1st run after ACL reconstruction......ouch

riverfreak

so made my first run after ACL reconstruction surgery - 6 months out - did a few surface bunny hop 180s and powerslides - just rode mainly - passing a boat - somewhat painful - guess I'm not ready - it was very disapointing - I was expecting more - and less pain.......

any thoughts....... my legs aren't sore at all - but I've been gimpy on the knee since Saturday...... need more time I guess

SCBrips · Posted: Apr 05, 2010 9:47 am Post subject:

Dont feel bad, man. I had the exact same experience my first time out after ACL reconstruction. IT HURTS.

Just keep rehabbing the knee and taking it easy. And definitely get a brace if you don't already have one!

03parksridr · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 256 City: Edmond

I am 7 years post-op on my ACL reconstruction. if I don't wear a brace and try to ride I will hardly be able to walk the next day. Take SCBrips advice and get a high-quality knee brace. Asterisk makes some good ones that I use when I wakeboard and ride MX. Check them out.

LaynDoor · Outlaw Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 152 City: Meriden CT

Mine was replaced 5 years ago.... yea man, 6 months is waaaaaay too early.... unless you are getting professional rehabilitation 4 hours a day, 5 days a week....lol

Dont forget, your new ACL isnt as strong as your own was... so your leg needs to be alot stronger to compensate... Plus your muscles still need to learn how to fire correctly so that they can take the lead in holding your knee together... Im guessing with only 6 months to rehabilitate, you leg is still showing quite a bit of atrophy... Leg curls and leg extensions are your friend!

And I wouldnt wakebord without my brace.... EVS Web http://www.buywake.com/catalog/detail/EV_Co8rD

I dont use the brace for any other sport... but it is a must for wakeboarding!

Good luck with it... give wakeskating a whirl if you cant stay off the water... much less impact/twisting on the knee

riverfreak · Posted: Apr 05, 2010 11:26 am Post subject:

thanks - I found some older post as well - I have a defiance III donjoy I rode with -

honestly am probably short on the physical therapy end - I've did 3 months once a week - but have been doing my own and not consistently at the gym for the past 3 - lots of stairs and leg presses - I think I will stick to the slalom as the doc recommended for the next couple of months.........just the stance on the wakeboard is hard on the knee.......

I just had to try it - I haven't riden since I tore it in JUNE!!!!!

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Apr 05, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

I highly recommend RDLs (romanian deadlifts or stiff legged deadlifts) over leg curls. Much less strain on the knee. You might hear some crap that RDL's are bad for you - we'll they're wrong. As long as you do it with good form anyway. Check out this video she has perfect form:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYZjHErxMqQ

Then again if your PT person suggested leg curls I guess go with it. I won't claim to understand why though.

LaynDoor · Outlaw Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 152 City: Meriden CT

cbc2010 · Posted: Apr 08, 2010 1:22 pm Post subject:

Ive had two torn acl's.....one I tore in 2008 and got fixed and the other I tore in 2004 and never got fixed..... The one I got fixed is feelin great 2 years later.... almost cant even tell I ever hurt it at this point.... still just some tightness around the incision when I squat down but other than that its fine.... I dont think I even need a brace for it but I use one anyways.... the one I never fixed is only hurting more and more each year and because of it I tore some cartlidge in it too..... Long story short.... Its worth it to fix it quickly and rehab it hard.... It will better if you rehab it and had a decent doctor. And new ACL's once they fully graft to your knee are actually stronger than your original.... according to my doc at least.... hope you stay injury free though!

riverfreak · Posted: Apr 09, 2010 6:05 am Post subject:

thanks for all the input/advise - I did 3 sets of 15 50lbs deadlifts - omg - you were right - could hardly get out of bed the next morning - I've added more weights to the other exersizes I have been doing -

It is soooo difficult to fire the quad to hold weight for the leg extensions -I can do 15 lbs....thats it - working towards 30.....

time and patience - I'm gonna wait until June to try to ride again......

Jessekiss · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 City: Seattle, WA

Hey, I'm a Certified Athletic Trainer and have done a ton of ACL rehabs from high school athletes to pros...be careful taking some of this advice. There is no reason to ever do heavy (or even any) weighted leg curls or extensions. It puts a ridiculous amount of strain on the graft and his little if any benefit. If your knee is still bothering you, go to a physical therapist and keep going until you feel right. Be an advocate for yourself....It's your body and there is enough competition in the market that they should be clammoring for your business. Just a thought...

LaynDoor · Outlaw Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 152 City: Meriden CT

riverfreak · Posted: Apr 16, 2010 11:50 am Post subject:

actually the knee is close to the strength as before - I have really worked hard to strengthen - but I see that you are all absolutely right about waiting for the graft to heal

waiting for a pain free ride would be best - I'm a slalom skier as well - the doc told me to ride all I want - the stance is not as dangerous or straining and everything gets a nice workout -

thanks for all the advise - I'm gonna take it easy - and slap on the slim stick!!!

Jessekiss · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 City: Seattle, WA

LaynDoor, I couldn't agree with you more...definately don't go wasting your money on PT if it's not necessary (PTs are kinda the sworn enemy of athletic trainers), but what I'm saying is be an advocate for yourself. Too many people just accept that they have to just wait because that's what the doc or whoever says, but it's not the case. Find someone who is willing to work with you and your budget and MAKE yourself better. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now...