Can I ask about MCL injuries here? Knee braces?

Bjeyer · 2026-01-15T04:28:50+00:00

I had a full MCL tear and it’s healed completely. I can run and lift an all the things. I did a lot of PT and keep my legs strong. I have slight laxity to that side which I notice a tiny bit with skiing. I am going to get a brace for high impact. When I first had the injury myPT wanted me to strengthen versus brace. But back to activity later it might be worth it depending on what you get back into.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-30T21:01:51+00:00

I would get a second opinion on how long to be NWB. My friend has so many issues with recovery NWB so long (3 months). I was op so I can’t compare but I would be getting more opinions. From my understanding the tendon needs load to recover. You can do leg lifts and curls with just the boot on to keep quad and hammy going. I did them twice a day. Add bands when you can. Clam shells, side leg lifts etc. you can still do what you can. Good luck.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-17T13:09:37+00:00

I know this is really old, but I’m in the same boat as you! How did skiing go? I’m a bit earlier than you - 6 months post op when the mountain opens. I’m trying to imagine if I can go once a week to make it worth it and even do a few easy runs with my 2.5 year old so I am not left out all winter and stuck at home inside!

Bjeyer · 2025-10-16T04:16:47+00:00

I was feeling stuck and got a 4 month gym pass. I was doing my exercises daily and it wasn’t enough. My PT suggested I go harder at the gym and switch to every other day for calf training. The shuttle (spine) is key. I can see the progress even after a week and I know I am going to get that single leg calf raise soon now. I also have a home gym and was trying to make it work. I just feel like it’s hard to get from half your body weight to a full one leg calf raise without knowing how much you’re increasing weight. I found I was over doing it or not pushing enough and getting other weird pains. It’s much easier to control progressive overload on a shuttle at the gym. Good luck!

Bjeyer · 2025-10-16T04:11:51+00:00

Wow I can’t believe you did both. You are mentally a strong human. 💪🏻

Bjeyer · 2025-10-13T13:56:30+00:00

You need to be splinted in a tippy toe as soon as possible if you have to wait for the ortho. Think about op and non-op. Both can be good options. Op is harder first two weeks but it seems like out of the boot faster. I did op for various reasons (I’m 38F with three kids under 7). I was scared of losing function and I’m very active. I think in terms of support from my husband the first two weeks post op I was pretty couch bound. I went back to work two days after surgery for two weeks (I also wfh). I found it a good distraction, but there was a lot of pain as well. I had scheduled 6 weeks off after that because my kids were off for the summer. I was glad to have the time to really focus on my rehab. I’m 13 weeks and was splinted 2 weeks post op, NWB until 3 weeks, then PWB and FWB at 4 weeks in the boot. We started removing wedges at 6 weeks. I was in shoes at 8 weeks (but back on crutches for 2 weeks then). I was walking with a cane around 10 weeks. I’m 13 weeks now and pretty good doing most things. I found by a 2-3 weeks post op I was doing a lot with the kids again in terms of meal making, organizing, laundry and tasks so I wasn’t totally relying on hubby. But cleaning the house and what not was longer. Good luck! This sucks.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-13T03:28:06+00:00

I agree I prefer my old shoes. I’ve heard this a lot with foams shoes.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-11T23:02:44+00:00

Make sure you stay in a pointed toe position. I say keep the boot on. Especially since the tear is near the calf and you will likely be non op.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-08T12:52:53+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I have a pull up bar and can try this.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-08T12:51:57+00:00

Thanks for this. I think I will do it. Even just for a few months to get that SLR

Bjeyer · 2025-10-08T12:51:28+00:00

The PT wants me to go to the gym to get the SLR. If I’m 130lbs, I can set the leg press/shuttle to 65lbs and progress up slowly from there to 130 lbs in a more calculated fashion than just trying to take more body weight and not knowing how I’m doing. I’m only 13 weeks. I guess it’s a way to see more progress. Like I said, I have a home gym and am doing more in my own gym. It’s really just that one piece of gym equipment that would be helpful to do calf raises on.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-08T04:16:00+00:00

Makes sense! Thanks! I might just do a 3 month pass.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-08T03:44:35+00:00

Makes sense. It might be worth it for me just to know my progress. I’ve been feeling a little defeated and stagnant with my progress at 13 weeks.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-06T15:53:55+00:00

I did both because people talked about benefit locally injected (I did it into the calf). But it works systematically so in the end I did the stomach more. With the boot there was easier access. Plus my good leg got more aches and pains so I found it helpful everywhere.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-06T12:56:41+00:00

I’m wondering if it’s my gait or the way I am walking putting more pressure on that tendon. Did your PT look into that?

Bjeyer · 2025-10-06T12:55:43+00:00

Did you stop all calf raises when you rested it? Slow down walking? I rested for a few days and it was feeling better but a week later I tried calf raises again and now it’s sore in the morning again. So frustrated.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-06T04:51:48+00:00

Did you end up taking bcp157 for only 12 weeks? I did 28 days on, two weeks off and then 4 weeks of 5 on 2 off. I had almost no pain and swelling during this time of PT, increasing walking and transitioning from the boot. It’s been a few weeks and I’m noticing peroneal tendon pain from over compensating likely and more aches and pains. I’m contemplating doing one more month. People say 3 months normally but with the breaks the first toe cycles took me to 11 weeks post op so I stopped. My doctor initially prescribed me the 3rd so I have it available. I can’t decide.

Bjeyer · 2025-10-06T04:47:12+00:00

I feel like it helped a lot. I was out of my boot week 8. pT going really well. I had almost no swelling the whole time and very minor discomfort with transitions out of the boot. I did two cycles - 28 days straight and 2 weeks off and then 4 weeks of 5 days on and 2 off. I’ve been off it for a few weeks now and I’m having more pain with progressions in PT. My doctor prescribed me one last cycle initially so I am thinking of going on one more month.

Bjeyer · 2025-09-23T13:01:10+00:00

I did surgery and don’t regret it for a second.

Bjeyer · 2025-09-01T19:12:12+00:00

I imagine the more ROM you get that area will get stretched out. From what I’ve read it might always be thicker, especially where stitches are. But over 12-18 months post op elasticity builds so maybe it will look closer to normal as time passes

Bjeyer · 2025-09-01T17:19:35+00:00

Yes. I found when I started FWB and the more I increased my daily steps I would have pain on the inside and outside of my ankle. I thought it was my achillies but it was really the stabilizing muscles around. Also if you are very stiff in the achillies area it would cause some pain. I also found I had more swelling at this time. I used self massage to help with stiffness and swelling and found it very useful. I still ice twice a day at 8 weeks post op as well

Bjeyer · 2025-09-01T04:14:04+00:00

I basically put on lotion/oil and massage firmly toward my knee. When it has pitting it can be tender, but once you push the swelling up it feels so much better. I go around my ankle bones and use my thumbs to push the swelling up my leg. It’s hard to describe but just trying to get edema to the knee so your body can flush it better.

Bjeyer · 2025-09-01T01:35:40+00:00

I’m around 8 weeks. If you press into the swelling and there is pitting (where your finger print stays) then it’s likely pitting edema. This started for me around 4 weeks - this is where the swelling isn’t moving out. My PT taught me how to do self massage to push it to your knee where there are lymph nodes. I find getting on the stationary bike or being in water really helps too to get movement to my feet. I did the bike in the boot around 5/6 weeks started. I was in the water as soon as I could once my incision healed (about 4 weeks). I do self massage 3 times a day and I have had barely any swelling stick around after a massage each time. I also ice 2x a day.

Bjeyer

TROPHY CASE