Nerve Damage In Leg

[spongebob]

Cathe-
I had a laminectomy on my back 2 years ago and was left with nerve damage in my left leg. My leg still seems very weak. Can you recommend any exercises to strengthen the calf muscle?

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Spongebob! If you have gotten medical clearance to resume full exercise activity with no modifications then you can do standing or seated calf raises with (or without) a dumbell in your hands (do both legs for one set of 25 reps and then one to two extra sets on your weaker leg for an additional set of 25 reps). If you have access to a gym you will benefit from all of the calf machines. Be careful using all of those which place the weight above the shoulders, as this can aggravate the lower back. The donkey machine is great, toe presses off the edge of a leg press machine is great too. If weight is used while doing any of these machines then do only as many reps as you can safely do with good form (again do both legs for one set and then one to two extra sets on your weaker leg )

Good Luck!