Pain in Knee...advice?

[Kingsman1288]

Seeing as my injury occurred in the course of officiating, I figured who better to ask for advice than my officiating brethren.

Long story short...I felt the occasional pain in my knee during the high school season but I changed my insoles and that seemed to solve the problem. While working some games this past weekend, the pain returned big time. It's gotten to the point now where anything more than a slow jog makes my knee feel like it's going to explode, almost like the feeling you get when you really need to pop a knuckle but can't. The pain got so intense during my last game that I was reduced to hopping one footed on a trip down the floor and for the first time in my life I couldn't finish a game I started. I've got an appt with a doctor but that's not until next week, so I was looking to see what advice others might have, and if anyone has had this problem before. I'm taking ibuprofen for the pain, icing occassionally and trying to stay off it as much as possible for now, but I have a lot of games coming up on my schedule. Taking a break from officiating isn't really an option for me, as it is my only source of income (being a starving college student ) Thoughts? Tips? Suggestions? Thanks!

[grunewar]

IMO your doing many things right - Doctor appointment, rest and medication.

But, the one thing you may be doing wrong,is taking the games and trying to battle your way through it.

While I certainly understand the financial aspects and admire your tenacity, nothing good can come from doing games on an injured leg - in fact, it could make it worse.

I wish you good luck.

[bob jenkins]

So you'll get one weekends worth of games in at the possible cost of a serious injury that will keep you out a year.

Typical short-sighted college student thinking.

(And I say that as the parent of two who just finished).

[stir22]

First of all, kudos to you.

Applying a learned craft to generate income while attending college is laudable, indeed-i don't think its short-sighted at all. When we are young we tend to think we are bullet-proof, and adopt the "it hurts now, but it'll be okay next week mantra."

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Is there swelling? If so, "ref candy", i.e. advil or aleve will help with the suppression of fluids.

Stretching helped me a lot last year; however, if it is meniscal in nature stretching probably won't help that much. Have you injured your knee before? ACL injuries that are unrepaired tend not to have near the impact when we are young, as a few years later.

I also use something called Bio-Freeze right before games, and at halftime. If it is muscular in nature, icy hot after games will help. However, if you are young, it is most likely structural.

Good on you, young college man; stay the course.

[Mark Padgett]

You'd better take care of it now or it could get worse and turn into kneemonia!

[jophyal]

as a coach with the luxury of a team trainer available their advice is, arrive early and see if teams trainer can treat it. our trainers will even wrap it, if necessary. i have had 11 knee surgeries. a good brace can help. SEE A DOCTOR!!

[Mr. Ref]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

You'd better take care of it now or it could get worse and turn into kneemonia!

Wow... Every single thread you have to interject some sort of stupid comment. Kudos to you though.... This one might be the worst.