Dear Douglas:

I was referred to you from the Total Gym website. I've been using my Total Gym for the last 6 months and just love it.

I am about to be released from a physical therapy program for arthroscopic knee surgery (7 weeks ago) since I now have full range of motion.(This was knee surgery for meniscus tears and therapy for meniscus and an MCL sprain.). Can you recommend any particular exercises on my Total Gym that would aid in my rehab and/or any exercises that I should avoid?

Right now I am really trying to build strength in my right quadricep and its been a bit of a battle. Thank you so much for your help!

Paula S.
Utah

First, congratulations on your successful knee rehabilitation, to this point! I always encourage people who have undergone any type of joint surgery to remain diligent and consistent with their rehab. It will pay off.

As you have experienced, the Total Gym is a great piece of exercise and rehab equipment. Its original design has been used in the physical therapy field for years.

Now, with regard to your question. Since your current therapist will probably be familiar with the Total Gym--thousands of therapy clinics use it world-wide--I would highly recommend you ask her/him for suggestions and specific guidance. No one will know your situation better, but I'll outline a plan below.

Generally, many types of leg press or squat-type movements will be well-tolerated by your knee, as you're 7-8 weeks into your rehab. Basically, you are looking to strengthen "knee extension," or straightening of the lower leg. And, you can do that in isolation (i.e., seated knee extension or leg curl) or using leg press-type movements. The Total Gym offers the option of doing the closed chain-type exercise--leg pressing movements--which therapists generally prefer to use when rehabing knees. In your owner's manual or exercise flip chart this type of exercise is referenced as a side squat, one leg side squat, or supine single and double leg squats.

Additionally, it is possible to do knee or leg extension exercises for the front of the thigh on the Total Gym if you have the "leg pull/ankle cuff." Leg curls or pulls for the back of the upper leg are also possible. Strengthening both sides of the upper and lower leg can only help strengthen, stabilize and increase the integrity of the "knee" joint.

Get specific recommendations from your therapist regarding the degree of knee flexion or extension (how much the knee bends) during these exercises, and have the therapist assign the number of repetitions--based on how much resistance you work against--you should be doing.

Finally, if approved by your therapist, consider doing some unilateral (one leg at a time) exercises to help build strength in your right quadriceps. Sometimes, the "good" leg compensates and takes most of the load, which can hinder strength gains.

Best of luck and don't let up!!

Sincerely,
Douglas Brooks, M.S., Exercise Physiologist