toejam
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Post by toejam on May 30, 2020 11:56:26 GMT -8
Feb. 28 I ran ~6 miles of mountainous trail after doing a similar run the previous day. Nothing unusual for me. I've done these runs many times. I always run about 4 days/week and usually hike or run in the mountains on weekends. It felt great and I went home feeling the satisfaction of time in a beautiful setting and that I wasn't old and weak yet.
The next morning my right knee was sore and swollen. I wasn't able to run without a lot of pain so I didn't. It didn't get better and hiking the next weekend made it worse. I got x-rays and physical therapy until the place shut down. I've done some short hikes and backpacking trips, and the knee is always sore and swollen afterwards. I try to maintain some fitness riding a bike, which makes the knee feel better. After 3 months it's only marginally better.
I think it's an MCL injury based on my own research and therapist opinion. I'm just venting here because I have a Glacier NP trip coming up in July and may not be able to hike much.
Anybody else dealt with an MCL injury?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on May 31, 2020 8:53:25 GMT -8
Not me. I had cartilage damage and surgery to remove it in my left knee, about 40 years ago. Only thing I know about MCLs I have learned from sports on TV.
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Post by oldbill on Jun 2, 2020 15:08:50 GMT -8
Until you obtain a diagnosis by an orthopedic surgeon, it's probably best to stay off it as much as possible, practicing RICE. It may be MCL, it may be something entirely different. Usually MCL tears are acute and you will know immediately, not the next day. If it is a tendonitis issue, it may take 6 months or longer. (I'm barely able to hike 4 months after a plantar fasciitis tear).
I've had 2 knee injuries. First: a fibular instability leading to a ganglion cyst. It remained undiagnosed (by an OS no less) for a year. Only after another OS re-examined it was it properly diagnosed. Solution: reconstructive surgery. Done in Feb. I was backpacking by September. The second is a Baker's cyst that can, under heavy use/plyometrics/boulder-hopping,... result in tightness and modest pain. ICE, Vitamin I and rest help. Whether it's due to underlying OA remains unknown.
Bottom line is to get an OS diagnosis. MRI's are likely needed for certainty. At least the X-rays can rule out fractures. Good luck!
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jun 12, 2020 6:05:07 GMT -8
I've been doubting the MCL self-diagnosis because it's just not healing like an MCL injury should. I don't have popping and catching like some meniscus injuries and the pain is near the MCL, but it seems more likely it's a meniscus problem.
I finally got to see an orthopedist yesterday - wish I could have gotten in two months ago. Hopefully I can get an MRI soon and figure out how to fix it.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 17, 2020 22:02:11 GMT -8
but it seems more likely it's a meniscus problem. Could be. That's the most common cause of the symptoms you described and the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jul 2, 2020 11:55:22 GMT -8
Saw the MRI images and got a cortisone shot today. A tiny meniscus tear on the inner thin portion. Dr. called it a "nothing burger," but of course it's been healing on its own for 4 months. A little bit of arthritis evident as well. Getting old sucks.
It's naturally gotten to where I can hike pretty well with a brace. Had to cancel the Glacier trip because they won't give us a permit to hike across the park, but I don't think it would have killed me.
Maybe I don't need to be a trail runner in my 60's. Just have to revel in the glory days of my 50's.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 2, 2020 12:47:05 GMT -8
Saw the MRI images and got a cortisone shot today. A tiny meniscus tear on the inner thin portion. Dr. called it a "nothing burger," but of course it's been healing on its own for 4 months. A little bit of arthritis evident as well. My doc said there's poor correlation between how bad a tear looks on an MRI and how much discomfort it causes. At the time he was the orthopedist for a handful of minor league teams in different sports in the NY area, so he's seen a ton of them. He told me if I were a 21-year-old aspiring baseball player he might operate, but sent me to PT instead. It worked out very well.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jul 23, 2020 14:11:57 GMT -8
Shot in my knee did wonders. Went out on an overnight to replace a backcountry crapper. After that the OTHER KNEE started having pain at the MCL and swelling - the same symptoms but milder. Started wearing a brace on both knees. Went out last week for another weekend in the woods. Hiked about 13 miles on Saturday & felt great. Sunday I was meeting a friend for more hiking and camping, but climbing off the mountain started to really hurt my "good" knee. Met my friend at the road and said I needed to bail out and ice my knee. Back to the depressing and frustrating COVID world Went to the doctor hoping for another shot. She said the fact that the first shot worked so well indicates arthritis and injected the other knee. Prescribed me a steroid for taking on my upcoming week-long hike in the Sierra. Damn. Wish I'd torn my MCL.
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