Thread: Torn ACL
View Single Post
Old 08-14-2007, 06:41 AM   #12 (permalink)
UConnJulie
PEELEing :o)
 
UConnJulie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 5,572
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
Doctor wants to try rehab for a while but wants ME to rehab the knee on my own since I go to the gym all the time.

He didn't give me much guidance though I specifically asked about a routine..all he said was to:

Avoid squats
Avoid lunges
Avoid leg press

To do:
leg extensions
leg curls
Swim

Now..this flys in the face of everything I ever thought about knee health. WTF?

I asked him about eliptical training..he said only if I felt my knee was ready for it...

Anybody here with experience rehabbing ACL injury have an opinion on this rehab advice?

He wants me to strengthen my quads and hammies and come see him in 6 weeks. I'm a bit nervous about rehabbing this on my own. I obviously have no idea what I should do since I would have never in a million years chosen leg extensions or curls.

Another example of a sadly misinformed surgeon. Sigh.

Obviously you don't want to start with heavy squats or lunges or whatever, but they are not inherently "dangerous" for ACL-deficient persons. The focus of your "rehab" needs to be fourfold:
1. Get the quads firing properly again.
2. Get the hamstrings strong to make up for the lack of ACL.
3. Get the gluteals working properly.
4. Full range of motion in the knee.

Before I give you some exercise examples, I have some questions ...
1. Are your quads atrophied on that side? Can you contract them and feel them contracting (with your fingers on the muscle)?
2. What is your range of motion like? Does your knee go all the way straight (nonweightbearing)? How close to your butt can you get your heel?
3. Can you bridge?
4. Just walking around in your daily life do you feel like the knee is unstable?
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
Watch Me Shrink
PM me if you want access ... the more the merrier!
UConnJulie is offline   Reply With Quote