ACL-safe martial arts?
In the last couple of years, I have blown out both my ACLs (1. landed badly from a jump split kick, 2. lunged forward while sparring and my weight shifted badly) and had (patellar ligament) surgery to repair them. At this point, if I tear one of my ACLs again, the surgery repair will be a best-outcome day-to-day function, not good enough for athletic activity. After the first one and physical therapy, I went back to my old style. ...Not going to do that again. Also, I think my friends would restrain me if I tried.
But I want to go back to training. More carefully!
I'm looking for something interesting (preferably not Tai Chi) and physically challenging that's good on the knees. That means fewer cutting and twisting activities (like landing from jump spin kicks). Specific schools would need to be in Minneapolis, probably uptown/downtown/south.
I have read that Judo and Tae Kwon Do are both very bad for this. One of my friends recommended Aikido, but it's hard to find actual information on injury rates.
Any links to actual statistics for ACL injury rates compared between MA styles would be awesome! I tried to find 'em, but my Google-fu failed me.
Ideas?
Edited to add: Not going with Aikido, alas, fairly high injury rates, though it's hard to find specifics on ACLs--I plan on checking out a Shotokan Karate school soon. Seems like that may be best? Non-contact sparring, more structured movements, fewer fancy kicks.... I'll need to talk with the instructor etc. of course, but I liked the school Adam pointed to.
But I want to go back to training. More carefully!
I'm looking for something interesting (preferably not Tai Chi) and physically challenging that's good on the knees. That means fewer cutting and twisting activities (like landing from jump spin kicks). Specific schools would need to be in Minneapolis, probably uptown/downtown/south.
I have read that Judo and Tae Kwon Do are both very bad for this. One of my friends recommended Aikido, but it's hard to find actual information on injury rates.
Any links to actual statistics for ACL injury rates compared between MA styles would be awesome! I tried to find 'em, but my Google-fu failed me.
Ideas?
Edited to add: Not going with Aikido, alas, fairly high injury rates, though it's hard to find specifics on ACLs--I plan on checking out a Shotokan Karate school soon. Seems like that may be best? Non-contact sparring, more structured movements, fewer fancy kicks.... I'll need to talk with the instructor etc. of course, but I liked the school Adam pointed to.