This whole time that I have been rehabbing, I’ve had my sights set on making my big sports comeback on the ski slopes. When I tore my ACL last Jan., I did it one week before a ski trip to Whistler. (Ouch!) I had to sit on the bench for the that one. I even booked my ski trip this year eight months post-op, hoping that would give me ample time to get fit. But sometimes, no matter how far in advance you plan and no matter how much prep work you do, your plans just fall through. Mine did.
I saw an orthropeadic surgeon a few weeks ago, and she told me I shouldn’t ski. What?! You mean to tell me that all my rehab and all my PT over the past months and all those times I unwillingly drug myself into the gym when I just wanted to collapse wasn’t good enough?!?!? Are you telling me that my knee is STILL in need attention and that I’m STILL not back to normal?! Ugh! FML!
Talk about disappointment in the midst of an already brutal, and sometimes seemingly elementary rehab process. Hearing that news sucked. But it wasn’t as bad as I thought, seeing as how I already heard that similar news about a year ago when I first tore my knee. If my knee isn’t getting stronger, at least my skin is getting tougher.
My first thought was, “What did I do wrong?” Then the guilt started creeping out. I should have gone to the gym more. I should have scheduled more PT sessions. I shoulda, coulda, woulda… This whole ordeal has taken enough of my time, stress and frustration. I had to give myself a break. After all, I have a life, and so do you. We can’t all make one singular ligament the sole focus of our crazy busy lives. We don’t all make a living playing professional sports, so sometimes the incentive to work the knee every day is non existent and just a hassle–at least it can be for me, your average former high-school athlete who wants to keep sports a part of her life for the rest of her life.
Before my doctor came to her conclusion about ruining my ski trip, she made me do the one-legged jump test. (You probably shouldn’t try this until you are ready to get back to sports.)
Stand with about 3-4 feet of clear space in front of you (hard surfaces work great)
Start with your non-surgery leg (I’m doing my best not to say “good/bad knee”)
Jump forward as far as you can. Stick the landing. Repeat with your surgically enhanced leg. It’s not that easy, huh? I didn’t do so hot. I didn’t jump very far and my landing was not stuck–I took an extra step like a nervous gymnast. The good thing was I had the confidence to attempt it–I did it without thinking twice. Just goes to show you how powerful confidence and attitude can be during rehab. That’s honestly what got me through this bit o’ bad news and allowed me to reset some goals and reevaluate my overall process and program. Now, instead of attempting the bunny hills next weekend like I would have, I plan on skiing in March at the level that I left off on; my therapist said she could even get me trained for jumping. We’ll see about that. I’m sure I’ll slowly immerse myself back onto the mountain, but this time I’ll certainly be stronger than expected. No use half-assing it. I’ve waited so long so, so hopefully I’ll be ready to conquer the mountain, as opposed to just bunny-hillin’ it.
Wow, that stinks. But better safe than sorry.
I know I’m not “sticking the landing” right now.
Were you planning on wearing a brace to ski ?
I still need to get my brace. Once again slacking on knee due to the whole “life” thing getting in the way. Do you have a brace? Don Joy?
I have two braces. the older bulkier one is a Don Joy and the newer lighter one, is a Townsend.
It does help mentally to have it on. I asked my doctor if he
thought I should wear it, and he said it was up to me
I can’t imagine not wearing it right now when doing anything that requires the planting and pivoting.
It helps me to do the move correctly without hesitation that could cause me to re-injure myself.
Right now a lot of it is in my mind and not the knee holding me back.
I know I wouldn’t be playing tennis yet, if I didn’t have it.
Hey there…I am a new subscriber! Awesome blog. I will be having surgery in the next couple of weeks. How grueling is the rehab process? I am just worried that I might not be able to stick with it and then NEVER progress.
Also sorry one last question…how long can it be until I return to the gym to do upper body (no leg exercises) after surgery? I dont want to the body to turn to complete mush lol.
Thanks and once again, a great informative blog!
Hi Abe-
Thanks for finding me! Sorry you have to go through this, but as you’ll read in previous posts and comments, you are certainly not alone. The other big thing to remember is that rehab is what you make of it. It’s long. It’s boring. And it’s very hard to stay on track when you are doing minor, minor excercises and used to being very active. I would suggest keeping in mind the one thing you want to do as soon as you heal and strengthen up. If it’s a sport, like soccer, then keep your soccer ball visable in your home. It doesn’t hurt to put up some pictures of you playing that sport. I think these things will help keep your mind fit through the process–knowing you are working towards a specific goal.
As for returning to the gym, you’ll have to ask your doctor. You can certainly do things at your house, but we all progress differently. In my case, I had to wear a locked brace for six weeks. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable going to the gym. Surgery is very traumatic on the body, so give yourself some time to heal. Ask your doctor lots of questions, and keep your eye on the prize–that’ll get you through the leg lifts, wall slides and quad squeezes. Good luck to you!