Weight Training after ACL surgery

[Vinman]

Dr. Johnson is indeed known for being conservative and the time frames you mention are within reason for limited ROM extensions in the particular ROM. the close to full extension the lower the shear forces.

JC5: typically I have peeps doing leg press, squats, lunges, stiff leg dead lifts for closed chain exercise after they are full weight bearing and have good quad control. As for hamstring curls, no problem with those. Even though they are an open chain exercise the hamstring has a posterior pull on the tibia and does not stress the ACL. As long as you have an intact PCL there should be no probblem at all with hamstring curls. The only exception to this is if you have had a meniscal repair. If you have had a meniscus repair your doc will likely have you wait on any reisited knee flexion past 90 deg for upto 3-4 months.

[jenscats5]

Dr. Johnson is indeed known for being conservative and the time frames you mention are within reason for limited ROM extensions in the particular ROM. the close to full extension the lower the shear forces.

JC5: typically I have peeps doing leg press, squats, lunges, stiff leg dead lifts for closed chain exercise after they are full weight bearing and have good quad control. As for hamstring curls, no problem with those. Even though they are an open chain exercise the hamstring has a posterior pull on the tibia and does not stress the ACL. As long as you have an intact PCL there should be no probblem at all with hamstring curls. The only exception to this is if you have had a meniscal repair. If you have had a meniscus repair your doc will likely have you wait on any reisited knee flexion past 90 deg for upto 3-4 months.

Thanks!! I'm 5 months post surgery now - didnt' injure my PCL at all & I had a meniscus tear which was not repaired as it started to heal itself....

Any suggestions in addition to what you listed for building a quad sweep?

Dogwonder: thanks for the info!

[Vinman]

as others have stated, lots of one legged work. i.e. 2 set with 1 leg 1 set with two legs for most exercises. Also lots of balance/proprioception work.

[jenscats5]

as others have stated, lots of one legged work. i.e. 2 set with 1 leg 1 set with two legs for most exercises. Also lots of balance/proprioception work.

Thanks again!

[PaulTilly]

I have had a torn ACL in my left knee since 1984. It did not get repaired because I "do not earn my living by athletics". I have played competitive tennis before the injury and ever since. I have been doing leg curls for my left knee by lying on a bench on my stomach and using a weight boot w/bar and weights weighing about 25 lbs, doing up to 350 reps. I feel that this has prolonged my tennis playing since it has helped strengthen and stabilize my damaged knee. My wife says i am causing more damage to my knee than good. Can you help settle this argument?

[neufox47]

If you are only doing that one exercise for one leg I'd guess more harm.

[Vinman]

Strong hamstrings are the backbone of living as an ACL deficient athlete that wants to cut and twist. But I would say you should balance your program a little.