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OK, I took y’alls advice about the knee problem. It had been much better after taking a couple weeks off KM, but I aggravated it last weekend (gardening and painting shutters). I just got back from the doc, and she says it is likely a medial ligament (Or tendon? I forget) strain, possibly tear. Good news: surgery is not a blip on the screen. Bad news: no KM for at least a few weeks, possibly a couple of months.
The worst part of this (besides not having my best stress relief ever for awhile) is the thought of coming back after so much time off. I can do ab work, no problem. I will be able to lift weights to maintain upper body strength. Anyone out there been through something similar? If so, were you able to somewhat maintain cardio while resting the injury?
This sucks.
Any input (not asking for medical advice, mind you!) is appreciated.
What can you do? Did you talk to the doc about if any leg activity is ok? For example are you allowed to walk or even jog so long as you dont do hills that sort of thing?
Dont know if you could get away with it or not, but, if you have access to a heavy bag you can do some upper body only bag work. Time yourself, go for say 1 or 2 minute rounds with a rest in between. Just be carefull of your legs, so you might have to cheat a bit on technique…
At the gym where I lift there is a machine called \”The Torso\” its basically a bike maching for your arms, that might be an option for you.
I’m just recovering from surgery to have some large cysts removed from my body. I can walk, run a little bit by now, but no KM yet and no weight lifting.
I try to go for walks, yesterday I was jogging a little bit, so I’m slowly coming back. Still it will be some time before I can do body conditioning drills again. 🙂
If you can’t walk at all, maybe continue weight lifting. Maybe you could throw some punches, without moving your legs (shadow boxing). Or maybe sit on a pad and punch down on it (as in ground fighting).
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GiantkillerGK, glad you are coming back! I shouldn’t bitch and moan about my knee when you’re facing recovering from invasive surgery.
I can walk, but can’t do anything with more impact. No lunges, no squats, nothing explosive and nothing lateral or \”twisty.\” I like the suggestion to do some bag work or shadowboxing, but will have to cheat on technique to avoid torquing the knee. Since I can’t do anything on my knees I don’t think I can practice hammerfists/elbows on a pad on the floor. I probably can get the hubby to hold the kick shield and let me pummel him though. Today’s our anniversary, what better way to celebrate? 😉
sigh… I’m going to have to be patient and that is not my greatest virtue.
Yes, it sucks when you feel you just want to move or run or jump and then you realize you can’t. For the first two weeks after my surgery, I couldn’t run or jump at all, just walk slowly. Actually, three days after my surgery, I was invited to a screening of \”Borat\”. I had to walk about two blocks to the theater, which was hard, but I thought it may be a good diversion, so I did it. One thing I hadn’t thought of though was that I couldn’t laugh – it would hurt way too much, so it was kind of hard to get through the movie. 😆
As for pummeling your husband, I’m all for it. Forget the pad, just hit those abs, it’ll be a good exercise for him as well…
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GiantkillerYou could find out if you can do an isolated leg workout. Like Maybe some calf raises, hip exercises, etc. Exercises that don’t require the knee bending. I strained my right knee and actually injured my left one during recovery. I was putting to much strain on my left knee to over compensate for the injured right one. They both work good now, but I took about a month off.
All good advice – I’d also check woth your doc about biking (stationary or road) although obviously that can stress the knees. Depending on where the injury is and what kind of movement you can make without stressing it, biking may be good.
Also, would strongly recommend swimming. I’m personally not a big fan, but I do know that you’ll use muscles that you didn’t know you had, and can definitely keep the cardio up doing laps. Shouldn’t hurt your knee at all.
Good luck!
After my last post I was curious, so read a couple of articles on the ‘net (posted at end). One important question (I don’t think you mentioned) is whether or not you saw a \”family\” physician (general practitioner) or a specialist like an orthopedist. If you haven’t already, I’d strongly recommend the latter, and consider some professional rehab with an experienced physical therapist … There is as strong argument (in the articles below) for squats and lunges (kind of counterintuitive)
BTW – I would still recommend swimming 😉
$0.02 (more)
I’m not certain that these are really related to your injury, but they do offer some interesting info …
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/knee-ligament-injury.html
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/knee-rehabilitation.html
Thank you so much for those links – I appreciate that a lot. Will check ’em out right now.
The doc (nurse practitioner, actually) is my primary care. She said if I am not improving within a couple of weeks she make a referral to an orthopedist. She did recommend swimming, but biking is out for now.
Blindfold – good ideas about non-bendy exercises. Thanks!
Why not divert the focus of your training for the next couple of months. Instead of seeing yourself as training with an injury, use the time to become stronger in areas that you can work. How many pull ups can you do? Handstand push ups? How long can you hold an L -sit or pike?
We routinely program for injured athletes. In the case of an injured knee, pick upper body strength goals that you never thought you could achieve and use the time to achieve them.
I like that attitude a lot. It made me feel better just reading it. I gotta confess… I don’t know what Handstand push ups, L -sits or pikes are. So I guess that probably also means I’m not very adept. Can you describe them?
Thanks!
MaskedKat,
Sorry to hear of your injuries. Garddawg is extremely versed in Cross training. When I had knee problems, I was still able to use an ecliptical machine which is very low impact. But the advice already given about training other body parts is excellent. Also swim, swim, swim somemore!
It’s low impact and will strengthen the other body parts while you heal.
This is MHO, on the subject. Good Luck and I hope you’re a fast healer. 😉Handstand push ups
Kick yourself up into a handstand against the wall. Lower yourself down to the top of your head and push back up. An easier version would be to pile pillows up and drop down to them. A hard version would be freestanding or on rings.I’m on the road currently, but would be happy to help with program generation when I get back if you would like. The point is to use the time to strengthen another area while you heal.
Garddawg, that is very generous of you! Thanks for the tips. I’ll give the headstand pushup a shot. The knee is feeling a whole lot better, I’m using a brace and taking ibuprofen and wearing my \”sensible\” (i.e., ugly) shoes. I did ab work and free weights yesterday as well as some leg lifts without weights.
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quote \”MaskedKat\:Garddawg, that is very generous of you! Thanks for the tips. I’ll give the headstand pushup a shot. The knee is feeling a whole lot better, I’m using a brace and taking ibuprofen and wearing my \”sensible\” (i.e., ugly) shoes. I did ab work and free weights yesterday as well as some leg lifts without weights.HI Maskedkat,hope your feeling better.Doing the upper body W/O in a circuit training template like Xfit style but seated to keep the knee isolated and safe would probably keep your cardio intact.Ask Garddawg,he seems to have his shit together.Also,I found with most injuries of that type for me ice was my best friend.I always keep a styrofoam cup uf ice in the freezer and apply it to keep the swelling down as much as i feel is needed.I’ll use it after w/os even when not injured for recovery.Try it you’ll like it.
mike
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