Knee Injuries

[wmblue]

I know there have been a few umpires who have experienced some knee injuries around here and I think I'm joining that list. I injured myself on Monday night, already have a slightly torn MCL and menisucs issue as well.

After my injury, I met with a general physician this morning who told me that there is a large fluid build up and that I'm facing either rehab or surgery. I have an MRI and follow up with a specialist end of this week.

I'm at the point that I don't want to fight this issue the rest of my life (I'm 33) and think that if surgery is offered, I will do that.

Having said that, what are people's experiences with rehab times and time away from the field?

Is it unrealistic to think I could return to do summer ball? I imagine that school ball is out as the season is only 10 weeks long.

For those who have had MCL surgery how much time from your day job did you miss and what is the rehab period like?

I'm conjecturing at this point but also preparing for what might be.

Any info would be appreciated.

Alex

[GarthB]

Alex:

You will soon find that there are a couple of self professed experts in this field who have no medical training or experience, but who will be thrilled to provide their advice.

I am in the middle of a similar situation and have the good fortune to be treated by a sports medicine surgeon, professional sport trainers and a sports doc with impeccable international credentials.

Like you, after my surgery they discovered the meniscus was continuing to tear, unrelated to activity. Like you, I want to be sports ready again someday.

I was scheduled for a second surgery today, but it was postponed.

PM me with your email address, and I'll provide the details of my current and scheduled rehab.

[canadaump6]

***

Originally Posted by wmblue

I'm at the point that I don't want to fight this issue the rest of my life (I'm 33) and think that if surgery is offered, I will do that.

Go with the surgery. It may be a drag, but by looking back in hindsight you'll find that your recovery time wasn't that long afterall.

Originally Posted by wmblue

For those who have had MCL surgery how much time from your day job did you miss and what is the rehab period like?

Never had surgery, but a few years ago I worked some kiddieball games with a guy who was 6 months removed from major knee reconstructive surgery. While he was able to get on the diamond and do base games, he was nowhere near mobile enough to do 90 foot diamond ball. He also had to sit on the bench between half-innings, and needed tylenole to get him through doubleheaders. I think his biggest mistake was trying to do too much too soon, but even so he made a very speedy recovery. ****

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by GarthB

You will soon find that there are a couple of self professed experts in this field who have no medical training or experience, but who will be thrilled to provide their advice.

Yeah? Name one.
***

[SAump]

GB recently posted similar material. CU gave some advice about a buddy. You will get more, I hope, from others with a similar history. Also find more to read on this website using the search feature with knee or ACL or .... About surgery, that is the easy part. The therapy is what I hope others discuss so that you understand. We have an expression, work smart and good luck.

There are no warranties on bad knees and know guarantees on surgery. One may do everything right and still experience "a setback" or more. People give different opinions about therapy, experience different setbacks, and offer different reasons for each setback. I was hoping to hear those stories from umpires since my aching joints no longer feel the benefits of "condroitin/glucosomine" and motrins.

[ozzy6900]

I had my meniscus removed in 1974 at age 21 (before arthroscopic surgery). It required a 6 inch incision on the inner knee and a 4 inch incision on the outer knee. I spent a week in the hospital and the next 12 weeks in therapy (three times a week). I walked with crutches for 2 weeks and a cane until I was released from therapy.

In 2007, my stepmother had her whole knee replaced. She was in the hospital for 24 hours, a "step-down" center for 3 days, exited there with a cane and endured 3 weeks of rehabilitation. She walks with no limp and she is as mobile as anyone.

All I can tell you is every case is different, your rehab is only as good as your and your technician's efforts and your recuperation is up to you. Listen to the doctor and not the bozo's on the umpire boards that have never been through it. And by the way, Garth did not do what our misinformed neighbor to the North states. Garth was a typical case that had more damage than was presumed. It happens - I was lucky even back then. I have never encountered further injury or problems. Some are not that lucky.

Good Luck

[GerryB]

I currently am rehabbing a meniscus issue (maybe torn, maybe not). The PTs are doing a great job strengthing me for the season. Two plate games and results are slow but good. My doctors are advising a conservative approach "strengthen before trying surgery". My primary is clearer "let no one touch your knee unless absolutely necessay". But I agree with everyone else...every case is different trust your MD.

On a future note, some athletic sub-60 year olds are being advised around here (Boston) to delay on whole replacement as there are less drastic, better procedures on the near horizon...although I saw what miracles the surgery did for my Dad.

[Rcichon]

Having both knees with torn meniscii (sp?) and after arthro on both (seperate times), rehab on the left knee (with more damage than the right) took 6 weeks.

The final 4 weeks of rehab I was back at work/play etc.

Still have intermittant minor pain in left. Right has zero pain. Full mobility in both.

Happy overall.

Good luck with yours.

[fitump56]

Email Interested Ump; he will send you a telephone number to call him.

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Email Interested Ump; he will send you a telephone number to call him.

Hey Donovan where have you been at mate? Good to see you back here to lay down the law.

By the way, fitump56 and InterestedUmp are the guys Garth and Ozzy were dissing. They're quality guys who know a lot about sports med so don't be afraid to contact one of them.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Hey Donovan where have you been at mate? Good to see you back here to lay down the law.

Hey, kid, wazzup?

By the way, fitump56 and InterestedUmp are the guys Garth and Ozzy were dissing. They're quality guys who know a lot about sports med so don't be afraid to contact one of them.

A week or so ago, I made a long post that laid out Interested Ump's credentials. Got deleted. done this, oh, 5-6 x, deleted.

i have personally listened and watched orthopedic surgeons and PTs call IU in for consults pre and post surgery. Dozens of times. MLB team docs traveled IU for consults. But, of course, he is unqualified.

interesting to see if this post gets deleted by Benham. Bob's not on duty. must be quite a hing to take a great resource like IU and toss him off for no good reason.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

How about this? PM me the details of his credentials. Include the names and access information of the surgeons and PTs who rely on his advice and the names of the MLB team doctors who "travel" him around for consultations.

I'll confirm the details in less than a day and post a validating statement so people stop doubting claims. I'll get started just as soon as you get the information to me.

Mr. Umpire, you are a clearinghouse for information?

Benham, Garth that is, don't know about others, is not a moderator and cannot delete anyone's post but his own. You'll need a new scapegoat for this.[/QUOTE]

Oh, not true but let's get back to your issues.

My credentials, associated with my name, are well known here. There are several forum umpires who can attest.

The concept of being able to trace, track or verify my training and rehabilitation expertise, in less than a day, ranks as one of the most ridiculous claims I have seen in many a day. Outside of the facts that I can supply you, if I chose, the minimum of 50 such references, HIPAA is control enough. Of course, you knew that.

Deleted posts are held in perpetuity. My credentials, with very specific individuals you can contact, are there in those posts.

I free you to contact Mr. Benham and Mr. Jenkins who both have immediaite access to same.

I will wait for your response. Should take no more than 0200 30Mar08 - according to your own assertions.

P.S. Please feel free to "email Garth" as you have done so, fingering this post, reminiscent of the past. I assume his Ignore List is still in sub-working order.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

Having both knees with torn meniscii (sp?) and after arthro on both (seperate times), rehab on the left knee (with more damage than the right) took 6 weeks.

The final 4 weeks of rehab I was back at work/play etc.

Still have intermittant minor pain in left. Right has zero pain. Full mobility in both.

Happy overall.

Good luck with yours.

Congrats on your speedy recovery Rcichon. I had surgery on my left knee for a torn meniscus and they also cleaned up some bone spurs in late January 2008. My first post surgery games were a college double header on March 2nd.

This past week I've had a college baseball game on Monday, three game high schools round robin tournament on Tuesday, college softball double header on Wednesday, high school baseball on Thursday and a high school softball game last night. I'm scheduled for a college baseball double header later today, but it will probably be rained out. Left knee is a bit swollen but very little pain. I plan on having my right knee taken care of next January (same issues).

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

How about this? PM me the details of his credentials. Include the names and access information of the surgeons and PTs who rely on his advice and the names of the MLB team doctors who "travel" him around for consultations.

Like that will happen. Instead, you'll get some song and dance about how well known he is, or he doesn't need your approval, or this is a privacy issues, or, or, or..... Fact is you will not be provided with anything that verify his claims. It just won't happen, and the real explanation is probably the simplest.

Benham, Garth that is, don't know about others, is not a moderator and cannot delete anyone's post but his own. You'll need a new scapegoat for this.

True I am not a moderator. I think only Mick and Bob are moderators, and in addition to them only Jimmy and Brad have the ability to delete posts and threads other than their own.

I cannot delete posts containe in threads started by others, however, should I delete my own post that was a thread starter, the entire thread will be deleted. That's a feature of this software that is pretty well known. And yes, I have done that when the thread moved far afield of the reason for which I started it, or became a vehicle for senseless vandalism or graffiti.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Like that will happen. Instead, you'll get some song and dance about how well known he is, or he doesn't need your approval, or this is a privacy issues, or, or, or..... Fact is you will not be provided with anything that verify his claims. It just won't happen, and the real explanation is probably the simplest.

Damn, Garth, you are a mind (forum) reader. That's exactly what IU posted. With us on your Ignoe List, the only explanation is your paranormal abilities.