State of the Knee Address
My physical therapist tested my left leg strength level last night. The goal to be able to start running was at least 70% the strength level of my right leg. My hamstrings came in at over 70% which surprised my PT given I had a hamstring graft procedure to rebuild the ACL.
However, my quads failed, coming in at just under 65%. I do NOT do failure very well so I was not a happy camper. My PT pointed out that what she had neglected to tell me is that the protocol calls for me to be at the 70% level between 12 - 14 weeks post op. I am JUST now 12.5 weeks. She said she will test me again in about a week or so. Also, given that I am not allowed to do certain movements that isolate the quad (due to my ortho finding mild arthritis of the patella) it is understandable that I am having some trouble ramping them back up.
Sooo....next week or so I will be hitting it harder and hoping for the best. I also see my ortho again in about 2 weeks to see if i can drop PT altogether and transition to just a self monitored gym based rehab. Keep your fingers crossed!!
However, my quads failed, coming in at just under 65%. I do NOT do failure very well so I was not a happy camper. My PT pointed out that what she had neglected to tell me is that the protocol calls for me to be at the 70% level between 12 - 14 weeks post op. I am JUST now 12.5 weeks. She said she will test me again in about a week or so. Also, given that I am not allowed to do certain movements that isolate the quad (due to my ortho finding mild arthritis of the patella) it is understandable that I am having some trouble ramping them back up.
Sooo....next week or so I will be hitting it harder and hoping for the best. I also see my ortho again in about 2 weeks to see if i can drop PT altogether and transition to just a self monitored gym based rehab. Keep your fingers crossed!!