no quad control following arthroscopy

Hi kittylamb, so sorry to hear how horrid you've been having it. I had a large chunk of medial cartilage removed 3 months ago and whilst all info said I'd be up and about within 8 weeks, i had several complications and ended up with "profound quad weakness" (that's what the referral letter to physio said) I know 3 months is nothing compared to 2 years, but when I was seeing no change despite working so hard at the physio appts and then on my own at home, I was utterly miserable. So so awful going from being so independent to not being able to drive/walk round the house/look after my children. 

A turning point for me has been 2 things - (1) a change in physio, I thought my guy was great and he did get my quads strong enough to walk with one crutch not two, but in terms of actual functioning "normally" - going up and down stairs, walking without crutches at all, without limping etc, nothing had changed. I kept being told it was because my quads weren't strong enough (still couldn't do straight leg raise either - leg wouldn't even raise a millimetre) & that if I kept getting my quads better then the knee would be more stable, and I believed him as he was a nice guy and seemed knowledgeable. And it makes sense in the beginning but then I plateaued but was being told the same. But one week he got poorly and I got a different guy! The change in just two weeks has been immense. New guy has said that a big part of my issue is not just quads but glutes too, and actually there's a massive thing about retraining the body (& so the brain) to fire the muscles in the right order so they support the leg. I too was mega stressed about my leg giving way, can't climb stairs, or leave bad leg behind when I go downstairs. He's given me some simple exercises that re train my body/brain. Obviously check with your medical guys first as I know we're all different...One for example is put a large book behind you on the floor (maybe one inch thick) about 3 inches behind you from your heels, have someone stand in front of you for support (hold their hands) Take bad leg and put foot on the book - I cried when I was told to do this as the thought of it made me want to throw up as my leg was so weak & I was convinced it would collapse! Then step up with good leg to join the bad leg on the book (obviously if you have a v low step that is better, but I don't) We originally did it on gym equipment but at home I improvise! Then step down onto the floor, still holding friend for support - leaving the bad leg on book (!!) step down with good leg. Then follow down with bad leg. Continue to do this. Basically what you're doing it stepping down a tiny step, leaving your bad leg behind to try and do the work, but by also going backwards you're training your muscles to fire. I have done this at home for a week, and have now managed to increase the books to make a 3 inch pile. It amazed me that while I was focusing on quad strength, actually things like the leg press is a no-no because my glutes aren't firing in the right order at the moment so the leg press (first physio had me on it) isn't the most effective for me at mo.

It made me realise a different physio can achieve very different things, and had my first guy not been off sick I'd still be doing the leg press and a tonne of other exercises that weren't the biggest priority. Also re: straight leg, I saw a post on here where a lady was saying use a belt (I used my dressing gown belt) to help - sit on floor, loop middle of belt round bottom of foot, holding both ends in your hands, tense your thigh, pull your toes towards you, push against the belt and use it to help raise your leg a little (only a tiny little bit to start with). Lower, relax thigh and toes. Repeat. I read it's all about the steps 1.tense 2. Toes. 3. Raise pushing against belt to help. 4. Lower. 5. Relax. Do it again. It helped me, and eventually I started managing to do a bit on my own without he belt. 

Second thing I was told to get & which kick started things - a compex (that's the brand) machine, an electrical muscle stimulator machine. I use it on my quad muscles. Get a physio to show you how to use it right for your quads (placement of the pads & intensity of current) if you want to try it. Had to buy one as they didn't loan them, I use the lowest level one (compex 1.0)  

I'm totally rambling now but hopefully a little of that may help. I'm still a way off running up & down stairs, and the thought of doing my old spin class makes me shudder! But, I just want to say i know how utterly miserable it is, how everything suddenly changes and you work hard on physio and so expect results and don't get anywhere = more anger and upset

Hi, all these things sound great but for me unfortunately none work and someone telling you to retrain your brain is a inslut, nothing wrong with my brain before the Sergey why do they think something is wrong with it now. Anyway quid still not working after four years, no hope have tried everything,

I had a slip and fall 2 1/2 years ago striking my right knee. I had knee arthroscopic surgery repair medial meniscus and few other things OA. After the surgery I lost my quads atrophy. It's learn as you go I find that most medical personal have no clue on how with what's going on.  I've gone to emergency different hospitals with severe pain and all they tell me sorry you have too many symptoms we can't help you.  So I'm 1 1/2 years after surgery still walk with limp and constant pain.  What I have learned on my own   Your leg should get better 10 % each year by exercising and physio ultra sound and Russian stimulation.  Because of the poor mechanics of walking after surgery I then got bursitis, knots in my IT band by the knee, pinching in the inside of the back of leg. I cannot leg raise.  I've learned I lost atrophy in my hip too.  So my physiotherapist  gave me many exercises for hip, gluteus, quads and hamstring stretches.  I have improved improved about 10 % only which one doctor a physiatrist  told me.  I get my PT roll a foam roller roll it over my IT band and inside of leg.  You shouldn't cycle at all as this can cause patella problems. Anyways this causes depression and anxiety.