J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

How is the knee coming along?

I did some physio this morning and was declared 95% fit (14 months). Is only right at extreme range of motion, think standing on tip toe, that there is still some weakness. Sadly that last 5% is quite important for protecting knee but got some useful tips to keep things moving along.

Have properly started my pre-season fitness, managed nearly 750m vertical climb yesterday and will declare myself happy with progress if can double that before end of week. Was definitely a little wobbly on descent after so long. Calves are definitely the muscle that have suffered most throughout injury and were painful for the duration.

Fantastic weather in Chamonix and ultra marathon coming soon if people need a weekends motivation.

I always use chamexpress but mountaindropoffs have never let me down.

I would definitely not go setting them so low as to keep releasing because of a ski technique flaw. This sounds like a recipe for losing all confidence in your skiing. Apart from pure carving which is not practical on steeper slopes; there has to be an element of pivot in your turning vs just setting on an edge so did not fully agree with the logic anyway.

My advice for avoiding knee injuries would be.
1) No jumping.
2) No messing about, trying to do last minute stop and spray friends etc
3) Plan your route and ski properly until you have come to stop.
4) Play some form of sport because lack of body awareness/control is in reality the culprit for all ACL injuries.
5) Do specific ski exercises minimum 3 months before start of season.

Number 3 and 4 were my downfall, it hurt (physical and pride) and takes an age to recover from. The upside is you can spend a lot of time going uphill (highly underrated) and après ski can begin early.

Interestingly I ruptured my ACL whilst wearing a knee brace (one on each knee for warmth vs any specific worries about my knees). The first few times skiing again I have worn no protection and had always stated would not wear one. There are some significant downsides with regards to proprioception. Have to admit am now seriously considering investing in something substantial as believe would significantly reduce the chances of hyperextension

Verbier would be a decent option from Geneva. Chamonix will not be open for another 2 weeks and definitely no beginners area available at that time of year.

Nelly, have just started using a piece of kit called trigger point performance starter self massage. This is excellent bit of kit for ACL injuries. Can use for your normal straightening exercises but also great for ensuring your calf muscle doesn't "shorten". The remaining problems I have now are all related to lack of flexibility, particularly where calf muscle attaches above the knee. Stiffness there is still resulting in what I would call poor joint quality where takes extra effort to straighten. Would say am now 85% back to normal (has been 13 months post op) and had I started using this before would be 100% now. Am guessing you are still stuck to exercise bike for now, remember to keep changing the seat height to challenge the knee even if it means you cannot do full circle.

Hi Nelly,

Honestly if is raining you will be too scared of slipping. You are mobile straight after operation is just not very pleasant and probably not very healthy for leg. I spent 1 night in hospital following reconstruction and flew home to France directly upon release. After flight, transfer and stairs I was not feeling at all well when made it home. 36hrs before I was well enough to leave flat, despite empty fridge. 1 week later I flew back to work which if you have desk job is probably worst thing in world for you knee (you need to be able to stand at desk or knee will never straighten). Honestly I wish I had spent more time on sofa, heel on the arm rest straightening leg, first 2 weeks are key to regaining full range of motion. Remember that between week 4-8 you are at most risk of damaging your graft.

My recommendation take as much time off work as you possibly can get and take zero risk for first 3 month.

Well apart from completely agreeing with Snapzz there are a few things you can do to help yourself.
1) find a good boot fitter and let them suggest which boot. Forget any pre-conceived ideas about colors matching you jacket etc, just go with suggestion.
2) If you have high arches, bulky ankles or any etc then number 1 is not optional.
3) If you go alone few rules of thumb. Toes should touch end when standing up straight. Tighten them up and walk around should be zero movement. If they are comfortable at his point then they are already too big. Biggest mistake people make with boots is going for comfort and then 1-w week later they will end up slack.

Lastly boots are unlikely to improve your skiing. Nice to have if you invest in something that fits properly but definitely no magic bullet.