PCL...opinions, recs?

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2009-07-24 11:18 AM

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Subject: PCL...opinions, recs?
So, I suspect I may have sprained my PCL.  This suspicion was propagated by WebMD, so I'm hoping someone with experience can answer a few questions for me.

Two days ago, I had a minor fall on my bike (first time using clipless).  I was barely moving and toppled over to the right, where I was still clipped in, rather than to the left where my foot was free. 

I impacted the front of my knee and have a minor scrape just under my kneecap with a little tenderness/brusing underneath and immediately surrounding the scrape.  Totally normal, I'm not worried about that part.

Yesterday, more than 12 hours after that fall, the back of that knee began to ache and feel stiff.  I took some Ibuprofen in the afternoon and continued my day (took a second dose later), but did not do the run I had planned for yesterday evening. 

This morning I woke up, took some more Ibuprofen and went for a short swim.  When pushing lightly off the walls, I could feel it in the back of my knee. 

Now, six hours after taking that Ibuprofen it is wearing off, and I'd say it is worse today than yesterday.   On a pain scale of 1 to 10, I'm at:
2 (discomfort) while sitting at my desk.
3 when walking around, somewhat higher than that when I stop to change direction.
5 (stong discomfort, somewhat painful) while walking up or down the steps (walking down it is the worst...and I have a three story house!).
I do have a pretty high pain threshold.

I'm about to take some more Ibuprofen, b/c more than anything, I want to try to keep any internal swelling down.  I won't run or bike until the pain/discomfort while sitting/walking/up and down steps ends, but will still be walking around to do daily tasks.  However, I do have a few questions:

* Does this sound like PCL?

* How long do I try rest before I need to think about getting to a doctor?  (What I mean is, at what point in time do I need to become concerned that I may have more than a minor sprain?)

* What are the chances of this healing up on rest quickly enough for my planned race on 8/2 (in 9 days)? 




2009-07-25 2:23 PM
in reply to: #2305838

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Subject: RE: PCL...opinions, recs?
I have just recovered from a PCL sprain and a partial tear.  Feel on the road while running. 
Go to the doctor now.  So that they can make sure it's the PCL but not the ACL - which would be a lot more serious. 

As for me,  The night after I fell fluid started building around the knee and I was unable to walk.  On crutches for a week.  Knee looked like a blue baseball.  Couldn't drive (hurts when applied pressure on left leg - I drive a stick).  Couldn't bend for 3 weeks until most of the fluid drained.  It was then they did an MRI (couldn't see anything with all the fluid there) and determine a partial tear.  No "bouncing type" of exercise for several weeks.  Then PT, with close range exercise only.  During that time I tried to walk as much as I could.  Together with PT I hope to preserve my strength.  4 weeks later started swimming.  7 weeks later started riding the bike, at very low intensity, on the trainer (knee would hurtduring padeling as the movement involves bending).  12 weeks later started running, but found out my gaits were messed up big times.   Until now 6 month later, something is still pulling on my ITB from the knee that my hip has to hurt after running, although it's getting a lot better.  I know something is still messed up.  I am having difficulty kneeling.  I had lost a lot of flexibility. 

For a PCL injury, there is nothing you can do but rest.  So racing would be a bad idea. 
Good luck. 


Edited by D.K. 2009-07-25 2:24 PM
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