Painful leg post ACL recon 3 years ago
- Related Injuries: Quads & Hamstrings, Running
January 10, 2014
Chantelle Watt asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice:
Hi there, I’ve been increasing my run distances recently (and was set a tough new gym workout to target gluts and hammies as these were still weak on ACL op side) – DOMS in hammies was v. bad (5 or 6 days) after first new workout. I have been having discomfort in hamstring and gluts on one leg – it now seems to be causing pain in my knee as well (ACL reconstruction 2 or 3 years ago). Pain was initially just brought on by running but now walking is also uncomfortable… What should I do/what is it likely to be? (stretch? rest?)
Chantelle
January 10, 2014
Hi Chantelle
You’re certainly targeting the right muscles, and even this far down the road it will make a difference.
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I guess one option is maybe if you’ve really revved up your hammy workout, and due to DOMS it’s made you walk and move differently, perhaps (and only perhaps) you’ve altered your alignment through your knee and gluts. I doubt this…
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More likely is that due to revving up your hammies you haven’t taken the best care or attention to what position you put your back in, when doing the exercises (and who’d blame you!) This with the DOMS poor movement patterning,has overloaded your lumbar spine either referring pain into your leg, or calling up excessive muscle activity to protect your sciatic nerve and back. I’d suspect that your knee pain is mechanical (rather than referred) as you’re moving differently.
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Next step? Rest, don’t stretch your leg but try to get more movement through your upper back, attempting to take the excessive load off of your lower back.
If you don’t think there is too much difference in a week, then it’s time to get help….
The Guru
