> Everyone who reads my posts must first click on my user
> name and read my profile.
> I commiserate with you on navigating this board. I have
> been contributing for at least four or five years, and I
> still have trouble, expecially if a "naughty"
> word is used. And the Board's definition of "naughty
> language" is far more conservative than a fire and
> brimstone pastor's.
> Its hard to know about the lateral collateral without the
> benefit of an exam. If the knee is unstable when this
> ligament is stessed, then early surgery is absolutely
> indicated. And it matters not whether or not you want an
> active lifestyle or not.
> If the ligament is stable, and the MRI is just yielding
> white noise (the usual situation) then a locked brace for a
> month is quite reasonable.
> The ACL would need to be reconstructed if (1) the lateral
> ligaments need operative repair, or (2) you want an active
> lifestyle (running, cutting, or pivoting sports) This issue
> is entirely independant of the lateral ligament issue noted
> earlier.
> The big issue here is whether or not you are getting the
> best care from the current doc. The fact that you seem to
> be in the dark leaves some signifigant questions.
> One should always be advised that the average ortho doc in
> the US operates on ten ACLs per year. As an example, I
> operate on ten per month, and I am far from either being
> unique or special. The results with an experienced guy, are
> usually far superior. You shoud do some checking on who
> will be holding the knife. The best way to do that is to
> learn from other patients, not from slick marketing or
> sports team affiliations. (which usually come from purchase
> of a sponsership)
I've got a follow-up with my OS next Tuesday. I've been experiencing significant swelling in the ankle of my injured leg. Is this common or something to be concerned about? I sprained that ankle a number of years ago and it swells after playing golf or being on my feet all day but never this much... It's 1" larger in circumference than my other ankle.
