Quad question

[Hollywood]

TweetWell, I broke my knee back in July and am trying to find ways to strengthen my quads back up. I can't do squats or lunges because i'm still too weak to bend that knee all the way. Are there any other alternatives or ways to strengthen that quad up? I have ZERO muscle left in my left leg, even my calf muscle is gone.
By the way, I'm female, so these excersises have to be a little easier

[Drenten]

TweetHow about one-leg leg extensions with light weights?

[Aragorn]

TweetHave you worked with a swiss ball yet? There are some great exercises that can help you strengthen and rehabilitate you leg. Have you been to rehab yet or seen a physiotherapist?

Aragorn

[Hollywood]

TweetYeah, I've been to pysical therapy 3x a week since July. My quad just isn't wanting to strengthen. To make matters worse, the rods in my knee cap are coming out, you can feel the ends through my skin, it's pretty nasty, but they don't want to take those out until March. They want to wait till my knee cap is strong enough on its own, but I can't strengthen it! What do you suggest I do with the swiss ball?

[habs]

Tweet

Originally posted by Drenten
How about one-leg leg extensions with light weights?

Don't it leg extansions. I had a torn PCL a few months ago and the excercise you shouldn't do is the leg extansion. I've done light weight squats and it didn't hurt me. Leg presses can be dangerous if you put too heavy. You should wait before doing leg curls too. Do a lot of bike, lots of stretching but do not warp your hands arround your knees. You shouldn't touch your knees at all imo. You could do light leg presses and squats with almost no weight.

[Aragorn]

TweetThese are just a couple of places to look. You can download videos for the swiss ball on Kazaa and you can also seek help from you local physiotherapist and you gym.

Trunk strength

https://www.lifestylesport.com/TheraballTrunkSmall.jpg

Hips

https://www.lifestylesport.com/TheraballHipsSmall.jpg

Balance

https://www.lifestylesport.com/TheraballBalanceSmall.jpg

Recommended site

https://www.bodytrends.com/products/ball/index.htm

[Hollywood]

TweetGood advice, thanx alot! Is it cool if I don't go all the way down with squats and stuff though, cause like I said, even with no weight I can't go down very far before my knee starts popping again.

[Hollywood]

TweetThanx Aragorn, your AWESOME!!!

[Drenten]

Tweet

Originally posted by Hollywood
They want to wait till my knee cap is strong enough on its own

If the doctors are telling you to wait, then wait. Seriously, don’t rush things.

I had and eye injury once that was so severe that the doctors ordered me to take two weeks of bed rest. After that the most strenuous thing I could do for two months was walk from my bedroom to my living room and watch TV.

It truly sucked and I was going out of my mind, but I really wasn’t keen on loosing my eye.

[Hollywood]

TweetYeah, I don't want to mess my knee up too bad, you kinda need those

[Aragorn]

TweetI agree with waiting for the okay from your doctor and physiotherapist. No sense and rushing your injury. The swiss will help but nothing will help if you injury before it's healed. It sucks waiting but in the long run you'll be better for it and your knee won't tell you when it's going to rain.

Aragorn

[Hollywood]

TweetMy doc says I can do whatever I can handle in the gym, the only thing he said to hold off on was the surgery, just wanted to clear that up

[PURE ADRENALINE]

TweetThose are some great threads above but I have to say it sounds like you will be back under the knife soon to get those screws so take it easy.

It sucks being out of the loop but I can tell you from experience that waiting until you are fully healed is sooooo important.

I ripped my major pectoral tendon out of my shoulder and it set me out for 1 year !!!!

That sucked BUT I am now 4 years later I am 75lbs heavier, 250lbs presently, and my chest is strong as hell !!!!


Just listen to the doctor on this one!

[Hollywood]

TweetThanks for all the great advice guys! I knew I chose the right board