I've decided to post my Knee Injury Problem to possible assist anyone that may be showing similar symptoms to what I had initially.
2 years ago I tackled someone playing 5-a-side on a recently varnished surface. My leg stuck on the floor instead of sliding, knee twisted and the other player fell across my knee. I'd never experienced pain like it, but after a couple of mins managed to walk so went in net. First attempt at throwing the ball out & my knee gave way & I ended up on the floor again. My initial swelling wasn't to bad, but knee felt unstable & I would constantly tweak my ligament when sliding my shoes on & getting into the car etc. My first physio suspected medial ligament damage and my drawer test was no worse than my good leg. I eventually got back to running after approx 6-8 weeks only when out one day I had to stop quickly with my left knee only for me to tweak it again. I always suspected my ACL was damaged so I eventually went to see a consultant. The MRI Scan proved inconclusive & my ACL looked intact a only showed a slight carlidge tear on the outside of the medial meniscus. The consultant couldn't understand why my leg would give way so he did a Pivot Shift Test on me...This proved +ve and because of this he said to regain stability within the knee I would probably need a re-construction...However because of my age & there being more give in my old knees he recommended some more physio initially & then review my knee later.... Its worth noting here that both the drawer test & pivot shift test can give negative results if your muscles aren't relaxed.
The physio was great news and entailed strength exercises to the Quads & Hamstrings & alot of Proprioception on a wobble board which made a big difference to myself. Anyway to cut a long story short I eventually got back to playing football with a Short Knee Brace (McMurdo type with thick metal straps either side of the leg)after about 8 months. Every week I played my knee felt better & better. However in March this year (18 months after injury my cartlidge tear got worse & left me out of action for 3 weeks & with problems kneeling.
Another trip to the consultant & booked in for an op for a Cartlidge Trim & possible ACL Reconstruction last Friday. There was still a grey area around whether my ligament needed doing or not.
I was given the option of watching the operation so went for a Spinal Injection. 5mins after the injection my legs were completly numb & the Surgeon Did the Pivot Shift Test On My Left Knee...needless to say, without any Quad & Hamstring Muscle Control the leg was hopelessly unstable and consequently had a postive Pivot Shift.
As I watched the operation proceed, My ACL was actually intact but had been stretched too far to have been of any use.
After the Spinal wore off i've had virtually no pain and the knee swelling is now starting to subside.
It's been a long 2 years, but I only wish I had it done initially as trying to come back and play football even with strengthened Muscles etc made my Cartlidge tear worse..( A Bucket Handle Tear) I did a lot of training prior to the operation, mainly hard Cycling, but I'm sure it has helped.
Anyone with ACL doubts get yourself a good Surgeon who specialises in Knee & ACL Reconstructions. & do the Physio & Muscle strengthening Excercises prior to op...I'm 48yrs at present& if everything goes as planned I'm looking to play football next summer again
Hope This Helps

Brizy