Last week, I went on what was meant to be a wonderful skiing holiday in Morzine in the French Alps. I have skied for 35 years and never had a serious incident. I have heli-skied, skied down couloirs and multiple times off piste. However, one week ago I was pottering down a nice easy blue when I found myself in the air with my right ski still on and the back of it wedged into the snow. As I fell my body and right knee went firmly to the right while my ski and boot remained rigid. I felt immediate pain and a wrench in my knee. Oh no, my ACL!!!!!
In my life as a physio, I have heard this story many times before. However, now it is me who has the injury I have treated for 30 years!
How do you know if you’ve ruptured your ACL?
The classic description of an ACL injury is a “loud pop” and immediate swelling. Well there was a loud sound and wrench but not a pop as such. I was floored and in so much pain, I groaned and lay still. A worried friend came straight to me and took my ski off, then I was able to move my leg.
Being a physio, and having some knowledge of what I had done, I was happy to move it straight away. My knee felt sore but manageable. Once, I stood up and put some weight through the leg; it felt wobbly. Amazingly I could stand and put on my skis. We decided to ski down very slowly and carefully and get home without being confined to the dreaded blood wagon!
Somehow, and with the help of the loan of a hinged knee brace from another aged friend, I got back to my chalet. Ice was applied, some compression and I elevated my leg. Now was the time to dose up on ibuprofen and paracetamol.
The next morning, a doctor confirmed my fears and I spent the rest of the week in a brace.
How can you manage a ruptured ACL?
Once home in the UK, I had an MRI scan and confirmation of ACL rupture and general sprain of all the other knee ligaments. By this point the knee was very swollen and really very wobbly without the brace. I will never underestimate the pain and weird sensation when the knee gives way underneath you again. It is horrible!
One week down the line, I have been in the hydrotherapy pool doing some gentle strength and mobility exercises. There is some pain but this is mild. Taking stock I have 80% range of movement and wasted quads; As well as a fair amount of swelling still. I’ve continued regular pain relief and anti-inflammatories. Walking is going well in the brace. It’s been goo being back at work but I’m mostly non-patient facing.
Should I get my ACL repaired?
The knee remains very unstable and limits my walking distance and function. My plan is to start physio and rehabilitation for the next 4-6 weeks and then review the stability with the surgeon. After the age of 40, the need for reconstruction surgery is significantly reduced. I fall into that category, so fingers crossed!
It’s been good to experience things from a clients perspective. Although I am feeling anxious about the knee, I am keen to get it going. Formal physio starts next week and I will keep you posted! Despite having had this injury, I am determined to get back to skiing and all sports such as tennis, cycling, sailing and golf. It is my hope that my story, as it progresses, will help to encourage all others with this injury now and in the future! If I need surgery, all the rehab I do now will be a huge help in my recovery after that. The better it is pre-op strength and function wise, the better I will do afterwards.
Time to practice what I preach!
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