Only way to know for sure is to have an MRI done. ACL, MCL, Meniscus tears do occur together but "usually" from impact. As for the pain, it doesnt need to be severe to indicate a tear. Any persistent pain after hearing a 'pop' should def make you want to get it diagnosed. And the number 1 factor in recovery, assuming you do get the surgery, is physical therapy. You have to really go hard at it, otherwise your setting yourself up for lifelong issues. And as for basketball, if you did tear an ACL, you will never be the same again and I dont think people should push themselves to be back to the way they were. Your chances of tearing the other ACL go up, because you unconsciously will over compensate. Summary: If you want to be able to do all the things you used to: get an MRI, find out treatment options, Rehab Rehab Rehab...and dont try coming back early to basketball, etc. because it will only hurt you more.
Agree on everything you said except the "You'll never be the same again" This may have been true before when they cut you open but now with Arthroscopic surgery you can come back to 100% or really close. Once I got back I had no limitations and honestly my repaired knee felt better than my non-repaired knee. The real important factor to your recovery is exactly what you said, rehab. People either don't do it or half ass it wich leads to hip imbalance and scar tissue build up.
Honestly, unless your friends are Physical Therapists, I don't recommend you just getting your friends to give you exercises. A PT will be able to give you exercises at a pace that is conducive to healing, they will be able to give you exercises specific to your injury and strengthen everything around your knee to help prevent it from happening again, tell you what you can do to prevent it from happening and give you modalities to help you feel better. PTs get paid the bucks because they know what they are doing as compared to just random friends who happen to be exercise buffs or think they know what's best.
Yeah you're right. He's a Personal Trainer and former sprinter in college. I figured with his above average knowledge and internet advice, I could come up with something to save money and have the freedom to do it at home.
take time off, till you can walk decent. then do bulgarian squats with no weight/high reps. if theres no pain continue to progress. this will beef up the inside muscles of your knee. if you feel minimal pain just go down as low as achievable. worst thing to do is do the macho thing and hurt yourself. This is when I hurt my knee bad. i was limpin dog status. i didnt see a doctor, just listen to your body.
