This is the last post.
It has been a long journey back to regular training. I had my 1year check last week.
MRI, CT, X-ray, motion check, muscle measurements, power and control checks.... and a few more that I cant remember the names of!
All checks went fantastic! I am able to resume regular training and slowly build up my jumping etc.
I hope my blog helps (if anyone has read it!)
Goodluck to anyone who has to go through ACL surgery!
Ossu.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Second last post and a pleasant surprise!
This month will mark the one year anniversary of my surgery. I will have my one year checkup at the end of the month and will post the results and my ideas/feelings of the past year. My next post will also be the last post I make...
My reason for making this thread of posts was/is two-fold...
Firstly it was a way for me to shift my focus from being depressed and negative to a positive one...an outlet of sorts that allowed me to have a constructive rehab experience post-surgery.
And secondly, I found there was very little out there as to how a karate-ka would/can deal with the ACL surgery and post-op rehab with the ultimate aim of returning to full training.
I have no idea if anyone reads/ has read my blog and posts...but I hope that if anyone has and found them helpful then I am glad. I was a mess with trying to cope and "get ready" for the surgery that would either repair my knee or ruin it, and my karate life with it...and having little to no "karate" specific (I could only find Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiujitsu and kickboxing references online) stories I found myself stressed quite alot.
I have come a long way since my last post, my training is still not 100%, and I still find issues with my knee (and the "good" knee which has suffered from overuse trying to cover the bad knee).
On a whole I feel like I have done well with rehab and my return to karate.
On a training note. In my last post I mentioned that I wasn't passed on my last test (nunchaku kata)...this was presented to me in February (I took January off from training) and took me by surprise. (My surname has a slight spelling mistake, but I don't mind!)
Naitou-sensei, the Head Instructor from the Hiroshima honbu of the Gensei-ryu Karate-do International Butokukai presented me with my Sandan (Third Dan) certification upon my return to training. I was more than a little taken aback as I was under the impression I would be resitting my test in another year!
This gave me another push to get myself back into shape and to strive forward with other areas I wish to explore in the karate world. (Referee qualification, Japan Karatedo Federation certification and training at the Butokukai Honbu someday.)
I will leave my post there and conclude everything in the final post after my check-up.
My reason for making this thread of posts was/is two-fold...
Firstly it was a way for me to shift my focus from being depressed and negative to a positive one...an outlet of sorts that allowed me to have a constructive rehab experience post-surgery.
And secondly, I found there was very little out there as to how a karate-ka would/can deal with the ACL surgery and post-op rehab with the ultimate aim of returning to full training.
I have no idea if anyone reads/ has read my blog and posts...but I hope that if anyone has and found them helpful then I am glad. I was a mess with trying to cope and "get ready" for the surgery that would either repair my knee or ruin it, and my karate life with it...and having little to no "karate" specific (I could only find Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiujitsu and kickboxing references online) stories I found myself stressed quite alot.
I have come a long way since my last post, my training is still not 100%, and I still find issues with my knee (and the "good" knee which has suffered from overuse trying to cover the bad knee).
On a whole I feel like I have done well with rehab and my return to karate.
On a training note. In my last post I mentioned that I wasn't passed on my last test (nunchaku kata)...this was presented to me in February (I took January off from training) and took me by surprise. (My surname has a slight spelling mistake, but I don't mind!)
Naitou-sensei, the Head Instructor from the Hiroshima honbu of the Gensei-ryu Karate-do International Butokukai presented me with my Sandan (Third Dan) certification upon my return to training. I was more than a little taken aback as I was under the impression I would be resitting my test in another year!
This gave me another push to get myself back into shape and to strive forward with other areas I wish to explore in the karate world. (Referee qualification, Japan Karatedo Federation certification and training at the Butokukai Honbu someday.)
I will leave my post there and conclude everything in the final post after my check-up.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
As the year winds down...
This past year has been a crazy ride...from nerve-wracking knee surgery and the birth of my son, to a stress filled past couple of months of training for my sandan in a new karate style...needless to say its been one hell of a roller coaster ride!
My knee is slowly, but surely, getting stronger and more mobile. Am now jogging and light bouncing on it. Still have a long way to go....and alot of muscle/confidence rehab to do.
My training is slowly picking up pace and mobility...another year before I will be back to being able to kick with power....but leaves me plenty of time to work on th tiny adjustments needed.
Unfortunately, my test didn't go as planned...
From the results posted on the wall of the Hiroshima honbu-dojo I gather (still not quite sure as stuff gets lost in translation) that my Shukumine Bassai-dai, Koshoukun-dai kata and Kumite test results were a pass....but....my name is listed under 再講習 (saikoushu) for 'nunchaku no kihon kata', this translates as "short re-training of 'nunchaku no kihon kata' "....kinda....I have been instructed to put my blackbelt back on but I am still unsure as to what my rank is....oh well....back to more nunchaku practice!
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New-Year.
My knee is slowly, but surely, getting stronger and more mobile. Am now jogging and light bouncing on it. Still have a long way to go....and alot of muscle/confidence rehab to do.
My training is slowly picking up pace and mobility...another year before I will be back to being able to kick with power....but leaves me plenty of time to work on th tiny adjustments needed.
Unfortunately, my test didn't go as planned...
From the results posted on the wall of the Hiroshima honbu-dojo I gather (still not quite sure as stuff gets lost in translation) that my Shukumine Bassai-dai, Koshoukun-dai kata and Kumite test results were a pass....but....my name is listed under 再講習 (saikoushu) for 'nunchaku no kihon kata', this translates as "short re-training of 'nunchaku no kihon kata' "....kinda....I have been instructed to put my blackbelt back on but I am still unsure as to what my rank is....oh well....back to more nunchaku practice!
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New-Year.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Status...
So it's been 7months since my surgery...
I went for my first 'real' jog today. I managed to do about 1 kilometer, knee held up pretty well. It was a slow shuffle style as I still lack the confidence to push a full jog step as yet.
Post jog and my knee fells fantastic...my new regime will be
Monday-workout (upper body and strength conditioning),
Tuesdays-Karate at the Butokukai Hiroshima Honbu,
Wednesdays-rest,
Thursdays-Jog,
Fridays-Physio,
Saturdays-rest and
Sundays-Karate training.
As for my progress in the dojo. Am able to do light-controlled kicking and can move pretty well in kata and kumite. Still having problems with moving back in kumite...but I am in no hurry so all is good!
My sandan certification/test has been finalized. I am sitting it during the Winter Gasshuku(camp) over the last weekend in November....a month earlier than I thought.
I have managed to learn two of the kata (still committing them to memory) but I still have the nunchaku kata to learn...a month and a bit to go....fingers crossed!!
For those interested the kata I have been learning are linked below...
Shukumine Bassai Dai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQVuSckGkM
Koshoukun Dai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0EmnYFohmM
Nunchaku Kata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUbEPdrNt9I
I went for my first 'real' jog today. I managed to do about 1 kilometer, knee held up pretty well. It was a slow shuffle style as I still lack the confidence to push a full jog step as yet.
Post jog and my knee fells fantastic...my new regime will be
Monday-workout (upper body and strength conditioning),
Tuesdays-Karate at the Butokukai Hiroshima Honbu,
Wednesdays-rest,
Thursdays-Jog,
Fridays-Physio,
Saturdays-rest and
Sundays-Karate training.
As for my progress in the dojo. Am able to do light-controlled kicking and can move pretty well in kata and kumite. Still having problems with moving back in kumite...but I am in no hurry so all is good!
My sandan certification/test has been finalized. I am sitting it during the Winter Gasshuku(camp) over the last weekend in November....a month earlier than I thought.
I have managed to learn two of the kata (still committing them to memory) but I still have the nunchaku kata to learn...a month and a bit to go....fingers crossed!!
For those interested the kata I have been learning are linked below...
Shukumine Bassai Dai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQVuSckGkM
Koshoukun Dai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0EmnYFohmM
Nunchaku Kata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUbEPdrNt9I
Saturday, September 19, 2015
A little late...
So, I have been away from this blog for awhile....
Fatherhood (now 7 weeks old) will do that!
So my 6month check up went well. I still have 2 to 3cm to make up to achieve balanced muscle mass of both legs. In the strength tests, two tests, there is still a 26% difference in explosive power muscles and a 32% difference in slow power muscles.
Now this may seem alot, but I have been reassured it is quite normal. Normal athletes and even casual ones, generally have a little better numbers, but martial arts places so much strain on the knees that recovery takes longer.
Onto my training...
I have stepped up the training, bit by bit, to a level that my teacher has told me to prepare for a winter grading (sometime during December) at the Winter Gasshuku (training camp). Now this adds some interesting difficulties...one is that being as December puts me 4 months shy of 1year post surgery and the other that one of the required kata contains a Nidangeri (jumping kick), third being I have to learn 2new kata, 1 nunchaku kata and have to face various rounds of kumite....
A challenge to say the least! (Adding the lack of sleep and home training to the mix....but looking at my boy makes it worthwhile!)
Winter Sandan Exam....here I come!
Fatherhood (now 7 weeks old) will do that!
So my 6month check up went well. I still have 2 to 3cm to make up to achieve balanced muscle mass of both legs. In the strength tests, two tests, there is still a 26% difference in explosive power muscles and a 32% difference in slow power muscles.
Now this may seem alot, but I have been reassured it is quite normal. Normal athletes and even casual ones, generally have a little better numbers, but martial arts places so much strain on the knees that recovery takes longer.
Onto my training...
I have stepped up the training, bit by bit, to a level that my teacher has told me to prepare for a winter grading (sometime during December) at the Winter Gasshuku (training camp). Now this adds some interesting difficulties...one is that being as December puts me 4 months shy of 1year post surgery and the other that one of the required kata contains a Nidangeri (jumping kick), third being I have to learn 2new kata, 1 nunchaku kata and have to face various rounds of kumite....
A challenge to say the least! (Adding the lack of sleep and home training to the mix....but looking at my boy makes it worthwhile!)
Winter Sandan Exam....here I come!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
As summer approaches....
So my checkup was not my 6month checkup as previously thought. It was just a consultation for my doctor to check how I am doing and to have a talk about my progress and mobility range.
I am permitted to start light jogging now, this will slowly increase my knees "stress" resistance. Jogging will put a small amount of jarring stress on my knee....this increase will build the knees natural resistance and cushioning up which will, in turn, benefit my karate training allowing me to slightly increase "mock" kumite and kata speed.
I will be having my 6month scans and testing mid August.
A big thankyou to Naitou-sensei for encouraging me and also for telling me to slow down/back off when needed.
I was also given a new goal which will help with my mental game....Sensei told me to make sure I have remembered the required syllabus upto sandan by winter gasshuku (training camp). Febuary will mark 1year which should see me back to 90% so it will allow me to participate in a grading, of which I thought would be a lower grade. Lots to learn!
I am permitted to start light jogging now, this will slowly increase my knees "stress" resistance. Jogging will put a small amount of jarring stress on my knee....this increase will build the knees natural resistance and cushioning up which will, in turn, benefit my karate training allowing me to slightly increase "mock" kumite and kata speed.
I will be having my 6month scans and testing mid August.
A big thankyou to Naitou-sensei for encouraging me and also for telling me to slow down/back off when needed.
I was also given a new goal which will help with my mental game....Sensei told me to make sure I have remembered the required syllabus upto sandan by winter gasshuku (training camp). Febuary will mark 1year which should see me back to 90% so it will allow me to participate in a grading, of which I thought would be a lower grade. Lots to learn!
Saturday, June 20, 2015
6 month post-surgery check up
Next month (July) I will have my 6 month check-up.
This will give me an idea of how far my knee has recovered from the surgery as well as mobility, strength, muscle mass and range of motion tests.
I will also be meeting with my surgeon to discuss the next step of rehab and what/how much I am permitted to do in and out of the dojo.
This will be an interesting talk....my surgeon doesn't like the fact I returned to karate, even though my rehabilitation doctor said it was a good idea!
I am still training with Genseiryu Butokukai and my own training 2 to 3 times a week. My range of motion and mobility is slowly increasing but I still try to hold myself back for safety reasons.
My next post will be after my check up.....
This will give me an idea of how far my knee has recovered from the surgery as well as mobility, strength, muscle mass and range of motion tests.
I will also be meeting with my surgeon to discuss the next step of rehab and what/how much I am permitted to do in and out of the dojo.
This will be an interesting talk....my surgeon doesn't like the fact I returned to karate, even though my rehabilitation doctor said it was a good idea!
I am still training with Genseiryu Butokukai and my own training 2 to 3 times a week. My range of motion and mobility is slowly increasing but I still try to hold myself back for safety reasons.
My next post will be after my check up.....
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