Any medical guru here?

Discussion in 'Injuries' started by wocdam, Nov 26, 2007.

  1. wocdam

    wocdam Regular Member

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    Been playing quite regularly these few months, about twice a week. Now it has become a problem for me, because i can't seem to recover in time from my fatigues.
    I'm about 5'7" and the last time i weigh myself, i'm about 240++++ lbs(the scale only up to 240lbs). the trouble is i've been carrying some injury. I had a ACL recon a few years back, but the initial injury left me with a torn ACL, MCL, cartilage, meniscus. after the surgery, they removed 1/3 of my hamstring to use as graft, 70% of my torn meniscus, and my cartilage was grinded by myself due to delay in having surgery (I had it done 3 years after injuring the knee). besides that, i also have plantar fasciitis on both feet, and Achilles tendinitis. so now i have to use extra strength in my calves and thighs to make up for the loss of stability in the knee.
    Recently, my knee is making a "clack" sound when i bent it fully. it's similar to snapping some plastic clip into place. also, my lower leg feels very sore, particularly the portion where the achilles join to the calf(between ankle and calf). I've tried previously to rest about 7-10 days before playing, but after one session about 2 hours, the next day i find it hard to walk even. so i thought it was just a matter of getting used to. However after 3months, the situation doesn't improve.

    Any advice? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Gollum

    Gollum Regular Member

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    Good grief. What a list of injuries! The simple answer is that you should see a doctor.

    You have a body mass index of at least 37.5, which is morbidly obese. If you have huge muscle mass, then this figure could be misleading; but this is rare, and I'm going to assume the bulk of your bulk is fat.

    This will inevitably make your knee problems much, much worse. You will likely need knee replacements as you get older.

    Quite apart from your knee problems, your weight puts your general health in danger. You have massively greater risk of cardiovascular accidents (heart attack, stroke, and so on) and of developing type 2 diabetes. Your risk of some types of cancer is also raised. All of these factors lead to a significant reduction in your life expectancy, and also in your quality of life.

    It doesn't take a doctor to realise you should lose weight. As a general guide, aim for a BMI of 20 - 25. Until you get your BMI much lower (say, under 30), it would be sensible to avoid high-impact activities such as badminton, because you will probably destroy your knees.
     
    #2 Gollum, Nov 26, 2007
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2007
  3. wocdam

    wocdam Regular Member

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    thanks, Gollum. I am aware of the heightened risks my weight puts on my health, and have done full screening every 6 months. So far, i'm lucky to find myself free from almost all health problems (with the exception of mild hypoglycemia, but that's a different story).
    I do know the extra pressure i'm putting my legs and feet through, and i'm hoping that there is someone who can have some relief measure which will enable me to continue playing.
    Before i had my injury, I weigh about 170 to 185 lbs(overweight) but i had been able to play all sports without any problems. In fact i used to represent my school in basketball and soccer. Running and jumping was no problem to me. Only after my injury, i was told by a doctor, i couldn't play soccer and basketball again, due to my knee's instability.
    I've tried a lot of ways to reduce weight, but apparently it's not working. I guess the next best thing now is, while i'm trying to lose my weight, i need some sort of pain remedy to help me sort out the pains and aches. I don't play as hard as i used to anymore, obviously due to the injury, but i do hope i still can play at a recreational level.
     
  4. Loopy

    Loopy Regular Member

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    It looks like an internal meniscus lesion, which was precipitated by everything that happened to your knee, and your obesity.
    You very well know that obesity is your main concern right now, as the weight bearing will increase the wear and tear on your cartilages.
    For the interim, you can use shoes that absorbs shock better, try the usual painkillers (ie. acetaminophene). NSAIDS can be beneficial but abusing them can lead to kidney problems.
    You should follow a weight loss program, and stick to it. Most of the time, people get really excited about a program, follow it for a short period of time, then drops for a variety of reasons. The program is long term (years...).
    Altough it's easier said than done, there isn't any other way to go at it. Actually, there is. That is, after you've tried everything, there's bariatric surgery...

    Despite all I've said, the best single advice I can give you is to see your doctor, who can oversee all your problems and eventually refer you to other specialists for your articular and weight problems. Because advices given on the internet by some unknown people (like me or Gollum) aren't worth the real thing.
     
  5. stumblingfeet

    stumblingfeet Regular Member

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    Did you see a physical therapist after your surgery?
     
  6. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    You get to see a highly qualified orthopedic surgeon ASAP. Your shock absorbers are shot!
     
  7. Gollum

    Gollum Regular Member

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    That's good and wise, but it doesn't mean you're safe.

    Weight loss can be very difficult, because it's hard to make fundamental changes to your lifestyle. Nevertheless there is a straightforward way to lose weight: you simply eat less and exercise more. This will always work. A body cannot maintain its mass if it has insufficient energy input to supply its energy output.

    The reason you've failed so far is that it is psychologically difficult to maintain such discipline. Seemingly simple habits can be incredibly hard to change. Nonetheless I urge you to continue trying; and you should seek assistance with this. Again, your doctor is the first port of call.
     
  8. wocdam

    wocdam Regular Member

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    i went through 8 months of rehab after my surgery
    I've lost 70% of my meniscus, also got almost zero cartilage in my left knee.

    thanks everyone for their advice. i guess the only way out is to have some drastic weight loss before i continue to play regularly. will definitely try to eat less and do more exercises. as for the pain management part, will look for some doctor and see how it goes.
     
  9. SuperBird

    SuperBird Regular Member

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    i'm about 240++++ lbs(the scale only up to 240lbs

    I would recommend you to lose some weight by riding bike or any movements that don't required you to twist your knee a lots to try to shed some pounds. this will really help you with you knee problem.
    I am playing BAdminton w/out ACL recontructions for 8 months now.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcE8IIo0P1w

    I am in the middle of the video with knee support and left knee jumper strap support. You should see me jump smash......doctor told me i will never run again 20yrs ago--that what make me quit all sports that required twisting...Now I am back in badminton for 8 months now: I live 1, I will play Hard....enjoy life and pray the lord for strength........good luck
     
  10. szekt

    szekt Regular Member

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    wow wocdam, cant imagine how you even manage to play badminton according to the regime you described.

    As mentioned previously, it is pretty obvious that you have to lose weight; diet and exercise are both important but it is often easier said than done; a visit to the dietitian is a must and it takes tremendous will power to stick to the low calorie regime that they prescribe; you may want to visit your physiotherapist who would also prescribe various exercises appropriate for your condition; probably something with low impact on your knees like swimming or water based exercises. You certainly have to visit your doctor not just for health screening for the various comorbidities assoc with your high BMI, you may need to be screened for any endocrinological causes for your weight problems; lastly when all else fails certainly bariatric surgery has been proven to be effective.

    As for your joint problems a visit to the orthopedic surgeons may be necessary but your underlying problem is your body weight...the surgeons would only be able to attempt to fix your joint problems usu by operation but this would not tackle the underlying cause which is your weight....
     
  11. XtC-604

    XtC-604 Regular Member

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    I recommend liposuction, quick and easy way to do it. Then stick to a diet. Do some cycling, or Swimming(since you're floating in water, there is no weight stress on joints)
     
  12. Gemcat

    Gemcat Regular Member

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    Wow....240lbs:eek:...That's the heaviest badminton player I've ever seen (Tops Panda's 235lbs). I'm about your height and I'm only 192, but I feel really heavy already.

    I don't recommend liposuction because it's not a natural way of loosing fat. Just go on a diet, go swimming or do some jogging if you can. Glucosamine or Celadrin should help with your joint pains.

    I don't recommend you to continue badminton until you have full capability as badminton will require you to do movements which your body won't be able to handle at the current stage.
     

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