Torn Ligament and Cardio ? Please Advise

AvaMims
AvaMims Posts: 9 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have an old torn ligament injury that 20 years later did not heal correctly..Not a big issue until Now...I am doing J.M's 30 Day Shred..and I am trying to push past the pain to do the cardio..Jumping Jacks, Jump Rope and Butt Kicks..It is painful for me to just walk on a given day much less Jumping anything. ..I have been to a clinic and there is nothing that can be done at this time to relieve or correct the injur from so long ago... So my hope is someone can advise me ..Am I being a wus and should I push forward past the pain to get the max I can for my journey or am I in danger of causing more damage...Just about any cardio I know of to do at home results in some form of ankle impact. (I cannot at this time go to a gym, nor have cycling accessible) Any advise...

Replies

  • JasonDetwiler
    JasonDetwiler Posts: 364 Member
    I'd consult an orthopedist.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    When I tore my ACL, doing cardio would make it worst. What I had to do was a lot of low body weight training to build the muscles around and along with weight loss, the body will start to utilize your muscles more than your joints and ligaments. Essentially, physical therapy is the best thing for it.

    And i would agree with Jason on this too as they will send you to therapy.
  • AvaMims
    AvaMims Posts: 9 Member
    Thank You Jason..and at some point I hope to ..but, currently an Orthopedic is not an option..and guess I was hoping someone had sports injury knowledge to pass on..but, it seems not advisable to give any without medical evaluation...Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Thank You Jason..and at some point I hope to ..but, currently an Orthopedic is not an option..and guess I was hoping someone had sports injury knowledge to pass on..but, it seems not advisable to give any without medical evaluation...Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?

    Swimming. But weight training will be your best option. Youtube or google ways to rehabilitate it.
  • JasonDetwiler
    JasonDetwiler Posts: 364 Member
    Thank You Jason..and at some point I hope to ..but, currently an Orthopedic is not an option..and guess I was hoping someone had sports injury knowledge to pass on..but, it seems not advisable to give any without medical evaluation...Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?

    If you live near a college or professional sports team, find out who they go to for orthopedics. Many are very knowledgeable of sports injuries.

    Swimming would be nearly zero impact (pushing off the wall and extension of the ankle while kicking would be the only issues I can think of). Weight training would be best.
  • robbda
    robbda Posts: 82
    I had exactly the same thing. i started with weights and swimming.. fast forward 3 years and I know do Spin, and hours jogging and i'm starting back at pole.

    It will never be the same again unfortunatley but I have built up the muscles that support it i guess... my gym instructor got me to do alot of lunges with weights and my Chiro told me to go walk on a beach as much as possible because of the instability of the sand
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?

    I use walking poles sometimes--not because of an injury, just to change things up. They look like ski poles, but with rubber tips for pavement. It's lower-impact, and you use your upper body more. You can get a decent workout without the pounding. I use Exerstrider poles, but there are other brands. Just Google for "walking poles" or "Nordic walking".
  • AvaMims
    AvaMims Posts: 9 Member
    Thank You Jason..and at some point I hope to ..but, currently an Orthopedic is not an option..and guess I was hoping someone had sports injury knowledge to pass on..but, it seems not advisable to give any without medical evaluation...Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?

    Swimming. But weight training will be your best option. Youtube or google ways to rehabilitate it.
  • ecw3780
    ecw3780 Posts: 608 Member
    Swimming. Do not try to just push through the pain. I would also lift weight.
  • AvaMims
    AvaMims Posts: 9 Member
    Everyone...thank you for your advise...I will research your recommendations..you have given me a fresh insight to take on cardio with limited damage to ankle..
  • GenesisandEden
    GenesisandEden Posts: 338 Member
    ortho, swimming, biking and lifting weights <~~~ helped me greatly and I actually love love biking now
    You need that ankle for the rest of your life so be good to it =)
  • MonkeyBars
    MonkeyBars Posts: 266 Member
    Thank You Jason..and at some point I hope to ..but, currently an Orthopedic is not an option..and guess I was hoping someone had sports injury knowledge to pass on..but, it seems not advisable to give any without medical evaluation...Maybe re-Ask ..Is there Cardio that can be done with low impact to ankle?

    If you live near a college or professional sports team, find out who they go to for orthopedics. Many are very knowledgeable of sports injuries.

    Swimming would be nearly zero impact (pushing off the wall and extension of the ankle while kicking would be the only issues I can think of). Weight training would be best.

    This is the "best" advice. Execute it!
    ps
    cardio without the pressure on the leg!

    push up position with legs open, move left leg by bending knee in parallel to body, then place back on floor, do right knee, then left hand up to chest and place back on floor, now right hand.
    Push hips to floor & repeat as fast as possible!
    (tabata timing 20 seconds flat out, 10 second recovery works best for me over 6 rounds before I move onto a different exercise)...

    Welcome to body cardio, a flavour of the man-maker ;)
    There are many others out there, find what works for you, challenge your lung capacity :)

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