Cruciate ligaments :

17 weeks post-op with pain under kneecap - - Posted by FunkyWalker (FunkyWalker), 10 January 2005

Hello All,

I'm about 17 weeks post-op from an ACL repair (hamstring graft with repair on both sides of the miniscus) and up until a few days ago was feeling great.  

I started working out at the gym about 7 weeks ago as directed by my PT.  I would do about 15-20 mins on the bike followed by 15-20 on the stairs then go through weights (leg press, adductor, abductor, hamstring curls, wall squats, lunges, calf raises).  I was doing this 2 to 3 times a week and had hardly any pain until recently.

All of a sudden, I'm finding it very painful to go down stairs or do lunges/squats.  The pain is under the kneecap and is fairly sharp.  It's really only noticeable when the knee is bent.

Can anyone else relate to experiencing this at about the same time in their recovery?
Posted by Wookster (Wookster), 12 January 2005

Your post sounds a lot like what I went through a few weeks ago, even though 'm a bit behind you timewise. I was doing swimmingly until I had to start commuting into work (on the tube and walking and then dealing with 3 flights of stairs on the way into work each day). My knee became quite painful, sore along the joint line, painful under the knee cap, and quite sore at the portals along the patella.
I found I was fine for the first little while and then suddenly had the above symptoms.
My guess is you're overdoing it on the excersise front, especially on the stairs. Apparently you can have as much as 6 times your body weights strain on your knees when descending stairs which is pretty major if your muscles aren't equally strong in both legs.
I rested my knee pretty well over the christmas break and when I returned to work used the lift instead of stairs (whereever possible) and am doing lots on the excersise bike and my knee feels much better and less painful.
Hope this helps
Posted by FunkyWalker (FunkyWalker), 12 January 2005

Thanks for the feedback.  You're probably right about overdoing it.  I see the stairmaster as similar to lunges/leg press/wall squats in terms of compression/weight on the knee.   Did you refrain from these types of exercises as well?

I'm afraid of falling behind on my rehab if I refrain for too long.  But I guess the old adage "No Pain, No Gain" is not really applicable when it comes to rehabilitation from surgery  
Posted by Wookster (Wookster), 12 January 2005

I don't know what a leg press is, but essentially my own feeling is that activities that put similar strain on your knees as going down stairs are a big no no until you have strong enough muscles to let yourself down the stairs in a fully controlled way, without having your joing take too much of the stress.
I'm 3 months in and I am still not allowed to do any excersises with weights on my feet - NO sheering force so there is a limit to what strength and control I can build up.
The whole no pain no gain addage is bollocks when it comes to rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction.
Posted by FunkyWalker (FunkyWalker), 12 January 2005

Wookster,

The leg press is like a squat but in a machine so is more controlled (no balance required - just straight pushing at less than 90 degree angle).

The main reason I posted was because I had no pain and had been doing all these exercises as directed by my PT.  I had no pain or difficulty going up or down stairs etc.  Then all of a sudden...ouch.  I can't put any significant weight on my leg?

Well, I'm going to take both your advice and stick to non-compression exercises until I see my Doctor next week.

Again.  Thanks for the feedback

Funky  
Posted by libertynm (libertynm), 13 January 2005

Funky,

Is the leg press you are using a seated leg press?  If so, that can put a lot of stress on your patella.  It would be better if you could find a leg press where you can lie down on your back and can keep a 90 degree angle, at the maximum flexion point, with the surface you are pushing against.

Much Aloha,
Nesanet
Posted by Wookster (Wookster), 13 January 2005

on 01/12/05 at 22:21:33, FunkyWalker wrote:

Well, I just got back from my 4 month checkup and the doctor advised me to stay off the deep bending exercises until the pain subsides.  He said it's normal and is most likely just scar tissue that's being worked out.

So I'm back at the gym and sticking to the straight leg exercises I guess.  I did find out I can use the eliptical though.  Should be a good change to the usual routine

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.

Advertisement