Joe A Shaw PA-C - 3/15/2008

Question
I'm 27, male, and lift weights three times a week so I'm in pretty good health.  I played soccer today and twisted my knee when going for a ball.  The leg twisted back and to the outside.  I was wearing a rubber knee sleeve when it happened because I also have mild tendonitis in that knee.  It didn't hurt that much when it happened and I did not hear a popping noise so I actually kept playing soccer.  On the drive home my knee started to hurt more, not severe but it has me worried.  I took some ibuprofen, have ice on it, and have it elevated.  I can walk on it without any pain but there is a constant dull pain in the middle of the knee.  My question is what likely happened and since I don't have insurance how will I know if I need to go see an Ortho?  Thank you very much.

Answer
Jon,
Well since you don't have insurance, I hope you didn't do anything to it too bad...obviously it can't be diagnosed over the net. Hopefully you just sprained the ligaments..either the medial or lateral collateral ligaments on both sides of the knee. You might have torn the meniscus which you might get a clicking or catching sensation in the next few wks-mos. or a buckling feeling--would need an MRI, xrays are almost useless for this type of thing. I doubt you ruptured your ACL..usually a pop sound or sensation and great pain.
So ice 3 x day x 1 wk, then alternate ice heat 10min each the next wk. take advil, don't use it as much etc...if its not better in a few wks then you will need further eval