Over the next 12 months, I started taking care of my knee to the extreme. My only exercise was walking. I had already given up skiing and soccer. I did play some volley ball games. During this period, my knee started stabilizing as I took care of it.
Slowly the rest of my muscles compensated for the ACL even more. I would experience some pain when I twisted in volleyball, but other than that, I could dive for the ball. I would say that as I cautious of my knee, I would experience pain on an average of just once (1-2mins) in about 2 hours of play time.
During the third year with the injury, I also incorporated tennis and racquet ball which require some twisting and turning and is considered medium level intensity with regards to ACL injury (skiing & soccer is high intensity, running and cycling is low intensity). During the last 6-9 months, I was playing competitive racquetball and pushing my self to the extreme (with care...I know it is an oxymoron). During this time, I had started weight training for whole body except the left leg. Since Oct 2007 - Feb 2008 I lost 10 pounds and again started enjoying my active lifestyle that I had been craving since my knee injury.
Showing posts with label ACL lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACL lifestyle. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The first 12 month with ACL tear
During the study abroad, I was careful about the knee, but still didn't take it seriously. I played basketball and did rowing. I even jogged for 2-3 days a week for a month in Paris.
I even played football (soccer) with some locals in Amsterdam during my roadtrip in Europe. I had a chance to play football(soccer) for the first time in a football crazy country and couldn't refuse the offer when some locals whom we had befriended there asked me. So, I just packed my knee with two layers of bandage and went to the field. While we were getting ready, I told my road trip mate that I shouldn't with my knee. Anyway, I started cautiously, but soon after scoring a goal became aggressive and hurt my knee again. As I was the only driver, I drove all the way back to Paris driving a manual car. Luckily or me my trouble knee was left knee and if I anticipated well, I didn't have to use clutch much on the highway.
After coming back from Paris, I gave up on all forms of physical activities and became more conscious of my knee and protected it. In Sept 2005, I got another MRI done and the prognosis was that I had arthritis. My doctor said that I was too young to have arthritis and it was just that the bone against bone has led to wear on my bone.
The second opinion was with Dr Bach, on recommendation from one of my doctor friend. His analysis was that the rest of my muscles are compensating for the knee and hence it is stable. I could lead a non active lifestyle with this knee and will not need a surgery. But, if I wanted an active lifestyle, I should get a surgery done.
As I was traveling to India, I postponed the surgery to after the India trip and then I had to go to London, so the surgery got delayed indefinitely.
I even played football (soccer) with some locals in Amsterdam during my roadtrip in Europe. I had a chance to play football(soccer) for the first time in a football crazy country and couldn't refuse the offer when some locals whom we had befriended there asked me. So, I just packed my knee with two layers of bandage and went to the field. While we were getting ready, I told my road trip mate that I shouldn't with my knee. Anyway, I started cautiously, but soon after scoring a goal became aggressive and hurt my knee again. As I was the only driver, I drove all the way back to Paris driving a manual car. Luckily or me my trouble knee was left knee and if I anticipated well, I didn't have to use clutch much on the highway.
After coming back from Paris, I gave up on all forms of physical activities and became more conscious of my knee and protected it. In Sept 2005, I got another MRI done and the prognosis was that I had arthritis. My doctor said that I was too young to have arthritis and it was just that the bone against bone has led to wear on my bone.
The second opinion was with Dr Bach, on recommendation from one of my doctor friend. His analysis was that the rest of my muscles are compensating for the knee and hence it is stable. I could lead a non active lifestyle with this knee and will not need a surgery. But, if I wanted an active lifestyle, I should get a surgery done.
As I was traveling to India, I postponed the surgery to after the India trip and then I had to go to London, so the surgery got delayed indefinitely.
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