leg Training with Meniscus damage?

[beckie]

I damaged my right lateral meniscus when prepping for comp last October and have found leg training a real drag since. I really need to strengthen my quads in particular but find heavy squats too painful.

Any suggestions??

[Karrie]

I have had two knee surgeries, one on the right and one on the left, back in 1997/1998. When I went through rehab the Physical Therapists had me do alot of leg extensions. Lighter weight and higher reps. For me, those no longer work, my knees kill me. I do squats, lunges and walking lunges. By rights, those should kill my knees but they do not. Go with whatever does not hurt you knee. Try leg presses and hack squats, those kill me, but give those a try. Also try the leg extensions. Hope this was helpful for you!!!

[beckie]

thanks! Yes I've decided that leg press is my better bet,I can still do some lighter squats but they are better done as part of a superset or triset. Leg extension is not an option because I have hyperextensive joints in my knees and ankles.

[Tim Wescott]

Beckie,if you go with leg presses,do high reps .........15-50,and you will more than likely get great results while not risking further injury by using excessive poundages.

Good luck!!

[beckie]

Thanks for the suggestion Tim!

[Tim Wescott]

beckie said:

Thanks for the suggestion Tim!

No problem Beckie.........heres a pic of the meniscus that I saw on another board.......it seperates the femur from the tibia so that there is no bone on bone contact.

Good luck with it !

[beckie]

Thanks for that-I can definitely feel where its not working properly-right on the outer part,it jarrs alot if I have to run so I don't run! I've upped my glucosmine-fish oil combo to see if that helps...
Am going to try out the higher rep presses today

[Tim Wescott]

beckie said:

Thanks for that-I can definitely feel where its not working properly-right on the outer part,it jarrs alot if I have to run so I don't run! I've upped my glucosmine-fish oil combo to see if that helps...
Am going to try out the higher rep presses today

Sounds good Beckie.I hope it works out for you.


The fish oils and other fats,plus driniking more water might help in keeping the joints lubricated,and the glucosomine surely can`t hurt either.

[beckie]

Well I did 3 sets of 18 on the leg press today and the knee felt fine,so far so good! Am going to try some bodyweight squats on those Dura Discs and maybe some leg presses with the discs under my feet just to make it a bit more challenging.

[tawiii]

Is it pain as if the meniscus (<= learn something new every day on this site is inflamed or is it as if it is being pinched off?

#offtopic3cp# I've seen those Dura Disks at the gym. (didn't know what they were called until now) Have you used them before and would you suggest them for sprained ankle recovery?

[beckie]

It feels like there is a gap in the meniscus,kind of like bone on bone but not too painful.

The dura discs are a great rehab tool and I think would be good for your ankle,as long as you don't have alot of pain. I would suggest you start on a wobble board if your gym has one as this will increase the range of motion in your ankle joint.

[beckie]

I forgot to mention I also tried some deadlifts off my bad knee after the leg press. I think I will still be able to train my hams heavy but just not my quads. With lunges I figured that only the static ones will do at this point.