Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > General

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-05-2008, 12:47 AM   #1
Will Prusner
 
Will Prusner's Avatar
Dojo: AikiSpirit Dojo
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 196
United_States
Offline
Aikido after knee surgery

Been awhile since I posted, but felt like popping in... so,

I had knee surgery at the beginning of September 2007 to fix a torn lateral meniscus in my left knee (not an aikido related injury, i actually think it was caused by improper instruction in Tai Chi). I got back on the mat at the beginning of February this year, after completing physical therapy. Knee feels great, no further problems. Still some trouble sitting in seiza, but that feels equally bad on both sides, more practice i suppose... . Shikkyo is a possibility now, although frustrating to learn, i'm happy it's even possible. To be honest, the knee that got sliced generally feels better than the other one. It doesn't even ache when it rains, seriously, better than brand new!

I hear so many knee surgery horror stories, along the lines of: "It's all downhill after knee surgery" and "It'll never feel quite right ever again" and the worst I ever heard, "You'll be in and out of operating rooms for the rest of your life!" Just wanted to post this as a glimmer of hope for aikidoka who may be suffering from this or any injury.

I feel better on the mat than I ever have before and look forward to many, many years of practice.

The biggest lesson I got out of the whole experience is how absolutely critical it is to maintain proper (or even above average, if possible) muscle in the legs, for aikido and all other aspects of life.

Keep those legs strong and be kind to your knees!

W.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration...

ART! - http://birdsbeaks.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 02:17 AM   #2
crbateman
 
crbateman's Avatar
Location: Orlando, FL
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,502
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

Glad your outcome was so positive. Success stories are uplifting. I'd suggest that you enjoy yourself, but it sounds like you already are...
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 08:37 AM   #3
akiy
 
akiy's Avatar
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,049
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

Hi William,

Glad to hear your knee is on the mend. I hope your training goes well from here on out!

-- Jun

Please help support AikiWeb -- become an AikiWeb Contributing Member!
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 08:56 AM   #4
SmilingNage
Location: NJ
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 241
United_States
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

My experience with the horror stories of knee surgery come mainly from football from the 80's and 90's. Back then if you didnt have the very best doc., you most likely had a limp for the rest of your life. I ve known quite a few Aikido practitioners that had knee surgery in the 2k era and it seems that the process is down to a science. All of them have no problem with practice both standing and kneeling.

So here is to no relapses

Dont make me, make you, grab my wrist.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 09:20 AM   #5
Janet Rosen
 
Janet Rosen's Avatar
Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,339
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

Wonderful news! Be nice to your bod and have fun.

Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 02:13 PM   #6
Tambreet
Dojo: Tenshinkan Dojo, Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
United_States
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

Interesting post!

I managed a complete tear of my ACL in the fall (also not aikido-related), one that allowed me to run, but pretty much ruled out any aikido (I couldn't pivot at all). I had surgery in November.

After that was a long 6 months of rehab and no aikido. Finally in May, I got a sport brace and my doctor let me back on the mat.

Now that I'm back training, I haven't found anything that causes pain, although I do sometimes get a dull ache when it's humid out or when a storm's a brewin'. I can even sit seiza off the mat, although the range of motion of the brace doesn't allow it, so no shikko, suwari- or hamni hintachi-waza for me yet.

The hardest thing about the training has been relearning everything. I've only be doing this aikido thing for 3 years and before I got hurt, I was just starting to feel like I was "getting" the timing and becoming fluid with my technique. Frustratingly (though not surprisingly), that timing and fluidity have been the toughest things to get back. And although my therapist said the leg was more-or-less back up to strength, I feel the muscles are lacking. Particularly, when doing koshinage on my bad side, it is hard to drive/lift through that leg. I'm sure part of that is mental too. I think it'll take a while before the mental fear is totally gone - I'm still quite cautious for fear of getting injured again.

Still, it's great to be training again, and I can't wait until another 3 months go by so I can lose the knee brace. I still have hopes for 10)% recovery.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 02:26 PM   #7
Marc Abrams
Dojo: Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai/ Bedford Hills, New York
Location: New York
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,302
United_States
Offline
Re: Aikido after knee surgery

William:

I am a veteran of two arthroscopic surgeries- one on each knee! It will take your body awhile to fully adjust to a "new knee" and a longer time for all of the inflamation to subside (as the scar tissue "resolves" itself). I would strongly recommend acupuncture and Chinese medicine (bone setting- in particular) at this juncture. I would also recommend starting Cosamin DS. This is a highly effective and well researched combo of glucosamine and chondroiton. If Cosamin is too expensive, Trader Joes sells a product this is extremely close.

I am now twelve years post my last surgery and do Aikido (teach and practice), along with some other things! The only modifications that I have had to adjust to is no more regular running and no compressive exercises for my knees. I know that when the technique of growing your own cartilage is much more established with long-term studies, I will have some grown and inserted in both knees to replace what has been worn-out and cut away. That is off in the distant future. For now, all is well! Best of luck in your recovery- JUST BE PATIENT AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

Marc Abrams
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Why do some people hate Aikido? Guilty Spark General 611 01-16-2017 09:13 AM
Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 6 Peter Goldsbury Columns 35 03-13-2009 06:16 PM
Aikido minus mysticism: a step forward Red Beetle General 358 10-10-2006 11:43 AM
Knee Surgery and Aikido mouse7000 General 1 10-13-2004 08:08 AM
Two things. Veers General 8 04-04-2003 01:54 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:19 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate