DH needs help with gimpy leg

[tsagona]

My DH was knocked off an extension ladder while cutting tree limbs last October. So he's almost a year out from his fractured tibial plateau (the top of the bone that is just below the kneecap). The impact with the ground broke off both corners of the bone which resulted in a graft and a plate. He's all good now except his knee doesn't lock which means he can't straighten his leg. He can bend it to his behind but he can't straighten it. That means he has a little limp and he can't really run anymore. He went through rehab and quit doing that because he wasn't getting the results he wanted. He joined a gym and got a personal trainer to write him a routine to focus on building his leg. He goes 5x a week but not having remarkable success.

Here's the problem: he's got a really wimpy quad. It seems it refuses to tone up and build strength. He uses the machines and does the treadmill and elliptical but nothing is getting the quad strong again. He can't get up from the floor or stooping using the gimpy leg. It doesn't have the strength to lift him up.

Are there any kinesiologists, PTs or people in the know that could suggest something for really hitting the quad. He can't do squats with weights - I told him he should just workout with Cathe and do what he can. He should be better in short order, haha.

Thanks for any help.

 

[carb8985]

I've found that floorwork (especially straight leg lifts) can go a long way in strengthening the quad. I have knee issues so I avoid really intense standing leg workouts. Seated and floor leg exercises keep the muscles (especially the quad) around my knee strong. Many of Cathe's DVDs have really challenging floorwork segments. Hope this helps!

 

[tsagona]

Hey Carb8985,

That's a good idea. I have gymstyle legs that has a good floor routine. I'll get it for him right now and see if I can get him to try it . I think he's more open to it now than he once was. Thanks for that suggestion.