhaps it is soreness due to meniscus tear
- no bruising around the knee
- no locking, popping, clicking, etc.
- no pain or soreness walking
- knee is stiff
- perhaps some instability - I am fearful of over-extension. I may just be having some reflexive twitching rather than instability
- I have not had any falls, even walked on rain soaked wet ice and slush all day yesterday for various reasons, no prob.
I'm walking almost normally, but being very careful not to twist or over-extend (I'm pretty clumsy).
I'm hoping I have a bad sprain due to the over-extension - stretched out the MCL and perhaps a meniscus tear. Praying it is not ACL/PCL.
Thoughts?
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