ACL tear and exercises to lose weight

Hello,

This really isn't a physiotherapy question. Recently I had an ACL tear. It's been over 2 months and I'm still unable to walk long distances without my knee hurting. I go to the gym to do cycling but again can't do too much. I can walk maybe 10 minutes somewhat with a normal gait pattern until I either need a break or I have to use one crutch.

I know it'll take time and I'm doing all the exercises that I've been given, however, I'm getting engaged this year (in my culture we have an engagement ceremony...like a mini-wedding), and I was exercising prior to my injury to help me lose weight.

Are there any exercises anyone could recommend to help me lose weight without causing further damage to my knee? I've been eating healthy. But obviously none of the exercises I do are going to help me to lose the weight I want to. And I know with the injury I'm not going to lose drastic weight. But something is better than nothing!

Sorry if this is an inappropriate question to ask here! Just thought I'd ask the experts! =).

Thank you in advance. =).

Hi,

I would request you to provide further information regarding the type of ACL injury, treatment done for ACL injury.

Swimming cannot harm your knee. And is the best and easiest aerobic exercise to loose weight.

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Originally Posted by Dyvyne

Hello,

This really isn't a physiotherapy question. Recently I had an ACL tear. It's been over 2 months and I'm still unable to walk long distances without my knee hurting. I go to the gym to do cycling but again can't do too much. I can walk maybe 10 minutes somewhat with a normal gait pattern until I either need a break or I have to use one crutch.

I know it'll take time and I'm doing all the exercises that I've been given, however, I'm getting engaged this year (in my culture we have an engagement ceremony...like a mini-wedding), and I was exercising prior to my injury to help me lose weight.

Are there any exercises anyone could recommend to help me lose weight without causing further damage to my knee? I've been eating healthy. But obviously none of the exercises I do are going to help me to lose the weight I want to. And I know with the injury I'm not going to lose drastic weight. But something is better than nothing!

Sorry if this is an inappropriate question to ask here! Just thought I'd ask the experts! =).

Thank you in advance. =).

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here are also some exercises that most orthopedic doctors would suggest:
- Seated or standing boxing, either against a bag or while holding small hand weights.
- "quick bends" - stand upright, bend over and touch your toes, then touch your waist, then reach overhead and stand on your tiptoes. Repeat. You can do this pretty fast, maybe while holding a medicine ball, to give you some aerobic intensity.
- Put a couple upper body strength training moves and ab exercises in a fast circuit. You can also include any lower body exercises that you find you can do safely and comfortably, but never put yourself in a situation where you risk falling (which could case more damage to the knee).
- Hand cycle, if you have access to one.
- Rowing machine, but limit your leg movement to your knee's comfortable range of motion and focus on pulling with your arms/torso.

Also try to keep your calorie intake under control, and do what exercise you can. But mostly, focus on taking good care of you ACL injury and work hard at physical therapy.
You can consult the doctors at OrthoTexas for more information.