Squat versus lunge for foot injury. - JP Fitness Forums

gregl515 · 03-06-2007, 09:58 AM

I am not sure where to go with this but I am putting it here in the hope that I can pick Bill Hatman's big brain!

I lost my right leg below the knee. Since I don't have a calf their, quad and hip development is crucial to my ability to rise and stand. I also developed a sharko foot on my remaining left foot. I have gotten specially made orthotics and that seems to be addressing the problem.

My question is this. I was doing body weight squats and body weight one legged squats and King deadlifts. My foot doctor said that he would prefer I do body weight lunges and split squats because he doesn't want to put too much strain on my foot. My question is this: I think that the lunges and split squats put more stress on the foot because of the bending than squats which have little if any foot bending. Shouldn't I be doing BW squats and maybe split squats rather than lunges to protect the foot? I think the foot doctor my be envisioning some major squat with competition weight and foot bending and supporting the weight.

Thanks in advance!

Greg

By the way, I think Muscle Prescription was great and I don't understand why there wasnt more of a push for it.

UConnJulie · 03-06-2007, 10:22 AM

My guess is that they are trying to limit weight-bearing on your left foot and that's why they want you doing more unilateral/split-stance type stuff. To really work your amputated leg, have the left foot back and use it primarily for balance (and this would limit the weight-bearing stress on it). In this way you will really work the hams, quads, and gluteals on the amputation side.

What kind of treatment have they done for the Charko foot?

gregl515 · 03-07-2007, 09:06 AM

They gave me a custom orthotic to support the foot. They wanted to support the foot so that it does not collapse or deform. They explained to me that the bones can soften for a period of time and reharden in a form that is not functional. They caught this in time.
The foot doctor told me that they wanted to limit the bend in the foot and that is why they were pushing lunges instead of squats. I like the doctor but I am convinced that he does not know much about exercise and that is why I am asking. If the problem is with bending the foot, why would he recommend exercises that actually bend the foot more? If the problem is weight bearing, wouldn't bodyweight squats be about the same as a bodyweight lunge or split squat for weight bearing?

UConnJulie · 03-07-2007, 10:34 AM

Hmmmm ... well if you are doing a properly executed squat, there shouldn't be much bend in your foot (not ankle, but foot) because the weight is on your heels ... in doing a lunge, if the Charcot foot is in front there would be minimal bend, but if it is in back, there would be a lot of bend.

Maybe you need to demonstrate for him and ask him while you are doing it ...

gregl515 · 03-07-2007, 08:35 PM

I looked up charcot foot on the internet and now I am really confused. The article said a major concern is weight bearing. So am I supposed to protect the foot from bending or weight bearing? The one thing that was encouraging is that it does not appear to be a permanent condition.

UConnJulie · 03-08-2007, 06:12 AM

Right ... that is what I have always know ... to protect the foot and allow it to heal properly, you limit weightbearing (with appropriate bracing/footwear/casting). I think you need to clarify this with your foot guy ... ask him exactly what he wants to limit and at which joints (ankle-talocrural, any part of the foot-midtarsal, tarsometatarsal, etc). DEMONSTRTATE split squats/lunges/squats for him and have him tell you which he wants or doesn't want you doing ...
I know how frustrating this must be .... but remember that it will only be that much more difficult to walk if your remaining foot is permanently damaged due to Charcot ...