Re: Waite Partial ACL tear.
Hi all
Though being no doc, i have had extensive experience in knees (2 recos and 2 partial tears).
From my experience, a partial tear could be an approx 3 month lay off. I cannot remember what grade the tears were but on both occasions i was in a knee brace (think Koutas comeback game at the dome when he wore half a car on his leg) for three months on both occasions. Being in the brace stops sideways movement and locking the leg. This then obviously reduces the muscle mass in the leg as well. By having this brace on, it will help the ACL repair itself but then the work to help increase the muscle to how it once was could take a bit of time.
However what could compound this is, i read today waite has loose ligaments in his knees (exactly like me and let me tell you it sucks to high heaven). This then could create issues later as the ACL might not repair itself to its original strength and then could be more prone to snapping later on.
Because of the condition of loose ligaments, doctors and physios will stress that you need to build muscle in the quads, hammys and calfs to help keep the knee joint strong. Question is for Waite, how much muscle could be build on his skinny frame that wont affect is ability to jump and run?
Anyhow, if he has the op, then kiss 2009 goodbye even with a partial tear. If he goes for brace and rest, fingers crossed and with all the right treatment he could be back (a big maybe) by late August/early Sept as a conservative approach.
All i can say is good luck Waitey.
Hi all
Though being no doc, i have had extensive experience in knees (2 recos and 2 partial tears).
From my experience, a partial tear could be an approx 3 month lay off. I cannot remember what grade the tears were but on both occasions i was in a knee brace (think Koutas comeback game at the dome when he wore half a car on his leg) for three months on both occasions. Being in the brace stops sideways movement and locking the leg. This then obviously reduces the muscle mass in the leg as well. By having this brace on, it will help the ACL repair itself but then the work to help increase the muscle to how it once was could take a bit of time.
However what could compound this is, i read today waite has loose ligaments in his knees (exactly like me and let me tell you it sucks to high heaven). This then could create issues later as the ACL might not repair itself to its original strength and then could be more prone to snapping later on.
Because of the condition of loose ligaments, doctors and physios will stress that you need to build muscle in the quads, hammys and calfs to help keep the knee joint strong. Question is for Waite, how much muscle could be build on his skinny frame that wont affect is ability to jump and run?
Anyhow, if he has the op, then kiss 2009 goodbye even with a partial tear. If he goes for brace and rest, fingers crossed and with all the right treatment he could be back (a big maybe) by late August/early Sept as a conservative approach.
All i can say is good luck Waitey.