Knee injury human

[huskydamage]

I have injured both knees (work-nothing to do with horses!) I can't ride or walk about properly and am so depressed.
I have supposedly sprained the ligaments in both knees but while both are sore and tight my right one is agony and has a spot on it I can barely touch. I got dragged over onto concrete.
People who have had this type of injury was it that painful and how long did it take to get better/before you were riding again?
Im not sure if I am making a fuss or not having not had this particular type of thing before

 

[Trouper]

So sorry to read this and, no, you are not making a fuss.

I don't have any personal experience of this particular type of injury but please treat yourself to a session with a good physio (if you haven't already). There are ways of helping the healing and incorporating the right kind of movement which will help the long-term outcome.

 

[criso]

Have you had an MRI, how long since you injured yourself?

I injured mine a few years ago and had to go back to the urgent care centre a few times as they just dismissed it as mild sprain. Once i got the MRI it showed a torn medial meniscus, ACL and a hairline fracture to the tibia and i was quickly referred to a specialist. I needed an operation and months of physio before and after the operation.

It could be a mild sprain needing just a few weeks rest or it could need intervention.

 

[oldie48]

Sorry to hear this. I've done cruciate ligaments in both knees skiing, damaged the meniscus and in 2019 I dislocated the kneecap in my left knee. All of these injuries took time to heal, at least 6 weeks and longer for the ligaments but I was borderline needing to have a harvested ligament repair in my right knee! Good physio is essential and building up the muscles that support the knee helped hugely. I am very careful of my knees, these days but I am in my 70's. I haven't found these injuries affected my riding once they were healed but my advice is not to rush it. I also had an MRI when I did my cruciates.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

You'll have to grin & bare it, unfortunately ligament injuries very often take longer to hear that a broken bones. I understand how you feel, been there & done that. Your ligament will heal in their own time. Don't be brave, take pain killers. If the doctor has given you nothing the use Ibuprofen & paracetamol. Use them together but check the pack for dosage. Obviously paracetamol is for the pain & Ibuprofen is for easing the swelling. Hope it all goes well for you.

 

[huskydamage]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't had any scans done was just a general look although they did give me some painkillers ? Sounds like this is going to be pretty rubbish and long! I am desperate to get back to riding ?
I am just concerned that one knee is so much more painful then the other when they apparently both have the same thing Its got like this weird swollen bit on the side which can't be touched.

 

[huskydamage]

Have you had an MRI, how long since you injured yourself?

I injured mine a few years ago and had to go back to the urgent care centre a few times as they just dismissed it as mild sprain. Once i got the MRI it showed a torn medial meniscus, ACL and a hairline fracture to the tibia and i was quickly referred to a specialist. I needed an operation and months of physio before and after the operation.

It could be a mild sprain needing just a few weeks rest or it could need intervention.

That sounds awful ? were you walking on that?!
Its been just over a week so I'm not sure if that is too soon to expect it to feel better painwise, just odd as the other knee which is supposedly spained as well is almost fine

 

[criso]

That sounds awful ? were you walking on that?!
Its been just over a week so I'm not sure if that is too soon to expect it to feel better painwise, just odd as the other knee which is supposedly spained as well is almost fine

Yes with a limp but i couldn't bend my knee. There's some techniques they can use to diagnose certain injuries, i remember the consultant demoing to a couple of interns but they don't seem to get passed down to places like the urgent care centre.

Some injuries just need time, some like the ACL can need reconstruction if they are severe enough, i was borderline and decided not to opt for the op, however some like the meniscus need surgery. It doesn't heal except in the very young. The torn bits were preventing me bending my knee and needed to be removed.
The fracture was hairline and non displaced and was actually the least serious but I'm annoyed the urgent care centre didn't spot it when they did an xray when i went back.

A week is not long, i left it 10 days before I went back but now i would push for an mri straightaway to know if it's something that just needs time or intervention.

 

[cowgirl16]

I'm going through something similar right now. Be prepared for a long recovery. Very long. I haven't been at work since Christmas. Long story short (ish) - I'd been having niggles and soreness in left hip and left knee for several weeks, put it down to stuggling through deep mud with heavy wheelbarrow. (horse was on DIY and living out, so all the heavy work was field work. YO could see I was in trouble, but never offered a fresh field - even though there were several paddocks that could have been offered!) Anyway, New years eve, arrived at yard, walking across the concrete, there was a loud crack sound from my left knee. Not a click, a really loud crack! Nearly passed out! So stupidly I carried on doing what I had to do. Next day, took myself off to A & E, had it X-rayed. No break found. Since then, I've had several visits to Doctor, and private physio. Physio hasn't worked so I've stopped that. Finally got referred to soft tissue injury clinic, and specialist arranged an MRI. He thinks there could be several things it could be. (can't remember them all). MRI was done 2 weeks ago, and I'm back to see specialist next week when I'll finally find out what the damage is, and what they can do. I have to walk with a stick. Can't ride. Can't walk the dog. Can't do my job (very physical). Useless around the house. Depressed doesn't begin to describe! Thankfully, just a few days after this came to a head, I managed to secure a new livery space for my horse. He's now looked after for me, and no more heavy work. God knows how I would have managed if this space hadn't come up! Anyway, what I would say is, do not just put up with this and hope it goes away - it might well not! Keep on at your doctor, and get it looked into. The road ahead might be a long one! Sorry if this has depressed you even more - but as a previous comment has said - ligament injuries can take a very long time to get better. Good luck OP, and I hope you heal very quickly!

 

[huskydamage]

I'm going through something similar right now. Be prepared for a long recovery. Very long. I haven't been at work since Christmas. Long story short (ish) - I'd been having niggles and soreness in left hip and left knee for several weeks, put it down to stuggling through deep mud with heavy wheelbarrow. (horse was on DIY and living out, so all the heavy work was field work. YO could see I was in trouble, but never offered a fresh field - even though there were several paddocks that could have been offered!) Anyway, New years eve, arrived at yard, walking across the concrete, there was a loud crack sound from my left knee. Not a click, a really loud crack! Nearly passed out! So stupidly I carried on doing what I had to do. Next day, took myself off to A & E, had it X-rayed. No break found. Since then, I've had several visits to Doctor, and private physio. Physio hasn't worked so I've stopped that. Finally got referred to soft tissue injury clinic, and specialist arranged an MRI. He thinks there could be several things it could be. (can't remember them all). MRI was done 2 weeks ago, and I'm back to see specialist next week when I'll finally find out what the damage is, and what they can do. I have to walk with a stick. Can't ride. Can't walk the dog. Can't do my job (very physical). Useless around the house. Depressed doesn't begin to describe! Thankfully, just a few days after this came to a head, I managed to secure a new livery space for my horse. He's now looked after for me, and no more heavy work. God knows how I would have managed if this space hadn't come up! Anyway, what I would say is, do not just put up with this and hope it goes away - it might well not! Keep on at your doctor, and get it looked into. The road ahead might be a long one! Sorry if this has depressed you even more - but as a previous comment has said - ligament injuries can take a very long time to get better. Good luck OP, and I hope you heal very quickly!

Thanks good luck to you too, that sounds horrible. Good to know I am not alone in feeling like this. Never thought I would get so upset because I can't put on socks! ? Its just a massive impact on daily activities/lifestyle

 

[windand rain]

I got dragged by a pony we both got wrapped in electric fencing he broke my ankle and smashed chunks off my knee. I need a knee replacement but haven't the time to do it. The damage to my knee wasnt picked up for 5 months it is still sore but livable with until it gets so I cannot walk well I will delay the surgery. OH is due surgery to clean up his knee and remove a cyst so will see how he recovers. That was 12 years ago you need to look after your knees and take your pain killers the protocol is every 4 hours or no more than 8 in 24 paracetamol and 2 hours later the ibuprofen dont take all at once as you could damage your stomach lining. Dont miss any and dont take too many

 

[cowgirl16]

Meant to put in my comment - don't be reluctant to take painkillers - I live on the things - paracetamol and ibuprofen. I know ibuprofen is linked to stomach problems, but my GP prescribed another drug (omeprazole?) which counteracts the effects if you get problems. She also prescribed Codeine, but I try and avoid that as it makes me sleepy, (works though!). Our company Occupational Therapist advised wearing a knee brace which I've been using for a few weeks now - not the most comfortable thing to wear, but does give some support. You're definitely not alone in this OP - it's surprising how many people have got knackered knees!

 

[oldie48]

I'm going through something similar right now. Be prepared for a long recovery. Very long. I haven't been at work since Christmas. Long story short (ish) - I'd been having niggles and soreness in left hip and left knee for several weeks, put it down to stuggling through deep mud with heavy wheelbarrow. (horse was on DIY and living out, so all the heavy work was field work. YO could see I was in trouble, but never offered a fresh field - even though there were several paddocks that could have been offered!) Anyway, New years eve, arrived at yard, walking across the concrete, there was a loud crack sound from my left knee. Not a click, a really loud crack! Nearly passed out! So stupidly I carried on doing what I had to do. Next day, took myself off to A & E, had it X-rayed. No break found. Since then, I've had several visits to Doctor, and private physio. Physio hasn't worked so I've stopped that. Finally got referred to soft tissue injury clinic, and specialist arranged an MRI. He thinks there could be several things it could be. (can't remember them all). MRI was done 2 weeks ago, and I'm back to see specialist next week when I'll finally find out what the damage is, and what they can do. I have to walk with a stick. Can't ride. Can't walk the dog. Can't do my job (very physical). Useless around the house. Depressed doesn't begin to describe! Thankfully, just a few days after this came to a head, I managed to secure a new livery space for my horse. He's now looked after for me, and no more heavy work. God knows how I would have managed if this space hadn't come up! Anyway, what I would say is, do not just put up with this and hope it goes away - it might well not! Keep on at your doctor, and get it looked into. The road ahead might be a long one! Sorry if this has depressed you even more - but as a previous comment has said - ligament injuries can take a very long time to get better. Good luck OP, and I hope you heal very quickly!

When I dislocated my kneecap the sound was pretty loud but it seems that you might also have ruptured a ligament in the process. Sorry but it sounds as if you might be in for a long haul fwiw I did mine doing a simple exercise designed to get me a bit fitter. Oh the irony!

 

[Armchair Eventer]

I am the expert on knees. I tore the meniscus in my left knee falling off and getting dragged when I was 18 or so. It did heal but then I had issues with the one in my right knee from too much long distance running. Then I tore a ligament in my left knee several decades later at a trade fair, it took about 6 weeks to heal but bearing in mind I had to go on a couple of business trips and several flights with it, neither of which was ideal. Then I fractured my right knee cap slipping over and falling on a business trip in Turkey on a wet winter's day. I did get exemplary medical treatment and very good value at a private hospital. And then the ligament in my left knee cap blew up again last March at the start of lockdown 1. The one thing that has got me through all the strains and pains has been arnica cream. I know that it normally recommended for bruising but I find it really great for many muscular and joint ailments.

 

[cowgirl16]

When I dislocated my kneecap the sound was pretty loud but it seems that you might also have ruptured a ligament in the process. Sorry but it sounds as if you might be in for a long haul fwiw I did mine doing a simple exercise designed to get me a bit fitter. Oh the irony!

Oh goody!!

 

[Supertrooper]

I have injured both knees (work-nothing to do with horses!) I can't ride or walk about properly and am so depressed.
I have supposedly sprained the ligaments in both knees but while both are sore and tight my right one is agony and has a spot on it I can barely touch. I got dragged over onto concrete.
People who have had this type of injury was it that painful and how long did it take to get better/before you were riding again?
Im not sure if I am making a fuss or not having not had this particular type of thing before

I fell onto my left knee last June, totally my own fault as I was climbing over a rope barrier that I’d put up ?. Got my foot caught and couldn’t put my hands down to save myself as had stuff in them

Never felt pain like it and was black and blue for weeks, had it xrayed and no bone damage but showed I had arthritis in it (not related to fall)

The skin on my knee was totally numb for along time. GP said may never be able to have normal sensation there again but gradually it has come back after a lot of nerve pain

Biggest help has been acupuncture, may be worth a try. Plus ibuprofen gel and knee support, oh and Epsom salt baths

Really hope it gets better for you

 

[Supertrooper]

I’m already on paracetamol, codryramol and Gabapentin but agree take whatever pain meds you need

 

[minesadouble]

In your position I'd be finding the best physio I possibly could.

Honestly, a really good physio, ideally a high level sports specialist, can cut recovery time in half with the right therapies/rehab programme.

Reputation is everything when it comes to choosing and it probably won't come cheap but provided you can afford it its worth every penny and then some.

 

[wren123]

When my husband hurt his knees the knee specialist told my husband the most important thing is to get any swelling down and not to do anything when swollen as you will be damaging the knee further. He diagnosed my husbands problem, torn both his meniscus, before the mri just from examination, the mri confirmed it.
Once swelling down he went to the private physio the consultant recommended and she gave exercises to strengthen muscles around the knee and to strengthen glutes, the are needed to help hold knee in correct place. He had no problem with his knee now.

 

[Parrotperson]

you should see an orthopaedic surgeon really. If you went to A&E they would referred you.

I did everything to one of my knees including (but not limited to!) a tibia plateau fracture and a complete ACL tear.

Its only just right now 13 months later and that's with proper physio and being monitored by orthopaedics.

Don't be tempted to rush it. Worse thing you can do. You could dod permanent damage. I'd see your doctor and get help. Good luck.

 

[Cob Life]

I have damaged my LCL and a few years ago the ACL in the same knee. The ACL never healed properl as I didn’t take it seriously, didn’t rest it as I should have done and never healed properly.

With my LCL I felt like I was making too much fuss but after a visit to minor injuries they confirmed I wasn’t and I was told to rest completely for a few days then slo return to light exercise. It’s healing much better this time and I’m hoping to return to riding the well behaved one 5-6 weeks post injury.