Latest posts for the topic "ligament advice?"

ligament advice?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:26:14 GMT

Went on third skiing holiday to Les Arcs over new year. I fell on my 1st day :( and got a grade 1-2 sprain in my left mcl. Unfortunately / fortunately we have a week booked in Tignes at easter (12 wks after accident).
Dr says "it's unlikely" that I'll be able to ski, Physio says "course you can as long as you take it easy". Who's right???
Having physio twice a week, can drive my car now, can walk down (not too steep) steps, don't need to wear my brace anymore so it seems to be healing.
Please help, I want to ski!!!!!!!!!

Re:ligament advice?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:29:32 GMT

The advice I've been given in the past for mcl sprain is the same as your physio is giving you, "just try not to do the same thing again".

Work hard on the physio and maybe get a wobble board.
Keeping your legs in shape is the best protection for knees, esp thighs muscles as they pull the joint together. My cross training is inline skating, which is great for recovery (but also how I sprained my mcl).

good luck

Trencher

Re:ligament advice?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:27:29 GMT

thank you, I'm encouraged.
I've always been over cautious with any injury so as not to delay recovery - should i get on my roller blades yet? My only fear is injury before I go or on day one again... :cry:

Re:ligament advice?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:58:00 GMT

I'd echo trencher / your physios advice. Doctors would have you do nothing if they got their way - I think physios are more qualified in these areas. I took my phsios advice - which is same as yours, kept reasonably close to my comfort zone and have just had a great 3 days in grindelwald. Working hard on the exercise is keys. Oh I also wear my brace for extra support when skiing.

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:33:37 GMT

I ruptured my mcl and fractured the plateau of the tibia on my last morning skiing last Feb.Did the exercises my physio recommended every day for 8 months ! knee now fully recovered and pain free. My advice is to do exercises every day and take care on slopes . I am looking forward to skiing mid March.Bonnes Vacances a Tignes !

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:04:17 GMT

carona

As you do inline skate, may I suggest a couple of good exercises (if you can double pump, you are way beyond this).

In a carpark with a slope, parallel turns (inside foot ahead and weighted). Slalom turns (feet parallel around cones 2M apart (or the intersection of the car space lines).

The one that really builds muscle, is to slalom uphill. In order to do this you must really pump the turns (try to pump with the inside leg as well).

Trencher

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:26:14 GMT

Also, wear your pads for inline skating. That way you won't be concerned to protect your knee however you fall.

Trencher

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:11:59 GMT

you've all been so helpful. I'm feeling the happiest I have since 30th december 2007 and feel I can now start looking forward to Tignes. Thanks guys :-D

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:58:01 GMT

From my experience of football injuries ( I have been coaching for 11 years) I would say that for proper assessment you need to see a sports physio. Doctors just tell you not to do anything, rest it, take it easy, whereas actually the best advice is to get the damaged area working as soon as possible, without overdoing it of course.

Knee ligament is a delicate area, but if your main leg muscles are well developed and reasonably in shape, you stand less chance of damaging your knee, especially from something like falling over. The obvious thing to say is dont fall over, but thats not always possible, even for the best skier. Someone I know who was a proficient skier fell over in a lift queue having descended a red and broke her arm! Its easily done.

I can only echo the views above, using a wobble board is good, and ensuring the quads are well in shape by doing leg lifts and squats against a wall will really help. But be aware that once damaged, there will ALWAYS be a weakness there. Dont let it play on your mind, as a lot of these type of injuries put people off in their heads before they have even got on the snow.

If you prepare sensibly, you ought to be fine, but DO listen to the physio, and do plenty of your own work too.

Good luck. No one wants to miss a weeks skiing.

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:50:28 GMT

Thanks Tony. I know how it happened - trying to keep up with my two tearaways and husband! I'll definitely stick to my own pace in future. :oops:
I've got a two hour private lesson booked on the first day in Tignes so I think that will really help me. Also, it's with a big group so I can ski with people more at my level.
It's really sore today, my physio has told me there's a fine line between doing enough and too much so I think I'm being too keen.
I replied to your Obergurgl/Hochgurgl post yesterday. Did you decide against it?

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:56:59 GMT

Good to read all your advice. Hit from behind by out of control boarder at Sierra at Tahoe 2 weeks ago. Couldn't weight bear through left knee immediately afterwards(the phrase "unstable joint" doesn't quite describe how weird/ghastly that feels) and got stretchered off hill and patched up. Now off crutches and knee brace,doing quads, walking and swimming, seen by doctor and waiting for an MRI.
Should I be seeing a sports physio? Live in countryside outside Dundee Scotland so not sure what to do....
Very keen to ski again..
Anything else I should be doing?
Any comments gratefully accepted,
Karen

Re:ligament advice?

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:04:24 GMT

I feel your pain.
Apparently 90% of snowboarders are doing it wrong!
Only thing I could tell you for sure is that physio really helps.
Hope it goes ok

Re:ligament advice?

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 05:47:32 GMT

carona wrote:you've all been so helpful. I'm feeling the happiest I have since 30th december 2007 and feel I can now start looking forward to Tignes. Thanks guys :-D

I did this last year. Take it easy and start riding a bike but keep the drag low and build up over the weeks. Working your butt off is good but if it starts to loosen take it easy. Your trying to inline skate after doing it? You've got guts :) I'd be concerned that it would give out

Re:ligament advice?

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:34:56 GMT

No, haven't had my skates on yet, but I've got a long sloping driveway so will be taking Trenchers advice in a couple of weeks. Planning to cycle this weekend, nice and easy - won't try to keep up with my boys! Love the wobble board. Really appreciate all the advice.
Saw physio again today who reckons it's 50-60% healed with 7 and a half weeks to go until Tignes.... :D :D :D

Re:ligament advice?

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:38:44 GMT

KarenhitatTahoe wrote:Good to read all your advice. Hit from behind by out of control boarder at Sierra at Tahoe 2 weeks ago. Couldn't weight bear through left knee immediately afterwards(the phrase "unstable joint" doesn't quite describe how weird/ghastly that feels) and got stretchered off hill and patched up. Now off crutches and knee brace,doing quads, walking and swimming, seen by doctor and waiting for an MRI.
Should I be seeing a sports physio? Live in countryside outside Dundee Scotland so not sure what to do....
Very keen to ski again..
Anything else I should be doing?
Any comments gratefully accepted,
Karen

Most definitely, go and see a sports physio. Try Dundee or Dundee United, they will probably hold sessions for non footballers.

Re:ligament advice?

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 10:28:58 GMT

I ruptured ACL in both knees a few years back and had 2 reconstructions. I ski blacks now but moguls are not fun. I ski in neoprene braces with plastic hinges but this is to remind me I am not 100%. I also take my donjoy brace(it just fits under ski trousers) but I never needed to use it. I reckon I could still ski easy runs to bars with it on if I had a small sprain.
Be brave but be sure it is strong.