So I hyperextended/sprained my knee last Monday...

[Hootie]

I was playing flag football and went to break up a poorly thrown ball in my direction and as I came down my knee hyperextended pretty horribly and I was in instant pain thinking I tore a ligament or three. I hobbled back in obvious pain to the LOS and walked it off a bit...it hurt but I could also feel the pain subsidizing so I thought I got lucky...

at halftime (about 3 minutes after) I tested my knee out on the field and could run straight line about 60% and I could make cuts (not aggressive cuts, but cuts at like 60%) so I played the 2nd half (we had no subs) and gutted it out.

After the game I was walking with a limp but it wasn't terrible. As soon as I sat down for a bit it started to tighten and at 5 AM I couldn't move it really...I couldn't get out of bed, I couldn't put on a sock, it was terrible. Horrible, horrible pain.

I went to convenient care at 8 AM and told the doctor everything that happened, and he did some tests and didn't think I'd be able to play on my knee the way I did if anything was torn and my XRays were negative.

Tuesday and Wednesday I could hardly walk...it was bad...horrible limp, terrible pain. Thursday I started feeling better and could walk with a limp pretty well. Same with Friday. Same with today (getting better every day).

My knee is incredibly swollen. I just looked down...is it normal for your whole leg to swell in this situation. I have absolutely no pain in my ankle but my ankle is about 3 times the size of my other ankle (just noticed that).

Is that odd? Normal? I know nothing about this kind of stuff.

Also, I fully plan on returning to flag football in two Monday's...is a sprained knee like a sprained ankle? Am I risking reinjuring it every time I play like an ankle?

Any advice/tips/info would be appreciated.

[RunKC]

Dear Antler Spray. Get it and you'll be fine by Monday.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

that's what scares me...I did feel a pop

they gave me crutches but it's icy so using them is pretty ****ing pointless

Dude, pop goes the weasel. I had a pop as well.
Sorry, but you need that checked and you need to ice it and elevate pronto.

[Hootie]

I mean...this happened 6 days ago.

At this point...I haven't iced or elevated it...is 3 more ****ing hours going to hurt. I'm at work.

[Hootie]

and I do a lot of walking...I walk when I go to the bars...I walk a ton at work. I've walked 30+ hours since Thursday (I didn't move from my bed Tuesday or Wednesday it hurt too much to walk)

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I mean...this happened 6 days ago.

At this point...I haven't iced or elevated it...is 3 more ****ing hours going to hurt. I'm at work.

No, but do it whenever you are at home and also get one of the knee sock braces from Walgreens. They're 15 bucks. Get some support for it.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

No, but do it whenever you are at home and also get one of the knee sock braces from Walgreens. They're 15 bucks. Get some support for it.

I'm already wearing one...they gave it to me Monday when I went to convenient care. And crutches. Crutches lasted for 1 minute when I got out of my mom's car and fell on my face because it was ****ing icy as shit outside.

I didn't tear anything at all but it was sprained. It swoll up huge. I went back to work 2 days after it happened but I couldn't bend it or squat. I was pretty worthless in that regard for a couple weeks. I started walking okay, with some pain in a couple of weeks but it took several months of healing before I trusted it enough to actually run with a brace. I've favored it ever since. Don't become too dependent on a brace though. Get rid of the brace after a month or so, once you've built some strength back.

I'm not saying we have identical injuries. I have no idea. I'm just saying when your body swells up like that, it's trying to send you a message. Either listen to your body or don't. It's up to you.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I'm already wearing one...they gave it to me Monday when I went to convenient care. And crutches. Crutches lasted for 1 minute when I got out of my mom's car and fell on my face because it was ****ing icy as shit outside.

Oh that sucks.
One reason you might be able to cut and do certain things, now, is because the muscles in your legs are stong. I'm gathering you're athletic and You have an active job. The key to being able to fuc tin without an ACL is strength Around the knee. It could be giving you a false sense of security. But, in the end, your leg strength will be why you will be fine if you know what wrong and what to do about it.

[tk13]

Sounds bad. They'll probably have to amputate.

[displacedinMN]

Used this after heel spur surgery. 5 weeks in a cast
Crutches suck

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I mean...this happened 6 days ago.

At this point...I haven't iced or elevated it...is 3 more ****ing hours going to hurt. I'm at work.

What? That's your fault. First thing I do is ice an injury like that. I took a 100mph ball to the calf last saturday. Couldn't walk saturday night but kept icing religiously the rest of the weekend. No pain and no problems monday. Very little discoloration today. In fact, I played ball again.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I didn't tear anything at all but it was sprained. It swoll up huge. I went back to work 2 days after it happened but I couldn't bend it or squat. I was pretty worthless in that regard for a couple weeks. I started walking okay, with some pain in a couple of weeks but it took several months of healing before I trusted it enough to actually run with a brace. I've favored it ever since. Don't become too dependent on a brace though. Get rid of the brace after a month or so, once you've built some strength back.

I'm not saying we have identical injuries. I have no idea. I'm just saying when your body swells up like that, it's trying to send you a message. Either listen to your body or don't. It's up to you.

Yeah I hear you.

I'm in pretty good shape and I'm really, really stubborn. When I fractured my elbow I ditched the sling after a week and just played through it.

I have to be on my feet at work. I have to be at work. Literally. There is no other option. I'm the only one here from 3-11 3-4 nights per week and if I'm not here this place doesn't operate.

I hate the fact I'm paying $30 a week for two activities that I probably won't be able to participate in for the next month/two months. It is what it is.

I just have a really hard time believing (despite feeling a pop) that I tore any ligaments when I can stop and cut RIGHT NOW and the only thing that gives me pain is when I try to stretch my leg all the way out...it was truly a hyperextension moment...

I landed on my right leg and my leg was all the way straight and it locked up and I immediately fell to the ground to take the pressure off...and the pain was immediate but within 5 minutes I tested it out (and the pain had almost went all the way away) and I was doing zig zags and 10 yard outs at a good 60-70%

I just don't think you can do that with an ACL tear.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

Used this after heel spur surgery. 5 weeks in a cast
Crutches suck

I put temperpedic pillows on my crutches. I have no issues with my crutches. I wish I could use one of those things instead of crutches, but I made the best of it!

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by Phobia

What? That's your fault. First thing I do is ice an injury like that. I took a 100mph ball to the calf last saturday. Couldn't walk saturday night but kept icing religiously the rest of the weekend. No pain and no problems monday. Very little discoloration today. In fact, I played ball again.

Yes, I know.

I'm lazy as hell when it comes to that stuff. I realize I ****ed up by not icing it. It was pure stupidity. I just operate under the 'rub some dirt on it' idea and then I regret it when shit like this happens...

I'm the guy who eats out 3 times a day so I don't have to do dishes.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

Yeah I hear you.

I'm in pretty good shape and I'm really, really stubborn. When I fractured my elbow I ditched the sling after a week and just played through it.

I have to be on my feet at work. I have to be at work. Literally. There is no other option. I'm the only one here from 3-11 3-4 nights per week and if I'm not here this place doesn't operate.

I hate the fact I'm paying $30 a week for two activities that I probably won't be able to participate in for the next month/two months. It is what it is.

I just have a really hard time believing (despite feeling a pop) that I tore any ligaments when I can stop and cut RIGHT NOW and the only thing that gives me pain is when I try to stretch my leg all the way out...it was truly a hyperextension moment...

I landed on my right leg and my leg was all the way straight and it locked up and I immediately fell to the ground to take the pressure off...and the pain was immediate but within 5 minutes I tested it out (and the pain had almost went all the way away) and I was doing zig zags and 10 yard outs at a good 60-70%

I just don't think you can do that with an ACL tear.

I hope it isn't either, but don't talk yourself out of seeing the doctor.