Quote Originally Posted by Yog3nd View Post
Good day to everyone
And to you!
A year back I had a left Wikipedia reference-linkmeniscus tear (left knee) after playing soccer. I went for surgery to get it repaired and was told that I was fortunate that the meniscus wasn't that damaged and it was sewn back in place. I went for physiotherapy for a few months but due to certain commitments back then, I could not attend the sessions regularly.
Very fortunate indeed!
Now, I notice that the whole of my left leg is much weaker and my thigh muscles are much softer compared to my right. Previously my physiotherapist had told me that since my left leg is weaker than the right, I should build up more muscle by using a heavier weight when working out my left leg. She had mentioned the term "strength deficiency" or something of that nature.
It appears simply that your left leg muscles are weaker than those of your right leg (possibly due to immobility? avoiding weight bearing?) I don't know what it means by building up more muscle by using a heavier weight, are you being prescribed exercises just for the left leg?
My question is how do I know what is the exact weight I should attempt to train with in comparison with my right leg? And which exercises should I focus on? I humbly seek your expert advice . Cheers!
There are several ways to go about finding a solution to this problem, but it also depends entirely on what equipment you have available.
I would be inclined to work the stronger limb first, and then work the weaker limb to its maximum capacity (this may be at lower weight, or lesser rep range). This implies that you are completing unilateral or single limb movements at the moment. Closed chain bilateral movements can be progressed to (e.g. squat) at a later time.

There are really many ways to go about this, but other factors need to be taken into consideration. Considering the one limb is weaker, has the therapist considered muscle balance issues. Does the weakness affect the way you walk? If so purely strengthening the muscle without taking into consideration the kinematics of current movement may compound further muscle imbalance and contribute to dysfunctional movement.

Additionally I would suggest performing exercise under supervision. You could progress much more quickly if you were able to do for example a leg press machine with the aid of someone who can help you match your left sided leg weakness to the performance of your Stronger limb

Yog3nd
As above, however more information would be useful