RECOVERY: TAKE 4

Every recovering athlete must endure the long, hard road of physical therapy. Not only is physical therapy important for physical recovery, but mental recovery as well. As an injured athlete, especially with knee injuries, mentally preparing yourself to reenter practices and games is crucial. Gaining that confidence to step back out there and play again is tough. During the recovery process sitting on the sideline supporting your team is as close to getting in the game as you can get. Lets face it, no athlete likes to sit on the sideline, especially when they have no change at entering the game. Personally, sitting on the sidelines when I should be playing is what stalls my recovery the most.

My physical therapy has been getting more and more challenging after each surgery. Not only is the recovery process elongated because my physical strength is no longer there, the real challenge is staying mentally prepared and strong to recover. Quitting seemed like the best option after surgery number 4, and quite frankly, it still seems like the best option at times. When I have my off days, my painful days, and the days where it seems like it will never get better I must remember that the reward at the end will be worth it.

http://www.fitnessquotesimg.com/quotes-images/dont-quit-726165.jpg

Giving up should never be an option. Every athlete is trained to overcome the pain and put 110% effort at all times. The pain is already there, so why not push through it.

I am currently in week 8 of my recovery: UPDATE? There is no muscle contraction in my quad (so they have a machine do it for me, which is quite honestly the most painful thing I have ever done), I still can’t lift more than three pounds (a few reps only), I still walk with a limp, I can’t do basic ladder drills with speed yet, and I am still working on muscle memory.

Physical therapy is a crucial part of my recovery. Doing my exercises at home or at the gym on my days off are really what is going to help the extra boost with my strength and recovery. My favorite exercises to do are with different colored bands so I can track my strength and improvement.

Check out the video below for a few good exercises with bands for strengthening!

References:

http://www.fitnessquotesimg.com/quotes-images/dont-quit-726165.jpg 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA8HxekuOZ8