atomicRacer
Diva in Training
Hi, I'm new to theskidiva as I was searching the web looking to find something reassuring about my recent injury and surgery. I've been a very hard core skier most of my life (about 40 years) and have skied many mountains and love everything about being on the snow, until now...
About a month ago, I had my first very big ski injury after hitting a huge patch of ice while my legs were locked in full extension trying to cut a turn and do a fast stop. I hyperextended my right knee and tore my ACL, Meniscus, MCL, PCL and bruised the tibial bone on my right knee. I went to the ER in Tahoe but it took about 2 weeks before I finally got in to see my OS and have the MRI back home. The MRI news was about as horrifying as I could ever imagine and I began the crying that day after getting the results. When I had the injury, I didn't know how bad this might be... call it ignorance and luck that I didn't know anyone in my ski life that ever had such a bad injury. Also, my knee barely swelled and I didn't even bruise.
Fast forward now almost a month since the injury and it's been 10 days since my ACL reconstruction and Meniscus repair. My OS said the MCL and PCL were not complete tears and they should heal on it's own. I chose the allograft (donor) ACL reconstruction surgery and the meniscus got cleaned up. Post-op Day 2, I was full of tears - and fears... I never felt SO much pain (and I've had a lot of surgeries, like rotator cuff repair, shoulder break pinned, etc, etc...). I feel like I will never walk again (normally) or enjoy the sports that I once did. In the 10 days now, my knee swelling has finally started to go down and getting close to a 80 degree bend, but I'm still far from any goals. My OS will have me start PT in 5 more weeks. He said he'll have me skiing in 9 months... BUT, the pains and limitations make me feel like I'll never get there AND I have so many hard emotions to deal with. I've never cried so much besides a death in my family. I am a mom and have 2 kids - and I feel I can't do anything for them still (and haven't been able for a month) although my husband has been really helpful and supportive taking on extra duties while trying to be sympathetic. The extent of my injury and how weak my leg has become, I think I won't be able to drive for another month. I've never been sidelined like this before and am so used to being on the go, that all this idle time has taken a toll on me emotionally. I'm not sure if I even want to ski again...
I'd love to hear from some of you women that have gone through this and if you dealt with sadness and depression. I'd also really like to know how some of your milestones went at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1-2 years, etc... AND, are you feeling like your knee and leg is somewhat close to normal or are you still very far off (if so, did you do physical therapy)? I plan on tackling the PT as aggressively as I can. I want to ride my bike with my kids, hike, do yoga, play soccer, and not be afraid to use my leg like I did - but is that even realistic? I think docs always tell you the best case scenario so you are motivated to get there... but even then I was told that I will still lose 5-10 degrees of range with a lot of PT. I'm so depressed. Any guidance and experience would be helpful. I am hoping to hear some encouraging news.
Thanks in advance ladies!
About a month ago, I had my first very big ski injury after hitting a huge patch of ice while my legs were locked in full extension trying to cut a turn and do a fast stop. I hyperextended my right knee and tore my ACL, Meniscus, MCL, PCL and bruised the tibial bone on my right knee. I went to the ER in Tahoe but it took about 2 weeks before I finally got in to see my OS and have the MRI back home. The MRI news was about as horrifying as I could ever imagine and I began the crying that day after getting the results. When I had the injury, I didn't know how bad this might be... call it ignorance and luck that I didn't know anyone in my ski life that ever had such a bad injury. Also, my knee barely swelled and I didn't even bruise.
Fast forward now almost a month since the injury and it's been 10 days since my ACL reconstruction and Meniscus repair. My OS said the MCL and PCL were not complete tears and they should heal on it's own. I chose the allograft (donor) ACL reconstruction surgery and the meniscus got cleaned up. Post-op Day 2, I was full of tears - and fears... I never felt SO much pain (and I've had a lot of surgeries, like rotator cuff repair, shoulder break pinned, etc, etc...). I feel like I will never walk again (normally) or enjoy the sports that I once did. In the 10 days now, my knee swelling has finally started to go down and getting close to a 80 degree bend, but I'm still far from any goals. My OS will have me start PT in 5 more weeks. He said he'll have me skiing in 9 months... BUT, the pains and limitations make me feel like I'll never get there AND I have so many hard emotions to deal with. I've never cried so much besides a death in my family. I am a mom and have 2 kids - and I feel I can't do anything for them still (and haven't been able for a month) although my husband has been really helpful and supportive taking on extra duties while trying to be sympathetic. The extent of my injury and how weak my leg has become, I think I won't be able to drive for another month. I've never been sidelined like this before and am so used to being on the go, that all this idle time has taken a toll on me emotionally. I'm not sure if I even want to ski again...
I'd love to hear from some of you women that have gone through this and if you dealt with sadness and depression. I'd also really like to know how some of your milestones went at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1-2 years, etc... AND, are you feeling like your knee and leg is somewhat close to normal or are you still very far off (if so, did you do physical therapy)? I plan on tackling the PT as aggressively as I can. I want to ride my bike with my kids, hike, do yoga, play soccer, and not be afraid to use my leg like I did - but is that even realistic? I think docs always tell you the best case scenario so you are motivated to get there... but even then I was told that I will still lose 5-10 degrees of range with a lot of PT. I'm so depressed. Any guidance and experience would be helpful. I am hoping to hear some encouraging news.
Thanks in advance ladies!