Knee injury

[lv929]

I recently (three months ago) had a very traumatic knee injury (motorbike accident) and have a large vertical scar, some swelling, and reduced bend ( less than 90 degrees), though this is improving, but very very slowly. I was not told I had damaged any ligaments, I did not break anything, and I have little or no pain, just the bending and bruising is slow to repair. I walk with a limp (if I'm tired) and can't do downstairs properly yet.

My boyfriend would help me with all my kit overland (so to speak) and he is my buddy diver. I can swim now (crawl, but not breast-stroke because of the bend problem) and have flown twice on long haul flights this month where my leg swelled a little but recovered after 12 hours or so..

I really really want to get back into the water again, would I be silly, because I can't think of a medical reason why I shouldn't? I would only consider it with my boyfriend who knows my situation.

[dry suit diver]

get a medical assesment by a doctor who understands Hyperbaric situiations. the outcome may be limitd depth and limited types of diving but only a dive doc can make the call.

the pressure and elevated ppO2 may help the injury but my opinion is worth as much as the paper its not written on.

for a third time in this post just to get the point across firmly

See a dive doc.

[Fiona]

Why are people so obsessed with Diving Docs - sorry I lost faith in these a long time ago.


If it was me I would know when I am back to dive fitness, it all about comfort - how do you feel ?

For me having knackered knees is something I have to live with.

Speak to your Physio and tell them what you are doing theycan advise you on exercise to build up muscles around the injury.

[nigelH]

My guess is that the answer should be no.

You probably have a volume of very compromised circulation and the gas on/gas off predictions for decompression diving are wrecked (all diving is decompression diving we just plan for zero stops).

OK I'd just go do it on a high nitrox and a shallow profile but you're not as daft as I am.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Why are people so obsessed with Diving Docs - sorry I lost faith in these a long time ago.


If it was me I would know when I am back to dive fitness, it all about comfort - how do you feel ?

For me having knackered knees is something I have to live with.

Speak to your Physio and tell them what you are doing theycan advise you on exercise to build up muscles around the injury.

Obsessed no- but if its sore and red then there may be an issue with on and off gassing - bend territory i beleive, oh and then there will be the matter of insurance companies not coughing up if anything happens.

" Oh mrs LV929 we are very sorry but we can't pay out as you had a seriuois injury and not been told by a doctor with specialist knowledge you can dive again"

why not give DDRC a call and have a chat, sure you will get some advice.

[hogen-deifar]

I've got two total knee replacements and 12 inch vertical scars up the front of the knees. I asked if having the TKR would be a problem with diving and the answer was NO. The only problem may be that IF I got a bend (actually with my past track record WHEN I get a bend ) I may not be able to feel the "tingles" in the knee joints.

There are ways around diving from the lifting perspective, as Fiona said.

However, your op wasn't that long ago, so there may be issues. Just give a diving Doc, or your GP if they're clued on about these things, and get the to dive.

Like someone said, IF you're feeling strong enough then perhaps stick to below 10M and diver nitrox on air tables? That's all I'm doing at the mo (was suggested I didn't diver, but sod that!!!), for other reasons, but at least it gets you back in the water. The only reason why I say get the OK to dive is cos your op is very recent.

And you need to do more physio at home on your knees! After 3months you should have more than 90 degrees! I had a bully of a consultant and physio and I've pretty much got full bend now because of it, and had that within 3 months because they wouldn't let me give up!

Good luck!

[Loctite]

I too had a bad bike smash.

I snapped all the major knee ligaments acl - pcl - lcl and bust my pelvis open plus bust wrist.

7 months later I started diving. I haven't had one problem despite reconstructed pelvis and donnor ligaments in my knee. The docs said I was fine.

The bend in the knee will return, just keep practising, do it in the bath when it's warm and use tiger balm. Basically the bruising, swelling and lack of bend is down to fluid/blood in the joint. Work it out by keep bending.

I was told by two doctors I was going to lose my leg, the third choose to operate but said I'd never walk normal again. With my pelvis I was given a 4% chance of surviving.

I said bollocks and have shocked them all with my recovery

[Steve S]

I dive with a carbon fibre PCL reconstruction, that and the muscle is all that holds it together. I only have 90 deg of bend as well as major instability, I can 'waggle' the tib/fib backwards and forward in the socket as a drunken party trick

It has never caused me any problem diving except for getting in/out of the water.

Dive on nitrox, preferably from a boat with a lift and ascend much slower than you would normally, while padding out any stops.

On the other hand if you feel in any way worried get in touch with a diving doc.

Good luck.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Marky Mark]

It had to happen, obviously research sponsored by S&N


Don't Forget: Drink a Beer—Or Two—Daily!: Scientific American

Obviously I need another drink, sorry I miss posted this;(

[freshwaterdiver]

You've been through the wars on your bike, just hope I never come off mine - or more to the point, no one knocks me off mine.
Little wonder you called yourself "loctite"! - fantastic to here you have been recovering well and back into diving after that horrific accident.