Knee Injury, Seeking Advice

[cheapcoffee]

I have a knee injury. I dislocated my knee working out to a dance fitness game. It has set me back and I am trying to find ways to keep myself busy. I cannot run for at least a year and I can only do low impact exercies. Anyone have any tips besides swimming and biking?

[WendyB]

You need strength training as well.

You should also ask your Dr for other things. The elliptical might be good but you would need to clear it with the DR

[SunsetRunner]

Before I had some repair work done I depended on an elliptical due to the zero-impact aspect. It worked great!

[billyoneball]

try and do strenght work on your upper legs to support your knees

[Bint]

Hi

I have had repair surgery to my knee - and found just good old walking and some strength training got me back on track........the key is not to rush recovery.......it will only set you further back!!!

But it does get better....promise.....and when you have recovered you may find, like me, that regualr exercise keeps you pain free  :0

[GinaBee]

YOGA!! My fave is hot yoga but anytype of yoga would strengthen your knee.

I blew out my knee at the end of November - tried PT and HATED it. Found hot yoga in April and it's incredible the difference it has made w/my knee!! There are poses that I still can't do and have accepted that it might take years or may never happen. 

Feel free to reach out to me, if you have questions!!

Good luck!!

[GinaBee]

It's interesting but I couldn't handle the eliptical - something about the way it caught my knee. Bike riding was easy for me though.

[EspressoQueen]

I have osteoarthritis due to prior knee injuries.  I can tell you the worst part about knee injuries is dealing with a super weak core.  I highly recommend pilates, yoga, water aerobics, and adult ballet.  Lots of ab workouts on the ground but concentrate on the entire part of your core.  This will help maintain and build strength while your knee recovers.

I had a physical therapist and personal trainer both tell me that people mistakenly try to implement workouts to improve their leg strength (i.e. leg presses, plyo) but they are strengthening the muscles which have already been doing the overcompensating/work for the muscles that suffered while the knee was out for the count. They directed me towards water aerobics (just really REALLY push yourself in the water!) and core exercises that focused on using the entire ab-hip-back-glutes-leg areas simultaneously. 

Be gentle on yourself but definitely use this time to graaaadually build up strength.  Pushing too much will result in overuse injuries in other and unexpected areas.  Good luck, and I hope all of these tips help you or others 🙂 Gina

[kimcoy]

That was great advice.  Thank you so much.  Had an issue with my hip.  Im sure this advice will work in that direction also...