Recovery from ACL reconstruction

[Kathy02]

I tore my ACL a few years ago and was too afraid to have surgery due to the horrible stories that I kept hearing from my sister in law that had the same procedure done. Finally last summer I got the nerve to go and see a specialist and schedule a date to have it replaced.
I was scared to death! I thought that I would be on crutches for 6 months, and wouldn't be doing a Cathe workout for a year.
I had heard that the better shape that you are in the faster the recovery. So I took that information to heart and began exercising like a mad woman. I was in shape before, but I never thought that I couls make it through the entire Power Max video without feeling like I was going to die. I was making it all the way through plus doing my own weight workouts. Then came time for surgery. I went in fully expecting to be on crutches for a few months.
I was only on them for about two and a half weeks. I started exercising at about one month, just using a stationary bike. But after three months I was back doing Power Max (very carefully, and modifying). I only had to go to one physical therapy session and the therapist looked at my progress and said I'm doing great and I didn't need to see her again. That was awesome! I blew away my sister in law, she still can't get over that I'm back in full swing already. I had my surgery in October of 2002 and I have full range of motion back and most of my strength. My hamstrings still get sore from time to time with lunges and hamstring curls using weights.
I feel that it was Power Max that pushed my body the hardest, and it was Power Max that made me want to get back in shape as soon as possible. I'm now trying other videos of Cathes, but I can do Power Max all the way through, on an 8' step, I couldn't even do that before my surgery! Thank you Cathe for your awesome, and fun tapes.

[getnfit@39]

That's great that your recovery went so well. I think we forget how beneficial exercise/fitness is to our overall health and well being until times like this. Glad you're back better than ever!

Donna

Fitness~ It's a journey, not a race!

[DebbieH]

GREAT story Kathy! What an amazing comeback after only 6 months! Woo-Hooo! Keep up the great work. So glad your surgery was a complete success. (Thanks to Cathe and YOUR dedication!:7)
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/...in_1/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

[StepEdith]

AH Power MAX a favorite of mine for sure :-)

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Kathy! So glad to hear you are doing so incredibly well. This is great news. I had an ACL reconstruction too and it is a very humbling experience. Doing my first grapevine months after surgery gave me goosebumps of excitement. I'm proud of how well you are recovering.