run mechanics after ACL surgery
I have sort of a vague question for you folks.
Some background: left knee ACL reconstruction about 7-8 years ago, reconstructed with my own patellar tendon. Meniscus repair 3ish years ago. The repairs went well and I have no restrictions, ie I ski hard, continued to play full court hoops for several years afterwards etc.
The "problem": At interval pace, which is currently 6:35/mile for me if that matters, i have this vague sensation of having to voluntarily force my left lower leg to "go faster". What I mean by that is that the lower leg just doesnt feel "in-sync" and I have to think about getting that foot forward to strike the treadmill at the correct time. It doesn't hurt, it just feels "funny". Right leg is fine. Also, its not an issue at slower paces.
The question: is this a side effect of that surgery and am i pushing the limits of my repaired knee - should I back off on the run VO2 work to avoid injury ? I remember reading at the time that they cut lots of nerves, tissue etc in/around the knee to make that kind of repair so maybe its related. Or....maybe i'm worrying about nothing and I just have poor mechanics at higher paces ? Rehabbing that surgery was NO fun and I don't want to go through it again. I do understand that runnning is not particularly torque'ing and should not affect the ACL at all but...
Any thoughts welcome!
Comments
You have had way to much going on in that knee to push things. FWIW if it were me I'd NOT ski or play hoops or for that matter racket ball. No pun intended but your on your last leg with all the activity your doing. Save the knee for your IM and any short course races you have in your career as a Triathlete or continue to do other sports with the risk of damaging the knee again. You blow out that knee your running days looking forward will be hell to pay.
@ John - i have full range of motion, something my PT worked very hard on in my rehab sessions (and I am thankful he did although it was excruciating at times!)
@David - yeah I hear you. I stopped playing hoops about 3-4 years ago after the second one, don't play tennis or any racquet sport anymore except to knock it around with the kiddies. No soccer....essentially no sports requiring "cutting" or "planting". Except skiing - can't give that up. That said, my DIN settings are pretty loose and I don't cliff jump or anything like that.