Return to martial arts after knee surgery?

I recently had surgery on my knee to reconstruct the acl and lcl. I was wondering if anyone had had a similar surgery and then was able to return to martial arts with good results.

Return to martial arts after knee surgery?
Over the course of the past decade I've had both my ACLs reconstructed. First, you need to fully complete your rehab. I cannot stress how vital this is to getting your leg back up to a simple functional level (walking, bending, applying weight, etc.). Also, while you should listen to your doctor, my orthopedic surgeon told me I'd should return to martial arts. That was just over six years ago and I'm still working out on a constant basis.





When you are both able and ready to return to martial arts it is important to remember that your knee will never be the same. You'll need to be extremely watchful over it, especially in the beginning. For example, you might need to slightly alter the way you do turns and certain kicks so you don't torque it incorrectly as well as making sure that your sparring partner goes easy on your leg (if legs are open targets during sparring).





All in all, if you remember to take care of yourself and remember that your had major reconstructive knee surgery, you should be fine.
Reply:After you recovered completely? You should be able to come back, alot of people don't know if they've completely recovered further injuring themselves even worse then before. You should know best if you're ready or not. Good luck to ya.
Reply:Best advice is listen to your doctor first, then listen to your body. Also you don't mention what style you take. Do you have kata or forms? If so you can just stand and go through the hand motions in sequance. Are you recovered enough maybe you could work on stances, with no kicks or contact.





It is very hard to train around injuries, but it can be done. If you are ready for nothing else, just think about your kata's, self defense, etc. and picture you doingthem in your head. Not what you want to be doing but it is better than nothing.
Reply:You need to be very careful. It will take the knee years to heal. Make sure you co-ordinate your work-outs with the doctors orders. Rehab is a must.


You will be able to do martial arts but you may have to adjust your movements and relearn your style slightly.
Reply:My sifu had to get the miniscus in his knee re-shaped. He tore some of the miniscus after an exhibtion. it took him about a year to get comfortable again. That was several years ago and it stills bothers him every few months. Iam also going through a similar situation. I dislocated myshoulder.





Do alot fo rehab exercises, even after your knee has healed to ensure it stays strengthened. Also be sure to take plenty of joint supplements. Ive heard about an herb called "Solomons seal" that is suppossed to work wonders.





I also had "prolotherapy" done, and it seemed to help out.





Good luck......and take your time
Reply:I had reconstructive surgery on my left knee. It took me 6 months before my doctor allowed me to get back into karate and he told me no knee strickes and take it very easy the first month. It was very difficult to get back into it. You won't kick as good as you used to. Probably won't be in the same cardio shape. But with hard work you will get back to where u were.
Reply:My mma coach had the same surgery. He took it light and let it heal, but he's back to 100% now- fully rolling in jiu-jitsu and throwing full power kicking in thai boxing. Just listen to the doc, let it heal, and you'll be all good.
Reply:I have had similar surgery. I had to have my ACL reconstructed along with a plastic patella and meniscus put in. The cartallige that was left had to be shaved down and there is not much left.


It took me a while to get back to the gym. Do all of your physical therapy exercises and when they get easy push yourself a little bit farther. Do not rush things. My knee was not stable again for almost 8 months. You will have to get the muscles surrounding your knee strong again before you can safely go back to the gym and seriously train.


Now that I am back I am retraining my body and I have to watch out not to over extend on my round kicks. When I make contact my lower leg tends to stop at the point of impact but the rest of my body continues to travel forward. This puts a lot of strain on the tendons and ligaments in my knee.


It will call for you to make small adjustments in your stance and how you throw kicks, but nothing too major.


Don't worry. You will be back before you know it.


Good Luck.
Reply:I had arthroscopic surgery 15 months ago, I had a medial ligament repaired and 40% of both carliages removed. I was advised to only do light excersise for 4 months, and progressively increase.





I am now able to cycle for 4 hours, and run upto 12 miles without trouble. However, using my leg for either stance or as the kicking leg (against a punch-bag causes pain and stiffness the next day, (and a popping sound which I'm told is tearing of the scar).





It may be my age (46) or a direct result of the injury I don't know but my leg is now usless with regards to martial Arts.
Reply:i had a very similar surgery.....reconstructive on ACL and MCL and torn meniscus. Best advice i can give you is do as much physical therapy as possible and stick to the excercises your PT gives you cause those make the difference. Your gonna end up losing size and strength on that leg so going to the gym and doing some weightlifting really helps you getting back. You'll probably be out for 6-8 months depending on how your therapy goes and getting back into martial arts id say around the 9th month....thats about how long it took me and i train MMA. Just be ready for soreness and stiffness once you start up again but that goes away after awhile just do your stretches other than that if you do your therapy you should be fine and be able to get back to how you were. Hope that helps..good luck.