Male 65kg 170cm born 1968
Regular moderate exercise
Mad keen skier (low end expert)
Windsurf, cycling
Occupation: Surgeon (with zero orthopedic knowledge retained from training years, I hasten to add)
1994 aged 24. Left ACL partial tear from ski wipeout at speed.
Young and stupid - just thought it was a bad sprain (yup you read right) and skied back down the mountain carrying the left ski. (yup you're getting a good psychological and IQ profile here).
Didn't have it examined until following pre-season when I had an ortho consult but failed to attend an MRI appointment.
Took months for the painto go - mainly when the lower leg was hanging like when legs crossed sitting in a chair). That next ski season was fine and had some of my best times then. Reaffirmed my denial of a serious problem and skiied happily for 12 more years!
2007 Aged 39. Left MCL mild partial tear from a slow twisting ski injury. Was using slightly heavy K2 2007 Recons.
MRI showed an old ACL tear (first time I realised the ACL was previously involved although the physio had thought so with some laxity noted when I was examined straight after the MCL injury)
2008 - mild joint stiffness after sitting at a desk for over an hour. Mild bony tenderness 1.5 inches below medial tibial tubercle. Occasional clicking but no lock ups or giving way.
Currently training with cycling, ergo rowing, half squats.
Future plans:
Cautious ski season planned in July 08.
Considering (actually probably going ahead with) custom functional shell brace like the CTi Custom Fit.
I hope to be able to continue skiing and windsurfing for another 20 years.
And yes I am very concerned for the future.
No surgery so far. Not been scoped either. I'll be retrieving my MRI scans to see if after 13 years with ACL laxity (presumably) whether there's any meniscal thinning. If so I'd seriously consider ACL surgery. Also considering seeing another ortho who specialises in sports injuries (no offense to a good friend and colleague who is an excellent lower limb surgeon).
Any expert comments welcome.
