Alta, UT 12/6/08
- Thread starter Admin
- Start date
If that's the worst injury you've incurred in your hundreds of ski days since going native, you're leading a charmed life.
I would not be so sure about the MCL self diagnosis. My 1995 injury at Targhee was first examined at the emergency room in Driggs. Since the docs there could only do X-rays, they said it was either MCL or meniscus, but would require an MRI to be sure. They also said meniscus was more likely, and that I should hope for that because I could be back in action in 6 weeks or so, while an MCL tear would need to be immobilized for some time before rehab could start. FYI ski area docs understand priorities, as they made the 6-week prediction while the Pasadena ortho assumed I was done for the season. That was not based upon diagnosis, just the observation that most people in L.A. would do the assigned rehab as ordered twice a week. But being a junkie, I did it on my own every day so I could get back on the hill ASAP.
Despite the above analogies, it is likely that your injury is less severe than mine was. After all, you skied the rest of the day while I went down the hill in the meat wagon.
I also agree with ChricC's powder comments. After a modest storm of a few inches it's better to ski the low angle stuff if you want powder flotation, because you will bottom out on anything with more pitch. And we all know that large chunks of Alta are way steeper than 99% of lift serviced terrain in the East. :sabre fight:
Despite the above analogies, it is likely that your injury is less severe than mine was. After all, you skied the rest of the day while I went down the hill in the meat wagon.
I also agree with ChricC's powder comments. After a modest storm of a few inches it's better to ski the low angle stuff if you want powder flotation, because you will bottom out on anything with more pitch. And we all know that large chunks of Alta are way steeper than 99% of lift serviced terrain in the East. :sabre fight:
Tony Crocker":zl7u5k1w said:
I am. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no MD and an MRI is the only way to be sure -- hence my appointment. However, after treating literally hundreds of knee injuries over the span of 9 years I've got a pretty good idea and I've watched the video re-enactment for the mechanism of the injury over and over again in a self-absorbed way. Also, the swelling is primarily over the knee's medial aspect, and there is point tenderness there, but only on the exterior. I have no internal discomfort.
tirolerpeter
New member
Best wishes for an uncomplicated and quick recovery Marc.
I did a few turns up at Alta today. It was pissing snow from the time I got there at noon until I left. My friend Paul and I were already not touching bottom in many places by 2:30. Not to tease you, but tomorrow morning should be terrific.
Get well soon! TP
I did a few turns up at Alta today. It was pissing snow from the time I got there at noon until I left. My friend Paul and I were already not touching bottom in many places by 2:30. Not to tease you, but tomorrow morning should be terrific.
Get well soon! TP
rfarren
New member
Admin":2wn9mhax said:
Not to seem callous or to scare you, but your symptoms are exactly what my cousin's were when he tore his acl. Of course, his fall was a bit different. We were at jay, and there was only one patch of ice on the mountain, I saw people falling from a mile away. He was oblivious to it, and tried to turn on it. It was a classic phantom foot. He was sore, but able to walk on it gingerly. Again, you have lots of experience, and have a good idea on whats going on. You don't have any knee instablity? Either way, lets hope all is well. Without you on the mountain i don't know how I'll get my utah fix photos.
rfarren":hd9855ns said:
I'd be shocked. Neither the mechanism nor the symptoms are there.
rfarren":hd9855ns said:
None that I can sense. It's not even that uncomfortable, really -- the swelling just inhibits flexibility. Were it a ski morning right now I'd probably go out and try to make some turns with it.
icelanticskier
New member
tirolerpeter":31aiq67d said:
the afternoon photo on alta's home page does look quite delicious. noon huh? good call. tomorrow should be deluxe. watch out for hidden treasures. enjoy!
rog
As some of you know I lost an ACL on my second ski day as a beginner in 1976. It was not diagnosed at the time because that was before MRI and I'm among the lucky 10% who have no instability without the ACL.rfarren":1d67vuho said:
So we're all speculating here, and thus it's important to find out what's going on ASAP in order to get admin back on the hill without risk of more injury. The major risk comes from reduced strength in the injured leg from inactivity (not walking on it etc.). Once my injured leg in 1995 was stronger than the other one from rehab, I was confident to resume skiing.
Despite all of the above comments, admin's described pain/symptoms are much less than my experiences in either 1976 or 1995. I suspect he will still leave me in the dust when I'm next in Utah MLK weekend.
Between the foot of new snow that Alta's reporting and the silence from Admin today, something's telling me that his knee didn't keep him home today.
Sharon
New member
Sorry about your knee. Bubba tore his MCL last year and did what he usually does...didn't go to a doctor. He nursed it all year and didn't ski. It is better this year and he enjoyed a day of skiing a few weeks ago. I hope your injury is not a season-ender.
Skidog and Bobby must be skiing today.
Skidog and Bobby must be skiing today.
The discussion icelantic initiated comparing to eastern powder days (from both this thread and 12/9) is here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7312
I can see the rationale but I'm going to wait a bit. If this is a majority view, I'll move it. Of course, if the czar of FTO wants to move it, he doesn't need to wait for a vote.