Right Knee Recovery

[slimm26]

I had surgery on my right knee in March. They had to release it and put it back in place. It was misaligned pretty badly and I had some fluid and a lot of scar tissue that need to be removed. I have full flexability (FINALLY) but my strength isn't there. I can't do any squats without a ridiculous amount of pain. I can do leg extensions, leg curls, and calves with no issues. When I work my inner and outer thighs I still get some pain, but nothing I can't handle. I still can't hit the treadmill more than 5 minutes. I can hit the elliptical hard, but there is pain afterwards. Any suggestions on what I can to get the strength back. What I'm doing is helping, but only so much. Thanks.

[RagingBull666]

I've had six surgeries on my right knee one of which was a release.

You should not be doing much full range leg extensions or curls. Lockouts are critical for knee strength (i.e. just the top 4 inches of the move) and the same for the curls. Don't let your leg down all the way.

Movements such as the treadmill will cause pain. The stationary bike and elliptical are better options. Take it slow.

You can also PM Pixie she's a PT and has an incredible amount of knowledge for being so short. SS, RB

[slimm26]

Does 5'2 qualify as being as short as her...lol

I'll have to PM her.

I'm also having issues where I'll be walking and my knee will lock in place and it hurts like hell to get it back to where it needs to be. It feels like the knee dislocates and I have to pop it back into place. :(

[IliekFude]

I suggest doing some homework and finding a reputable physio therapy spot with trainers who know their shit and gettin to work on that knee. prolly start ya off with some modalities to work with range of motion if need be and strengthening excercises for the lil overlooked stabalizers etc that keep everything in alignment and moving as it should.
see if yr primary will get ya a referral and get insurance to take care of that for ya. good luck. goin thru knee probs myself right now. right quadracep tendinosis (microtears) and patela cysts with scar tissue and fluid stickin around from the trauma of the injury. gettin better tho.
ultrasound is great for scar tissue break up and getting blood in there. same with laser if needed and E-stim along with ice after excercises is awesome.
it can be annoying and tough to stick to the monotony of it but very well worth it, its working great for me. every day i improve some what.

[JoeD]

If you have knee problems leg extensions aren't a good option, imo.

[slimm26]

I don't do full extensions. I only go about half way and back down. That's what my doc told me to do. There is really no pain when I do it that way. When I do full leg extensions that is when the pain comes in. I do half leg extensions 4 sets of 10 at40/60/80/80

[RagingBull666]

Joe, you're wrong. You have no idea what you are talking about if you make that statement. To follow up please read what I said. DO NOT DO full ROM extensions but rather just the top 4 inches.

The locking up sounds like floaters but to take the advice of my PT and Pixie you really need to go see a PT about this. You can get all the advice in the world here but we haven't seen it and aren't doctors. SS, RB

[JoeD]

Joe, you're wrong. You have no idea what you are talking about if you make that statement. To follow up please read what I said. DO NOT DO full ROM extensions but rather just the top 4 inches.

The locking up sounds like floaters but to take the advice of my PT and Pixie you really need to go see a PT about this. You can get all the advice in the world here but we haven't seen it and aren't doctors. SS, RB

I didn't read what you wrote, but I do know that doing full leg extensions bothers my own and other people's knee joints. That's all i meant

[slimm26]

I did go to PT and I still do the exercises that they gave me, but I'm past what they gave me to do. I don't do full leg extensions at all at this point. My knee is ready for it. I only do half and just go heavier. :)

[Killer]

Hey Slimm,

To get a proper assement, go see your PT again and they should be able to advance you on your exercises.

[slimm26]

Small update

Went to go see my ortho since my knee was locking so much and was having sharp pains. Doc says I can't do anymore leg extensions..boooooooo. Said I have to start wearing my brace again until some of my muscles catch up to the others. I have a few muscles around my knee that aren't strengthened like they should be and that is why my knee is so loose. So, it's back to the at home exercises. I have to get some ankle weights to start walking around in as well. I'm seriously losing my patience with this and I have to get the other knee done at the end of the year! Lucky me!!! lol :rose:

[Killer]

Interesting. Many times top range leg extensions (with foot turned out) or a manual PNF pattern are indicated to strengthen the VMO which helps with knee tracking and dissapears (atrophy) after knee immobilization.

[RagingBull666]

Slimm, your doc is an idiot. Go see a sports specialist physical therapist. Top range leg extensions are crucial to strengthen the knee and all those little muscles. ONLY the top four inches though. A brace is just going to weaken an already weak knee. SS, RB

[Killer]

Agreed with Raging.

And since you are having so many problems, your doc should have you in PT any, especially given that you are not looking to get back to a sedentary lifestyle of cheetos and beer.

[slimm26]

Slimm, your doc is an idiot. Go see a sports specialist physical therapist. Top range leg extensions are crucial to strengthen the knee and all those little muscles. ONLY the top four inches though. A brace is just going to weaken an already weak knee. SS, RB

He is a sports specialist doctor. When I was doing leg extensions is was only half...I didn't pull all the way up.

[RagingBull666]

He is a sports specialist doctor. When I was doing leg extensions is was only half...I didn't pull all the way up.
You need to see a PT and get away from him for this part.

I am now officially confused?? What do you mean by "didn't pull all the way up"?? I am talking about extensions. Are you talking about leg curls?? You have to be as you don't "pull up" on leg extensions, you extend on leg extensions. Please clarify. SS, RB

[slimm26]

You need to see a PT and get away from him for this part.

I am now officially confused?? What do you mean by "didn't pull all the way up"?? I am talking about extensions. Are you talking about leg curls?? You have to be as you don't "pull up" on leg extensions, you extend on leg extensions. Please clarify. SS, RB



That's what I meant...fast typing and thinking about a numerous amount of things tends to make a RERE post! Sorry! lol :angel:

[RagingBull666]

Well slow down and answer the question. You still did not.

Are you talking about leg extensions or leg curls??

[canecorso]

Well slow down and answer the question. You still did not.

Are you talking about leg extensions or leg curls??

She's talking about leg extensions.

[RagingBull666]

If it is leg extensions then you SHOULD be locking out your leg, then come down 4 inches and back up. Don't do the bottom up just the top end. SS, RB

[canecorso]

If it is leg extensions then you SHOULD be locking out your leg, then come down 4 inches and back up. Don't do the bottom up just the top end. SS, RB

Thats what I was thinking for her, going all the way down is what is causing the pain, imo.....also not heavy but light and high reps correct?

[RagingBull666]

Thats what I was thinking for her, going all the way down is what is causing the pain, imo.....also not heavy but light and high reps correct?

Very much so with the light weights. I started with no weight and then progressed up but top end was 30 lbs. with 10 second holds on the lockout. Reps were always in the 15-20 range. SS, RB

[canecorso]

Very much so with the light weights. I started with no weight and then progressed up but top end was 30 lbs. with 10 second holds on the lockout. Reps were always in the 15-20 range. SS, RB

Awsome, thanks bro...I will relay the info!

[slimm26]

Awsome, thanks bro...I will relay the info!

Just write it into my new routine please! :heart:

[RagingBull666]

Also add in some straight leg raised with the quads flexed and the leg locked

[slimm26]

Also add in some straight leg raised with the quads flexed and the leg locked

Thanks! I do those at home everyday! 3 sets of 30...twice a day! :)

[slimm26]

If it is leg extensions then you SHOULD be locking out your leg, then come down 4 inches and back up. Don't do the bottom up just the top end. SS, RB

This is working out great! My knee pops a lot less and I really haven't had any pain. I can tell that it has gotten a lot stronger. I figure to give myself another week or two and I'll attempt squats with hubby by my side! Thanks RB!!! :)

[Killer]

Great!

I would start with some non weighted squats, where you push out your hands in front of you (or hold a 5 lb wieght) on the way down, and pull them in on the way back up (this will counterbalance your body) and you can asses whether you are ready for a squat before you load yourself.

Remember that the deeper the leg movement, the more stress is put on the patella/patella femoral groove. Hopefully you have a much stonger VMO now that will support better patella tracking.

Good luck!!!!

[SFork]

Joe, you're wrong. You have no idea what you are talking about if you make that statement. To follow up please read what I said. DO NOT DO full ROM extensions but rather just the top 4 inches.

The locking up sounds like floaters but to take the advice of my PT and Pixie you really need to go see a PT about this. You can get all the advice in the world here but we haven't seen it and aren't doctors. SS, RB

I've also had six knee operations (and a 12 inch scar, chicks dig scars hehe). I broke my patella in half in 1997 in a car crash. Leg extentions are great for me, I use them as a warm up before squats and never have any pain. I was doing triathlons and duathlons last year and the bike and swimming seemed to help, but running anything over 7 miles I was hurting. Squats are hit an miss for me, anything over 275lbs and it feel like my knee is going to pop off my leg.

[dirty~d~]

Slimm, I second/third the suggestion to find another Specialist. This guy doesn't sound like he did his own homework in school.

[slimm26]

I've also had six knee operations (and a 12 inch scar, chicks dig scars hehe). I broke my patella in half in 1997 in a car crash. Leg extentions are great for me, I use them as a warm up before squats and never have any pain. I was doing triathlons and duathlons last year and the bike and swimming seemed to help, but running anything over 7 miles I was hurting. Squats are hit an miss for me, anything over 275lbs and it feel like my knee is going to pop off my leg.

Squats were a total miss for me earlier in the week, but I woke up with my knee feeling good so I'm going to give it another shot today. I still get shooting pains in my knee, but I'm living with it. I ice it, but stay away from the braces.

Question...if I fully extend my knee back and forth and it sounds like dice is shaking around in there...do you think it's time to see the doctor again? I really don't want to go. I'm not done paying him off for the first surgery.

[slimm26]

*Thinking out loud*

I use to tape up my knee during workouts...maybe that would help

[Killer]

I would say, yes, go see him. It is possible you have some loose bodies or maybe some scar tissue from the surgery in the joint.

[Killer]

And I just peeped your pics on the pic forumn. Nice work!!!

But, I see that your body is set-up for patellar femoral problems as you have some Q angle going on there, with your femurs (thigh) angling in, then the tibia (shin) angles out.

Get that VMO strong to help that tracking!!!

:weightlifter:

[slimm26]

And I just peeped your pics on the pic forumn. Nice work!!!

But, I see that your body is set-up for patellar femoral problems as you have some Q angle going on there, with your femurs (thigh) angling in, then the tibia (shin) angles out.

Get that VMO strong to help that tracking!!!

:weightlifter:


I just saw this! Thanks!

My knee is still shot! It's such a pain! I do the PT exercises and everything I'm suppose to and it's still kills. I'm laying off the leg work for at least 3 weeks. Just stick to the at home exercises. I know my muscles are where they're suppose to be strength wise, but now I'm getting this cracking noise everytime I extend my leg...it's so irritating. I heat and ice it when I can. I only wrap it once in a while. I think I may have gone too heavy too fast. I'm going to give it a rest and ease my way back into it. See what happens. If that doesn't work I'm going to hit the doctor. I think a little too much scar tissue has built up and that is whats causing the discomfort and popping. I could be wrong...

[IliekFude]

Make sure yr training the opposing groups too slimm. Hammer that ham etc as hard as you train that knee.

[slimm26]

Make sure yr training the opposing groups too slimm. Hammer that ham etc as hard as you train that knee.

I have built quite a bit of strength in all the muscles of my legs...hams, calves, quads...all of them. I knew that all the other muscles are just as important to get my knee back in order. But I'm giving it all a rest...switched my leg days to cardio days for 3 weeks. I'm going to talk to my ortho this weekend see what he has to say.

[IliekFude]

gotcha, good luck!
im waiting on an MRI for my low back. ortho thinks he sees evidence of a slipped disc in my latest xray.
that n the fact that i fall to the floor in a fetal position if i pick something up out of the fridge the wrong way haha. :/
when it rains it pours im tellin ya.

[slimm26]

Everyone is falling apart around here.

My knee...My hubby's shoulder...your back...anyone else? :lol:

[SFork]

Everyone is falling apart around here.

My knee...My hubby's shoulder...your back...anyone else? :lol:

Yeah, my wrist (wearing a brace and can hardly lift my phone) also have a torn rotator cuff. Great way to start my PCT without the ability to lift let alone turn a door handle. Last week I couldn't do squats cause holding the bar killed my shoulder. Oh and I had a pinched nerve in my back a few weeks ago. Damn sucks getting OLD!!!

:boxing: