Anyone experienced complete LCL tear?

After being hit by another skier past Sunday on a steep icy slope and careening down the mountain I wound up with the following as per radiologist reading of my MRI:

Full thickness proximal tear of ACL, longitudinal horizontal tear post horn Medial meniscus which extends to tibial articulate surface, very small. Chondral fissure at median ridge patella, less then 50 percent of thickness,.
Chronic thinning posterior medial femoral condole cartilage. Small impacted fructure of posterior lateral tibial plateau.
Biceps femoris  is partially torn from fibula and fibula collateral ligament is completely torn off from fibula.

I am scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery but I am questioning the surgeon’s conservative approach (“it will heal on its own”) to the fully torn LCL (it’s actually an avulsion fracture). I would appreciate hearing about others experiences. 

P.S. I know and like this very experienced surgeon

I tore my LCL in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu accident (100% tear but no injury to any other ligaments or tissue). This was about 10 years ago at age 32.  My ortho didn't think repair was necessary and I've been without an LCL since then, with no apparent negative effects as far as I can tell.  As I understand it, the LCL doesn't heal on its own in the sense that it reattaches to the bone - you just go on without one.  I was back climbing (with a knee brace) 6 weeks after the accident.

My doctor asked what sort of sports I practice and given the fact that I don't ski or do things that involve "cutting" moves (basketball) I think that played a role in the decision.  I hike, snowboard, climb and surf and I've never experienced any pain or instability whatsoever, and I don't baby it.  Good luck!  

Jason Kim wrote:

I tore my LCL in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu accident (100% tear but no injury to any other ligaments or tissue). This was about 10 years ago at age 32.  My ortho didn't think repair was necessary and I've been without an LCL since then, with no apparent negative effects as far as I can tell.  As I understand it, the LCL doesn't heal on its own in the sense that it reattaches to the bone - you just go on without one.  I was back climbing (with a knee brace) 6 weeks after the accident.

My doctor asked what sort of sports I practice and given the fact that I don't ski or do things that involve "cutting" moves (basketball) I think that played a role in the decision.  I hike, snowboard, climb and surf and I've never experienced any pain or instability whatsoever, and I don't baby it.  Good luck!  

Jason,

normajean wrote:

After being hit by another skier past Sunday on a steep icy slope and careening down the mountain I wound up with the following as per radiologist reading of my MRI:

Full thickness proximal tear of ACL, longitudinal horizontal tear post horn Medial meniscus which extends to tibial articulate surface, very small. Chondral fissure at median ridge patella, less then 50 percent of thickness,.
Chronic thinning posterior medial femoral condole cartilage. Small impacted fructure of posterior lateral tibial plateau.
Biceps femoris  is partially torn from fibula and fibula collateral ligament is completely torn off from fibula.

I am scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery but I am questioning the surgeon’s conservative approach (“it will heal on its own”) to the fully torn LCL (it’s actually an avulsion fracture). I would appreciate hearing about others experiences. 

P.S. I know and like this very experienced surgeon

If you have a proximal ACL tear, you may be eligible for ACL repair (as opposed to reconstruction). Way less invasive and shorter recovery. Look it up. In the US Dr. Greg Difelice seems to be the spokesperson for this approach. 

I cant offer any advice on the LCL but it seems like a rather crucial ligament to me?

I continued to train for another 2-3 years after the LCL injury, and it never bothered me, though I changed my strategy a bit and became more cautious about putting bigger/uncontrolled guys in my guard. This happened because a 300+ lb beginner tried to pass my guard by body slamming me, and my leg got caught in a weird position. I eventually quit BJJ due to persistent neck issues. It was a bummer, but the constant pain wasn't worth it.

Knee has never bothered me surfing, once it healed.  Good luck, it seems like a fairly benign injury, as far as knees are concerned!