[tompg7]

Hi guys, I’ve recently had ACL reconstruction 6 weeks ago and work as an IFGMA guide and professional skier in Chmaonix. I’d like to do an 8 week custom program (or more going forward) to help structure the end stages of my rehab so that I can come back stronger and also get guidance on how to structure training seasonally and as it relates to my guiding schedule. I also have particular goals to train for such as a big ski mountaineering trip spring 2019 as well as being as strong as possible for freeriding during the winter season in the Alps.

So I’m wondering when I would get the most benefit out of the coaching and your guys expertise. With training I’m self motivated and have generally good knowledge of how to train, but I’d like to take it to the next level.

Thanks, look forward to your reply and hope this is useful for others in a similar position too.

Topic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on April 16, 2018 at 11:06 am #9388

Tom:

I wish you well in your rehab. Having undergone 7 knee surgeries to my R knee over a 35 year period after a major accident on Denali in 1978 I have a lot of experience coming back from knee surgeries. The rehab is critical to a good outcome. Do not leave it up to your physical therapist. You have to be on this every day and often multiple times a day to ensure that your knee gets as healthy a possible. You will always have a ‘bad’ knee. The trick is having the strength to be able to compensate for the loss of functionality that you will experience. If you’re in Chamonix and seeing Neil then you are in good hands. Once you are cleared by your PT to begin a strength training program we can help with that process. Myself and coach Carolyn Parker can help with a program designed to your specific needs. It will be one initially based on increasing strength since that will be key to your long term success. We can provide this either with a Custom plan or with personal coaching.
Be advised that Steve and I have struggled for years to find the perfect solution for guides. Fitting training into a guide’s life is challenging to say the least. We’ve developed some compromised solutions that so far have worked well for the several guides we’ve tested them on. But, each guide’s situation is a bit different.

When you are ready please get in touch and we can discuss the best way forward for you.

Scott

[tompg7]

tompg7 on April 17, 2018 at 2:26 am #9405

Hi Scott,

Thanks a lot for your reply and advice. That’s great you can help with a program with my knee in mind. 7 surgeries sounds tough! Yea seeing Neil and the others at Clinique du Sport when he is away.

Sounds good, I’ll be in touch.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous on April 17, 2018 at 11:55 pm #9418

Hi Tom,

I’m a amateur climber and skier based in Switzerland, and I have been to Cham dozens of times. On April 1st I injured my knee skiing on piste at Flegere. Partially torn ACL, partially torn MCL, bruised tibia. Two doctors have independently recommended that I do not need surgery, although when/if I return to sports, there is a chance that I will feel something is not right in my knee, and I might then need surgery.

I am treating this as really conservatively, and following a rehab plan similar to recovery from an ACL reconstruction.

I have worked with Steve over the last year for ice/mixed strength and found his help invaluable, so I reached out to Scott about my knee.

Like you, I hope to start a structured strength training program for my legs, to come back stronger next year. I also will take some ski lessons, to try to improve my mediocre technique, so that I don’t have as much chance of falling.

I sympathize with you, and I understand how frustrating and difficult this must be, especially in your case, because you are a guide.

I would say that I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with Scott ad Steve, and I highly recommend their guidance and support, at whatever level you can afford.

I also found the following video series very helpful. They appear to have been produced by a large sports clinic in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TAslg8p2Vo

That’s the link to Phase 1 of recovery from an ACL reconstruction. You should be able to find the videos for phases 2-6. It starts off easy but by the end the exercises look quite difficult. It’s a little more geared toward sports like football and basketball, but the principles are the same.

Be advised–there is a period of static in that first video. Just click through until the demonstrations and explanations of the exercises start.

I am learning that the family of climbers and skiers who have injured their ACL is large. You should find lots of support. I occasionally climb/ski as a paying client with guides in Cham; who know, maybe when our knees heal by next season, we can get out together.

Best of luck with your recovery, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Bruno

[SFmike]

SFmike on April 25, 2018 at 5:26 pm #9541

This is a great thread – many thanks to all who contributed. For my part, I’m in PT for a patellar fracture that happened in December. Surprisingly, my range of motion is improving quickly. However, the struggle has been the atrophy in my quadraceps (medial side) above the injured knee. I lost a noticeable amount of muscle mass in that area and am not progressing as quickly as I’d like, but am happy to be out of the Robocop knee brace and walking up stairs (not down, unfortunately). If anyone has questions about patellar fractures, feel free to send me a note.

The recovery stories are great to read…thanks for sharing them!