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Chronic PCL Injury

Posted , 5 users are following.

Peter11111
Peter11111

Hey guys,

Pete here from Ireland, hope you're all well. I'm having fierce trouble with my PCL. I landed down on my left knee playing football January last year. Got the MRI and scan revealed the tear. I rehabbed it. Built up my quads ( previously tore my left PCL so knew what I had to go through ) and went back playing. After about 5 months I started playing matches... although the pain was still there I assumed it be fine. After about two months of games I landed down on my knee ( pretty run of the mill fall ) and the PCL symptoms appeared again ( moving right heel towards right glute causing lots of pain ) When it happened I just assumed I came back too early.

Fast forward to February this year. I'm sprinting with the ball and I hear a slight pop and sure enough same symptoms appear. Running in a straight line apparently not usually assosicated with PCL injuries but it had all hallmarks of one or at least felt like it. I went a head got another MRI scan. The physio and doctor were little stumbled as they didn't think the action matched injury plus they performed PCL test. Anyways test came back and showed chronic PCL tear... not tear tear but showed last tear ( back January previous year ) 

I rested it a little though in fairness I still trained hard as soon as the pain left. I also have very physical job so resting maybe not entirely accurate. I love fitness and as soon as I thought was right I got back to large volume of training ( rowing, running, weight training etc ) 

I thought all was good until 2 weeks ago I was playing an important football game... Landed simply on my knee ( not a big fall ) and thought ouch! I played on... about 20 minute later I jumped and heard a little noise and again felt knee become sore. I finished the game with decreased range of motion and pain. That night swelled out and usual range of motion issues ( pain as right heel goes towards right glute ) 

Last night tried to play our football semi final, knee majority strapped but completely gutted had to come off after 5 minutes due to pain. 

Anybod here with any suggestions. Is it a matter of just totally resting it. I'm at my wits end as I absolutely love football. It's a big part of me but this long term injury has hit me for six. I love to get back to previous ways where a soft landing on my knee wouldn't sett me back months at a time. 

Thanks very much much for your time and sorry for the long post.

Best,

Pete

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • amy67942
    amy67942 Peter11111

    Posted

    Pete,

    i am not sure I have any words of wisdom but I do have questions. I am in Washington DC so when u say football do u meanwhile Americans call soccer or rugby?  Sprinting with the ball made me think rugby.  Also, what is PCL?  I have had an ACL tear in my knee and Achilles tear in my ankle but trying to get a better sense of your injuries to c if perhaps I might have something helpful to say.   Do you take pain meds before a workout or is that not feasible ?  Have u ever tried Traumeel tablets or cream for natural healing?  Can b ordered on Internet.

    • Peter11111
      Peter11111 amy67942

      Posted

      Hey Amy,

      When I say football I mean Gaelic Football. It's our national sport here in Ireland...I suppose you could say a mixture of soccer and rugby. Funny you bring up rugby because at the moment we are all going rugby mad over here with the World Cup on!

      PCL is posterior crucial ligament. Injury usually caused falling on the ground with a bent knee. Not much fun! I took pan med and anti inflam gels but that was just to bring down swelling & reduce pain for the game yesterday so not a long term solution unfortunately. 

      Sorry to to hear about your juries, hope you are fully recovered now! 

      Thanks for for your reply! 

    • amy67942
      amy67942

      Posted

      enjoy watching the rugby matches!  I spent some time in south Africa and always loved going to watch rugby!  I will b googling Gaelic football!  Is it a bit like quidditch only not on brooms?  Only joking.  Sounds like u r a man who can't be stopped from athletics and exercise despite pain and injury.  I admire that but sometimes, as my father the physician says, less is more.  In other words, short term rest promotes long term health and stability.  Also, don't know if they have this in Ireland, my favorite country, BTW and I have visited many, but google "myotherapy" and see if there are any folks near u who perform such work.  They watch u walk, see ur dysfunction and then do hands on pain free work that has been miraculous for me thru back pain, knee pain and ankle pain.  Where r u in Ireland?
    • Peter11111
      Peter11111 amy67942

      Posted

      Hey Amy,

      Your dad is right though I do love training and I love my sport so find it extremely hard to just sit on my ass :p It does look like I have to take a step back in order for it to fully heal ( we got knocked out of the competition last night so no football until next Feb anyways )

      I'll google myotherapy. Not familiar with it but no harm having a look anyways so thanks for that. I'm from Cork by the way - down south of the country. 

      P.S. Glad you love Ireland - shows you have taste anyways!

  • debz13
    debz13 Peter11111

    Posted

    The only words of advice I am able to offer is to see an orthopedic specialist. Sounds very painful, and hopefully you will be able to recover fully and get back to your athletics.

    I had a TKR almost 8 weeks ago, and it isn't fun. Take care of your knees!

    • Peter11111
      Peter11111 debz13

      Posted

      Thanks Debz, it's very frustrating. Sorry to hear about your knee woes - not exactly fun times I can imagine!
    • amy67942
      amy67942 Peter11111

      Posted

      Hey Pete, Amy again.  I am totally hip to Peil now.  You can even call it Caid to me or just Gaelic. ;-)
  • sueisobel
    sueisobel Peter11111

    Posted

    What an eejit, you are prepared to ruin your knee, for the sake of football!  You know you have to rehab the knee properly.  If you are into sports, then you know if you tear something it is not a case of getting out the needle and thread, sewing it up, putting a bandaid over it and getting on with your life.  It takes months and months of rest and rehab.  So what if you have to to sit out a season??? If you don't, you will end up not playing football at all
    • Peter11111
      Peter11111 sueisobel

      Posted

      Hey Susie,

      Thanks for the reply! You get me wrong, I've rehabbed the knee appropriately with rest, built up quads, and followed the program given to me by my physiotherapist. Despite all of this my knee still continues to have issues. I tore my left PCL a number of years ago ( again playing football ) and did exactly the same in regards to training ( strengthening quads, proper rest, etc and it recovered just fine despite initial pain when came back playing....

      This time despite same rehab process my knee is playing up.ive been given advice my people who are a lot smarter than you and I who have been a little surprised by my knees continued sett backs. 

      Now my job is pretty physical so complete rest is not entirely possible. I don't take the tear likely and physically rehab it 100% of my ability though will try to rest it better. 

      Appreciate the tough love,

      The eerie wink

       

    • Peter11111
      Peter11111

      Posted

      * The eejit wink 

      P.S. Sorry for typos. My iPad sometimes has a life of its own! 😀

    • sueisobel
      sueisobel Peter11111

      Posted

      I apologise, but you did come across as one of those wear sport is all (I used to be one + work with a couple inc an ex- semi pro rugby player).  There does come a time when you have to stop playing football and take up another challenge. All do-able without having to go down the surgery road. Unless you have been told that is what you need. Does alo depend on your job
    • sueisobel
      sueisobel

      Posted

      Don't you just love that word!!!!!
    • Peter11111
      Peter11111 sueisobel

      Posted

      Hey Susie! 

      Ha no problem, I've been called allot worse 😛 I do have a tendency of trying to rush back too soon so your post was much appreciated. My girlfriend would probably echo your comments also! 

      Thanks again for for your reply and have a nice weekend 😊

      P.S. I haven't heard that word n a while, made me smile! 😀

  • mary09529
    mary09529 Peter11111

    Posted

    Hi Peter,

    My husband has been through a PCL surgery and a reconstruction 13 years after. He heard a pop a few weeks ago (3 months after removing the screws) and he is having a hard time walking. After multiple surgeries he is struggling with answers as well. Seems challenging to find doctors experienced with PCL injuries as well. Did you find anything out? How are you feeling?

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