Friday, December 28, 2007

Back In The Saddle

Yesterday I went back to core "karate" class, and this afternoon I went to the gym for strength training--push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, dips, squats/lunges.

I thought about running on the elliptical machine for a bit, but passed on it because I'm still feeling the effects of my cold, though it's much improved.

I also did a "multi-planar" exercise my physical therapist gave me--stand with feet shoulder-width apart, keep the weight on the leg that had the ACL reconstruction, reach back with the other leg and twist the body--net effect is you're twisting the knee with the weight on it. (Note, this is NOT an exercise for newly reconstructed ACLs, I didn't start this one until I was fairly advanced in physical therapy.)

3 comments:

Hack Shaft said...

Man, just THINKING about any twisting motion on that knee makes me cringe!

Glad you're back to it, though.

Michele said...

I am always impressed by your training schedule.

I lost some ground this fall due to a demanding work schedule. I need to re-focus on my training to take my knee to the next level. My PT told me that it takes 6 months for the new ACL to heal completely. After 6 months, it is all about improving strength.

Bob M said...

Thanks, Paul, it's good to be reminded how far I've come post surgery. It will be good for YOU to anticipate how far you will go in your own recovery in the next few weeks after surgery, when it feels like recovery is a distant dream.

Thanks, Michele, it's interesting to hear that timetable. I think my doctor said it takes about 12 months to heal completely. Then again, he may have meant the combination of healing and improving strength; and since you're a youngster of 39, maybe it takes me longer to heal at 51!