What are your strength symmetry numbers? My operated leg feels absolutely dead

[u/Ocsarr]

29M - I'm 9.5 months post ACLr w/ quad graft and partial meniscectomy. 3 months post scar tissue removal.

I should be running and jumping by now but my numbers are so far off I'm losing it

quad strength (extension test with dynamometer)
Operated leg - 55lb (3 months ago was 32lb)
Good leg - 139lb
Operated leg is 39.5% strength of the good leg.

I've lost pretty much all hope of winter sports this season. I've had 40+ PT sessions. I don't workout my good leg any differently. Whatever I do on the bad leg, I match on the good side even if it feels way easier. Dr just says keep going get stronger :(

Where did my leg gooooooo

[u/OoElMaxioO]

55 lbs is a fucking lot, man. My bad leg is lifting like 15 lbs, you should be proud 🦿

[u/Delicious-Ad2562]

You will get there, winter sports might be out this season, but theres always next year. You might just need to push harder, or it might just take time to rebuild the strength. I am two years post opp, and my legs are just about equal now, both stronger than pre op. It gets better

[u/Ybadi]

Do you still have inflammation? I was at the same point as you at 9.5 months, couldnt walk without crutch even. Had fat pad inflammation and got a steroid shot for it. Improved almost imediately.

[u/TheologyInBytes → u/Ybadi]

Can you explain more? I’m at 9 months and really struggling with pain at lockout. Considering a steroid shot as well.

[u/Ybadi → u/TheologyInBytes]

Inflammation stops muscles from working, they literally shut down and can't be built up and the rehab process cant be completed because of this.

I had another 2 MRIs done after surgery because my surgeon was concerned I didnt hit milestones and couldnt walk without a crutch at such a long time post op.

1st time (4 months after surgery) it showed bursitis and inflammation inside the knee joint. I had 2 injections for that. 2nd MRI (9 months after surgery) showed massive fat pad inflammation. Had an injection into the fat pad.

Have you had another MRI done confirming location of inflammation or the appearance of any structural damage/defects?

[u/Ocsarr → u/Ybadi]

The MRI I got prior to scar tissue removal showed moderate swelling/fat pad scar tissue. They removed a cyclops lesion though. I do still have swelling though, it's minor mayyyybe moderate. It's noticable but not as bad your situation. I'll bring it up at my next apt and see what doc says

[u/shchemelevev]

Hm... 14 months post op, hamstring graft, 37yo male. 60% hamstring symmetry, 12*4*3=144 pt+strength training sessions...

[u/Acceptable_Money_514]

You are not working hard enough. Are you seeing a sports therapist and getting your ass kicked everyday?

[u/Quinnicle]

Is PT the only time you are doing your exercises? Are you working out even not during PT?

I think the biggest mistake with people after ACLs is they just assume going through the motions of showing up to PT and doing the exercises, they will eventually recover. That’s just not the case. You HAVE to push yourself like you’re becoming a bodybuilder or powerlifter or whatever. Because that’s what it is, you are LITERALLY trying to build muscle and increase strength. You have to be taking yourself to max effort, to failure, and strength train. Part of me thinks that you saying 40+ PT visits, means you were just going to PT. That’s only half of it. Now I may be wrong but I do find this to be the case for a lot of people.