Diary of a knee injury

Thought it was time for a knee update as we're officially in autumn. I've been very good with Physio, although range of movement only just about there, still isn't easy to do, I'm due to move up a group in Physio either tomorrow (unlikely) or next week, I'm still limping but crutches were ditched back in July.

I've been told I should be able to ski (with brace) by march, although reading Rancheros report above makes me think perhaps that's a bit optimistic, however I shall see and if I do go it won't be back to my normal self by any stretch of the imagination.

Getting there, slowly :)

Ouch; maybe you'll be have a great late season. Tignes still goes strong right through to the first week in May, so there's hope. Best wishes for a speedier-than-feared recovery Nelly.

Yeah guess you'll just have to wait and see, wouldn't rush into it! Good luck though, hope all goes smoothly!

Thanks :) I've just read my first post from back in February, and with hindsight they hesitated for far too long about the surgery, if I'd gone in sooner I wouldn't be having the problems I have now. My knee is still bent from being stuck for 3 months in the same position, it will go straight now but the muscles have deteriorated so much I can't keep it straight.

So strengthening is the key to success, I'm doing all the right things, just got to take it a day at a time :)

It is difficult to put in the time & effort required for strengthening, when you are working. It is possible to shorten the recovery timescale ~ but this may need two or three work sessions per day, and possibly include different recovery sessions.

An instructor friend had an October accident at Hintertux. Because this was Austria, diagnosis was pretty well instant, and operation took place within two or three days. I think the injury was similar, but slightly worse than yours, (although I cannot be certain of this, I am working off the severity of her operation).

I remember that like you, the lady struggled for several months, but she did recover, and was skiing the following winter. Again, this being Austria, the physiotherapy was geared towards recovery for skiers.

Like you she is an advanced skier, and so the strengthening requirement is high. It is really important that the physio is not just a sports person, but is a ski sports trained person.

Another year on, and this lady is now fitter and faster than ever before.

Thanks DM, I do my physio 5/7 days (as instructed), although I've gone a small step back with anything weight bearing at the moment because my knee is quite painful (basically because I'm not walking correctly and haven't for 6 months so there is stress on other parts of my leg/knee). When I move on to the next group at physio I will be with the sports physio so I will tell him that I want to do ski specific physio, whether he knows anything or not is another thing, but I have already been told that I will be fitter than I was pre-injury. At the end of the day it's down to me and what I do. I know when I do ski this winter it will be a few runs a day bimbling around, nothing too strenuous :)

Nelly and Ranchero - been following your trials and tribulations over the last 12 months or so. It looks like you are both making good progress but obviously backed by lots of hard work. Fingers crossed for you both for next season.....but don't push too hard! Nelly - bimbling around sounds like a good idea. At least you'll be up in the mountains.

Although nowhere near as serious as your knee injuries, I did completely knacker my right ankle 3 years ago whilst messing about sledging with my children. The xray confirmed that there was no break but it swelled up like a balloon and I reckon the '......clonk.....clonk......' noise I heard at the time was a dislocation and then immediate relocation! Had about 8 physio sessions to help with the recovery. The sports physio person was amazed that I didn't break any bones. On crutches for 6 weeks and limping for 6 months and still in pain at times after 12 months but it eventually healed, although still makes very strange clicking noises. Luckily, clamped into a ski boot it gives me no trouble at all.

We (myself and better half) are the wrong side of 40 and are working extremely hard to maintain our fitness levels and also control our weight to keep pressure of our limbs as much as possible. We want to be skiing into our 70's! My wife has a slightly troublesome knee and is heading off to hospital today for an xray. Hopefully prevention is better than a cure.

Anyway, keep your spirits up and it will all be worth it in the end. :D

Well here is is my update, managed 2700m vertical and 3500m descent today and can barely walk. Still plenty of work to do before December.