The relatively unusual treatment that I'm doing for my knee is from Chinese medicine. I messed up my right knee towards the beginning of a trip to China when I was in Beijing. The day after I had a supply of Yunnan BaiYao in several forms (capsule, topical), plus another topical treatment that's designed for arthritis and problems with the meniscus (has a diagram of a knee on the package). I spent the day after at a cousin's apartment. Left with crutches, a stretchy ace bandage, and Chinese medicine. Headed off that evening on a night train to Xi'an with my daughter, my nephew (just graduated from college, was on the football team), and another family we traveled with. I and my husband are American-born Chinese, as are my nephew's parents so we have relatives in many Chinese cities. The second half of the trip was about visiting relatives more than sightseeing.
I have had an acupuncturist at home for several years that I usually see monthly. In July, I got a few weekly treatments after getting home. She was treating the other sore muscles (good leg, calf, glutes) plus the knee. I think that helped a lot. So by the time I started PT, I didn't have any major areas that felt sore or strained.
I'm continuing to take Yunnan BaiYao daily in capsule form. Using a topical patch for days where I'm using the knee more for whatever reason. Perhaps once a week.
At Week 3, there was a small sore spot on the exterior of my knee that was due to the sprained MCL. By Week 7, the sort spot was gone. So then it was possible to start exercises that involved lateral movement. Still can feel a little something uncomfortable for resistance exercises but fading daily.
I first heard of Yunnan BaiYao when my mother broke her leg at age 70. It was a spiral fracture just above the ankle (caught a heel on carpet rushing down stairs to go give a lecture) very similar to a ski injury. My mother was not sporty but was in good general health and pretty fit. Often mistaken for being 10-15 younger than she was due to her sharp mind and energy. The doctor cautioned that she would probably be in a cast for 4-6 months given her age. She started with a full leg cast. She took the Chinese approach. Pretty much avoided walking the first six weeks (bed on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen, used a wheelchair in the townhouse, stayed home except for medical appointments), took BaiYao, and ate stuff consider useful for healing bone breaks by Chinese medicine. At the six week check-up, the X-ray showed that her leg was healing like a 40 year old. Her doctor was pretty astonished. Her recovery continued to go very well after that.
This is what happens when one tries to imagine marzNC lacking the confidence, whatever the situation, to "check out more than blue groomers". 
