Knee Issues

I have been a long time reader of this website, but this will be my first post. Im not even sure if its in the right category, so I apologize if it should be somewhere else.

Anyway, I recently hyperextended my knee playing soccer. My doc says I damaged the articular cartilage and I have some Medial Meniscus irregularity. Im not sure what the “irregularity” part means, but hes sending my MRI out to a specialist that is supposed to tell me some more details. As far as the Meniscus, He doesn?t foresee any necessary surgery or problems. I dont have any instability/swelling or serious pain.

However, for the cartilage issue; he says that he is worried that if i tear it up any more that it could essentially develop into arthritis. He has said to stay out of any sport related activities, which im sure relates to my obsession with heavy squatting and deadlifting. Although, I have been able to do some light weight/high rep work without pain, I?m wondering if I should quit that also.

I have put on a lot of leg mass in the last 4 months or so (especially Quads). Does anyone have any suggestions of how to keep it while injured? I realize im not going to be able to put any more leg size on right now, but I would rather not lose what I have. I can still do leg extensions without pain, and any type of leg curl or RDL.

Ive never encountered an injury like this before. Another concern of mine is that , I?m going to have to lay off DL’s and squats for a while. does this mean that my upper body training will come to a halt?

Any intelligent ideas, suggestions or thoughts are welcome.

[quote]PentagraM wrote:
I have been a long time reader of this website, but this will be my first post. Im not even sure if its in the right category, so I apologize if it should be somewhere else.

Anyway, I recently hyperextended my knee playing soccer. My doc says I damaged the articular cartilage and I have some Medial Meniscus irregularity. Im not sure what the “irregularity” part means, but hes sending my MRI out to a specialist that is supposed to tell me some more details. As far as the Meniscus, He doesn?t foresee any necessary surgery or problems. I dont have any instability/swelling or serious pain.

However, for the cartilage issue; he says that he is worried that if i tear it up any more that it could essentially develop into arthritis. He has said to stay out of any sport related activities, which im sure relates to my obsession with heavy squatting and deadlifting. Although, I have been able to do some light weight/high rep work without pain, I?m wondering if I should quit that also.

I have put on a lot of leg mass in the last 4 months or so (especially Quads). Does anyone have any suggestions of how to keep it while injured? I realize im not going to be able to put any more leg size on right now, but I would rather not lose what I have. I can still do leg extensions without pain, and any type of leg curl or RDL.

Ive never encountered an injury like this before. Another concern of mine is that , I?m going to have to lay off DL’s and squats for a while. does this mean that my upper body training will come to a halt?

Any intelligent ideas, suggestions or thoughts are welcome.
[/quote]

Don’t do exercises that hurt. Switch them out until you get the final word on your knee.

You will not shrink in a matter of weeks from not deadlifting or squatting (provided you’re eating right), I promise.

Why would upper-body training come to a halt? If anything, you will have more time and energy to devote to your upper body. Lemonade, dude.

[quote]Itchy wrote:
PentagraM wrote:
I have been a long time reader of this website, but this will be my first post. Im not even sure if its in the right category, so I apologize if it should be somewhere else.

Anyway, I recently hyperextended my knee playing soccer. My doc says I damaged the articular cartilage and I have some Medial Meniscus irregularity. Im not sure what the “irregularity” part means, but hes sending my MRI out to a specialist that is supposed to tell me some more details. As far as the Meniscus, He doesn?t foresee any necessary surgery or problems. I dont have any instability/swelling or serious pain.

However, for the cartilage issue; he says that he is worried that if i tear it up any more that it could essentially develop into arthritis. He has said to stay out of any sport related activities, which im sure relates to my obsession with heavy squatting and deadlifting. Although, I have been able to do some light weight/high rep work without pain, I?m wondering if I should quit that also.

I have put on a lot of leg mass in the last 4 months or so (especially Quads). Does anyone have any suggestions of how to keep it while injured? I realize im not going to be able to put any more leg size on right now, but I would rather not lose what I have. I can still do leg extensions without pain, and any type of leg curl or RDL.

Ive never encountered an injury like this before. Another concern of mine is that , I?m going to have to lay off DL’s and squats for a while. does this mean that my upper body training will come to a halt?

Any intelligent ideas, suggestions or thoughts are welcome.

Don’t do exercises that hurt. Switch them out until you get the final word on your knee.

You will not shrink in a matter of weeks from not deadlifting or squatting (provided you’re eating right), I promise.

Why would upper-body training come to a halt? If anything, you will have more time and energy to devote to your upper body. Lemonade, dude.
[/quote]

I agree. Also to play it safe, ice the ever living shit out of your knee after each time you put it to work. I also recently tore up both knees (not as badly as you) from being cocky as usual and have been icing each one a minimum of an hour after I do legs, or run/sprints. If that doesnt do it and it still feels inflammed to me, I go another hour, just watch out for ice burn on your skin.

Couldn’t have said it better than the guys above me. Take some glucosamine while your at it.

Don’t do exercises that hurt. Switch them out until you get the final word on your knee.

You will not shrink in a matter of weeks from not deadlifting or squatting (provided you’re eating right), I promise.

Why would upper-body training come to a halt? If anything, you will have more time and energy to devote to your upper body. Lemonade, dude.
[/quote]

Yea… Ive just always heard/read/thought that if your lower body doesnt grow, than your upperbody isnt going to change much. Hopefully upper body compound movements will keep my testosterone levels up.

Right on, Ill ice like crazy…and im already all over that glucosamine