I have been injure on my left knee since december, and is not getting better. I can swim fly, free and back without pain, but everytime I swim or kick *** I start feeling a big pain....(twice it made me get out the pool in the middle of the workout.)
I swim everyday of the week and I haven´t stop swimming even for a day since started hurting (just janurary 1rst), the only thing I did it was take off *** sets from my workouts, but since my best events are the 400im and 200im I really need to keep fast on breaststroke.
Even though it hurts I keep swimming brest-chain one day every week, and very short sets while doing individual medley workouts.
I don´t want to go to the doctor, I can run, lift and swim 3 strokes. I thought that at this point it would get better but it didn´t, I´m slowing down on my breaststroke and is driving me nuts cuz my 400 im is slower too.
By experience from lots of injures (tendonitis, etc) I think this one might be a problem on Ligaments.
I don´t want advice like: go to the doctor or rest, I know I should but I wont, Im just asking if somebody has experienced this kind of injure form breaststroke??
How long it takes to get better without do the recommended rest?
There something to buy that would make it less pain?
thanks
Former Member
Thanks,
I´m pretty sure that the problem on my left knee is caused by an inflamation of Collateral Ligaments.
Introduction
Two collateral ligaments link the leg bones that meet at the knee: a lateral one (on the outside portion of the knee) and a medial one (on the inside). While a tear of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is rare, a tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is more common. Injuries of the MCL often accompany damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and surrounding tissue.
Damage to the collateral ligaments usually involves significant force, such as a blow to the side of the knee during contact sports or a bad fall.
Anatomy
The MCL stabilizes the inner side of the knee by connecting the upper leg bone (femur) to the tibia, one of two lower leg bones. The LCL stabilizes the outer side by connecting the femur to the fibula, the other bone in the lower part of your leg. Together, the collateral ligaments control the side-to-side motion of the knee. If either ligament is stretched too far, it may tear.
Causes
Torn collateral ligaments usually occur during contact sports like football or hockey. A blow to the outside of the knee while the foot is planted can push the knee inward toward the opposite leg, tearing the MCL. A blow to the inside of the knee that forces the lower leg to bend out can damage the LCL.
Symptoms
You may experience pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness, followed by instability (the knee may give way and not support your body weight). If the torn ligament heals but is not strong enough to support the knee, you may experience chronic instability.
Diagnosis
As discussed in the Diagnosis section of Arthritis and other Joint Problems, a history and physical exam will help the doctor make the diagnosis. Your doctor will order x-rays to rule out bone damage and a stress x-ray, which takes a picture of your leg pushed slightly outwards, to confirm a collateral ligament tear. An MRI scan can make the diagnosis, too.
Treatment
The mainstay of treatment for most collateral ligament injuries is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Resting the knee gives the ligament time to heal. Ice applied 2 or 3 times a day for 15 to 20 minutes may decrease pain and swelling. Compressing the knee with a bandage or brace can limit swelling, as can elevating the knee whenever possible.
You'll also need to start a physical therapy program that includes exercises to restore range of motion and strengthen the thigh (quadriceps) muscle.
Most collateral ligament tears heal well with RICE and exercise. However, if the collateral ligament is completely torn or is accompanied by other injuries (like damage to the ACL), surgery may be required. The surgeon makes an incision in the area of the torn portion of the ligament. A ligament that's been pulled away from a bone is then reattached with sutures or a special staple. Chronic instability may need surgical reconstruction, which involves tightening up the loose ligament or replacing it with a graft.
You'll probably have to spend some time in the hospital. After repair or reconstruction, you'll start a physical rehabilitation program similar to the one used for patients who don't undergo surgery.
I´ll keep swimming until I can swim no more, I can´t stop if im able to, is just the way it is, :doh:
I agree with Jim. If you don't know what's wrong with your knee, how can you possibly know how to treat it? You could try resting the knee and see if it improves, but it sounds like you aren't willing to do that either. Maybe do all your *** swimming for the next week or two with a pull buoy or use a dolphin kick instead and see if your knee improves?
New,the problem is you have diagnosed yourself.Maybe you are right and maybe you aren't.I'd get a sportsmedicine doc to do an evaluation,you can always ignore his/her recommendation.If it is a MCL strain that is the common "breaststrokers knee".What I do when my knee gets twingy is take a week and do no breaststroke kick and swim *** pull/dolphin kick with fins.Then I start adding some REALLY slow breaststroke increasing speed as tolerated until I can go all out. That takes about 4 wks.Breaststroke pull/Dolphin kick with fins lets me work on timing and is a good substitute for full stroke.Also icing my knees after swimming helps.
