At what point would you go to the doctor?

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davemunger
davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
On Saturday after my race, I was doing a cooldown run when I tripped on a crack and crashed hard on the concrete sidewalk. Scraped my elbow, and bruised my knee.

On Sunday the knee still hurt but I managed to run 13 miles. I iced the knee twice that day but it continued to be painful.

This morning I went out for a short run but the knee was so painful that I bailed after 0.2 miles.

Now I'm starting to wonder if there's something more than a bruise going on. I was thinking of icing some more today, then if I still can't run tomorrow, going to get x-rays to see if the problem is something more significant.

What do MFPers think? Does that make sense? Or should I just go to the doctor today?
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Replies

  • roxylola
    roxylola Posts: 540 Member
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    I would go sooner, either it will reassure you or if you have done serious damage then the sooner it is fixed the better.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
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    At what point would I go to the doctor. That moment before I thought to ask medical advice on MFP. Just go to the doctor. We're random strangers who cannot give medical advice.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,725 Member
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    Definitely go to the doctor. Especially since you continued to put weight and pressure on it and it's gotten worse. Generally, it seems the "wait three to five days and then go see your doctor" advice assumes you're minimizing the exertion to allow the area to heal during that time.
  • AccioFitness
    AccioFitness Posts: 244 Member
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    As a former health professional; please, go to the doctor. Especially with you jumping back into a workout following a potential injury, the risks outweigh any possible benefits of "waiting it out."
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    Your fine, walk if off.

    How-About-No.-Doctor-Evil-W630.jpg
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,136 Member
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    Since you're bent on continuing to run, go now.

    If it happened to me, I would've taken a few days to rest up and deal with the injury. I certainly wouldn't go run 13 miles the next day and exacerbate it.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
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    Okay, thanks everyone, I'll go. I'm just not the sort of person who goes to the doctor every time I get the sniffles or a paper cut. But obviously this is more serious.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
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    I would go sooner, either it will reassure you or if you have done serious damage then the sooner it is fixed the better.

    ^^^^ this

    better to get it checked out early and either get your mind put at rest or get it treated
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
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    when would *I* go to the doctor? after the fall and before i did additional exercise (could be further damage)
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
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    Where is it painful? Around the joint, or over your patella? Is it tender to touch either on your patella or at the head of your tibia? Do you have full range of movement? Can you flex your knee 90 degrees or more?Is it swollen, discoloured, red or hot? Do you have any pins and needles below the knee? Can you weight bear for more than a few steps?

    Basically if you can bend it, walk on it and it isn't tender on palpation at those points you wouldn't score an X-ray under the Ottawa Knee Rules. These are designed to avoid unnecessary radiation in none serious injuries. (Also if you are under 55)
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
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    Where is it painful? Around the joint, or over your patella? Is it tender to touch either on your patella or at the head of your tibia? Do you have full range of movement? Can you flex your knee 90 degrees or more?Is it swollen, discoloured, red or hot? Do you have any pins and needles below the knee? Can you weight bear for more than a few steps?

    Basically if you can bend it, walk on it and it isn't tender on palpation at those points you wouldn't score an X-ray under the Ottawa Knee Rules. These are designed to avoid unnecessary radiation in none serious injuries. (Also if you are under 55)

    Thanks for the guidelines. Basically other than being tender to the touch and not being able to run on it I can do all those things.
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
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    Where is it painful? Around the joint, or over your patella? Is it tender to touch either on your patella or at the head of your tibia? Do you have full range of movement? Can you flex your knee 90 degrees or more?Is it swollen, discoloured, red or hot? Do you have any pins and needles below the knee? Can you weight bear for more than a few steps?

    Basically if you can bend it, walk on it and it isn't tender on palpation at those points you wouldn't score an X-ray under the Ottawa Knee Rules. These are designed to avoid unnecessary radiation in none serious injuries. (Also if you are under 55)

    Thanks for the guidelines. Basically other than being tender to the touch and not being able to run on it I can do all those things.

    Ok without seeing it, and as its only a couple of days since you did it, if it was me I would rest it and see how it goes. Once your soft tissue swelling goes down you will have more idea. (Though I am just a random internet stranger who could be lying about working in emergency departments for 15 years so I'm not saying DON'T go to the doctor)
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,639 Member
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    Your fine, walk if off.


    OP go to your doctor, because the moment you ask for medical advice on a forum full of strangers, you tend to get answers such as the ridiculous one I have just quoted above.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    Okay, thanks everyone, I'll go. I'm just not the sort of person who goes to the doctor every time I get the sniffles or a paper cut. But obviously this is more serious.
    Neither am I. But when I fell rollerblading and my wrist was painful and swollen, I went to the doctor.
  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
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    Years ago, I needed surgery because I played soccer after injuring my knee by tripping and falling while running. It might have been okay if I had rested it until it was healed, but I tore my meniscus during the game. Definitely don't run until you get it checked out by a sports medicine specialist, even if you take some time to rest and ice it and see how it feels.

    Side note: I ended up seeing my surgeon at a race this summer, so he's a runner, too.
  • vampirequeen1959
    vampirequeen1959 Posts: 196 Member
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    Better safe than sorry. Get it checked out.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
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    I will be seeing the doctor this afternoon. Thanks again for prodding me in the right direction.
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
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    I will be seeing the doctor this afternoon. Thanks again for prodding me in the right direction.
    good call.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
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    I'm back from the doctor with good news -- I had an x-ray and there is no sign of any bone damage. There are no obvious signs of a ligament tear either (although you'd really need an MRI to be sure). So it is probably just bruised tissue and the doc says no running until the end of the week.

    She says any exercise that doesn't hurt is okay so I may give the elliptical trainer a shot.
  • mikeykhan2003
    mikeykhan2003 Posts: 177
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    I'd go after 4 hours like the commercial says.

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