My knee!

So we are currently on our annual ski vacation in Colorado. We arrived in Steamboat Springs on Saturday afternoon with the plan to ski there Sun-Wed, then drive down to Frisco, and ski at Beaver Creek, Copper and maybe A-basin, returning to Madison late Saturday. 7 full days of skiing. I was sooooo looking forward to this. Up until this week Colorado, like much of the country has not received normal snow falls this year. In Wi we have really only received 2 measurable snowfalls this season. So although there has been snow - the base of snow at the resorts is no where 'normal', but I was still excited.

We got up early on Sunday morning and headed up the Gondola at Steamboat. It was pretty chilly in the morning and the snow was crusty and icy. On my second run, things were going fine, keeping control, slowing down as necessary for the ice. Then my ski slipped out and I was not able to recover. I took a tumble, it really wasn't very violent, my bindings didn't release. Best I can remember, my knee got twisted inward and pop it went. The kids stopped right by me and asked "are you OK?".
My response, "I don't think so".

My knee didn't hurt, it simply didn't feel right. Ski patrol showed up and checked things out. Verdict was that I would ride the sled down the mountain, and go to the ER for a check.

I have always seen people getting taken off the mountain by ski patrol and thought 'wow I hope I never have to take that way down the mountain'. But on Sunday, that was my path down the mountain. I just kept praying that my patrol person, Ashley, knew what she was doing. I would be lying if I said that it wasn't a slightly scary experience. They strap you into the sled with your head pointed down the hill. It is a really strange feeling to be sliding down the hill head first and not being able to see where you are going.

Anyway, we got down, loaded into a transport vehicle, and headed to the ER. X-rays showed nothing broken or cracked. Dr. poked and twisted my knees and said that I probably either tore or sprained my ACL, but that I needed an MRI and they don't do those at ER. The popping sound is usually a dead giveaway for ACL tears. I have had slight swelling in my knee, but that is pretty much under control. I have been doing my stretching exercises, icing, taking ibuprofen and wearing a full knee brace. I have no pain what so ever.

I have an appointment with an Orthopedic Dr. next Tuesday. I am really hoping that it is a sprain not a tear - but I will have to wait to get the diagnosis.
Although I love to ski, it is something that happens once or twice a year . . . I could live without it . . . BUT I can't live without running. That is my priority!

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