After climbing back up from below the west launch at Mt. Borah (assisted by two other helpful pilots including Pedro) I got a well thought out examination from Dr. Lotten (head of the emergency room at the John Hunter hospital in Newcastle). He determined (without the use a an MRI, which we didn't have on launch) that I most likely had a Grade 2 tear to my medial collateral ligament (inside side ligament). I had known something was hurt when I let out a involuntary scream of pain about a minute after I "landed," when my knee "clicked" or twisted."

Conrad ran a series of tests on my leg as we sat back on the wooden benches at the back of the carpet. He could see that my knee had a side to side wobble. Not good.

Belinda drove me to the little emergency room at the Manilla hospital and after paying the $60 fee in cash (the credit card machine was down), I got x-rays that said my bones were fine. Come back in a week and see how things have or have not stabilized.

Turns out there are many pilots who have had knee injuries (including Kari Castle who I knew about and was there to help me) and thankfully they are all willing to share their stories and advice (some of it contradictory). I listened happily to every story and hoped for the best outcome.

The next day I got to try on a brace with lateral support thanks to Brod Osborne, who doesn't have any ACLs. The lateral support keeps the knee from caving to the side which would tear other ligaments (a bugaboo that Conrad warned me about). A brace would give me much more confidence when walking around that my leg wasn't suddenly going to collapse. I've ordered this brace, the MD429. This was the first brace I could get in short order over the internet here in Australia, and I want my knee laterally stable now (actually three days ago, but this is being written on Monday).

I haven't been able yet to find the more sophisticated sports oriented braces here in Australia on the internet (although I contacted the distributor for Don Joy Sports Knee braces). I'm looking for one that allows for full range of motion (for bicycling) while providing lateral support. Any suggestions out there?

The idea is to continue exercising and don't let the quads get weak. The quads are very important in maintaining proper knee functioning. My quads are strong from bicycling. It is my understanding that movement is important for healing and I need to exercise and move to help the healing process, without tearing the ligament any more. The sports medicine approach to quick healing, as opposed to the lie in bed and rest approach.

I have a number of exercises taken from different pilots and doctors that I am carrying out. The main one is squats. According to Conrad the evidence shows that this is better than raising the leg while seated, even with weight on the leg.

On the advice of the local Chemist (Pharmacist) I am using Arnica gel on the knee to reduce swelling and last night I wrapped the knee in a bit of sodium carbonate crystals to also reduce the swelling.

Whether I have to have orthopedic surgery to repair the damage will depend how extensive it is and how well I do with my exercise regime and not tearing it any more. I hope to be cart launching and foot landing in two months in Arizona.

Jonny Durand had a best or weirdest story. He tore both of his ACL's two years ago in a motorbike incident. He crawled out and crawled around for a few days, then within a week went off flying in a meet in Western Australian. He crashed on landing every time as his legs wouldn't hold him up.

That was two years ago. He claims that the doctors tell him it shouldn't happen but that there are new fibers growing back in the ligaments. No braces, no surgery. Just a young stubborn mind and a vegetarian habit.