good neuromuscular exercises for ACL reconstructed knees?
Both my knees have had ACL reconstruction the Right knee about 14 years ago, the Left one 10/2013. I feel they are pretty strong but they still sometimes buckle and/or give way(usually my left, rarely my right). I want to get back into running but it feels like the muscles in my left knee won’t/don’t want to contract/fire when they needs to.
This also makes it hard to get back into Judo because sometimes it will just buckle, sometimes like when the knee is getting tired I can feel it start to want to buckle but sometimes it buckles unexpectedly which brings a mental element of trust into the problem.
I was wondering if there were any neuromuscular/proprioceptive exercises/routines, etc. that would be good to do to get the knee muscles to fire properly when they need to
Hi Dani,
as a trainer yourself, you certainly have tried all the obvious exercises.
I am not an expert in it but I have attended a session with Perry Nickelston on taping which may help you with your issue. Here is a link to one of his sites http://www.rocktape.com/dr-perry-nickelston-dc-fms-sfma/. Maybe this will do it.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hello Dani Miro Quesada,
It sounds as though your left needs more time to heal. Sometimes we do not heal completely due to biomechanics or our own choice to return to activity too quickly; but, I am sure you already know all this. Have you tried self myofascial release while avoiding the victim? Sometimes we need to take our own advice; listen to the body and back off when needed. Literally look in the mirror to see where the imbalances appear. Have you looked into homeopathy? Maybe you could see your doctor or physical therapist to rule out something creeping up on you. Taking a closer look at your diet for arthritic care may also help.
Best of health,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
I’ve backed off of a lot of things my biggest problem is I don’t know/trust when it will go out. sometimes like when it is tired I can sometimes get some warning but other times my knees might be doing great for some time then suddenly go out from an activity, like jumping or pivoting, that at another time it would have held fine.
No, I have not tried self myofascial release or homeopathy though those are very good ideas, thank you.
maybe do myofascial release for the various knee areas?
not sure how to look up homeopathy for ACL reconstruction, especially late stage.
Thank you
Hi Dani,
after reading your answer above, I recommend to first go back to a physical therapist, preferably a PhD in PT. The unpredictability of your problem may point to a neurological problem and not necessarily muscles not firing correctly.
Hope all will be well soon.
Karin Singleton
www.KarinSingleton.com
You need to speak with your surgeon, physician, and/or physical therapist. There are exercises to increase overall stability. But if you are not a candidate for running due to the condition of your ACLs/knees, you need to make sure you don’t do some long term damage.
I know you may missing the feeling of running, but the benefit to risk balance should be the first consideration.