serious injury from leg press

[Pirate!]

I learned a valuable lesson: Watch form on leg press. Pressing my usual weight, my feet were a bit wide, and it is possible my toes were slightly pointed out. As I lowered the weight my left leg snaped and the weight came down, crippling me. The tendon that connects to my adductor tore almost all the way off my pelvis and pulled my pelvis so hard that it tore my lower abs that connect to the same part of the pelvic bone. I think this was in part because I was trying to keep my back straight also. Anyway, the adductors are small muscles, so make sure not to let too much weight shift to your inner thigh during this exercise. It has been weeks, the crutches are gone, but I'll be lucky to be working my legs again by fall.

 

[Hanz29]

My first year in college, I was also injured using the leg press.
I had never used one before, and I obviously did not know enough- I came down with too much momentum, my ass came off the pad, and I hurt my back- I couldn't get out of bed for days, and had trouble for months.....my lower back is weak to this day, but I get by.

Hope you recover well

 

[Pirate!]

I think I was trying to keep my back too straight. I didn't come down too fast but I didn't let my lower back flex at all (in order to protect it). It seemed like I was just doing what I always did. Same weight. Same stance. It was the first rep of the first set. Just let the weight down, it kept coming, and snap! Obviously, the wide stance put more pressure on my adductors, though. I might substitute leg extension in the future. I can't imagine doing leg press again--even though I know it is realtively safe Surely, there are multiple factors. Looking back, it seems that I had been experiencing discomfort in that area for weeks. It was probably already pulled before I tore the hell out of it. Awfull experience that ruined my summer routine. I am recovering well, do to caring for myself. I hope to start my upper body again three weeks after the injury (a week from now). Thanks for your well wishes.

 

[Rich46yo]

Its very easy to snooker yourself into going heavy on this machine. Especially if you love working legs, even more so if its your best lift. Last year I was feeling great one day and was lifting heavy on the leg press, "we have one at work". I wont say how much I was lifting but it was an amount someone with a bad back had no business doing. I got half way thru the lift and felt my back starting to go. It was like in an instant I said to myself, "you fool what are you doing lifting this"? I got it down without to bad an injury but I had to quit my workout.

Same thing with squats. I have to force myself to lift lighter and go for reps. I think its natural to really "go for it" when doing legs, most of all for "leg people". Pirate I hope you heal quickly.........take care...........Rich

 

[Big Smoothy]

I learned a valuable lesson: Watch form on leg press. Pressing my usual weight, my feet were a bit wide, and it is possible my toes were slightly pointed out. As I lowered the weight my left leg snaped and the weight came down, crippling me. The tendon that connects to my adductor tore almost all the way off my pelvis and pulled my pelvis so hard that it tore my lower abs that connect to the same part of the pelvic bone. I think this was in part because I was trying to keep my back straight also. Anyway, the adductors are small muscles, so make sure not to let too much weight shift to your inner thigh during this exercise.....

So....you possibly tore a tendon that connects to your abductor because your toes were "slightly pointed out?"

Was the weight very, very, heavy?

 

[Pirate!]

I did tear the tendon badly. I have been seeing a sports doctor for weeks, and doing rehab. Also tore my abs. It was the same weight I have been doing for over a month: 410 lbs, about 8 reps. There are many factors I believe contributed to the injury. I believe I mentioned some earlier. But yes, a wide stance by itself puts much more stress on the adductors. I had experienced soreness in the area for atleast a week before, so it was probably a minor pull (yet another factor). I've never had any problems with the leg press before. It was my first rep of the first set. Did everything the same as always, and my leg snapped. And I was properly warmed up. I am going to try to hamstring curls, quad extensions, and calf raises pretty soon. I figure those should be easier on the adductors. The tendon is healing well, due to good care. Abs not getting much better. It was my left adductor (not abductor) group that tore from the tendon, Mr. Snafu. Yes, try pointing your toes out with a wide stance, keeping your back straight on the leg press and you will feel your adductors overloading.

 

[DrChiro]

Are you currently (or have you in the past) taken steroids? I only ask because these can weaken the muscle insertions and lead to tears and avulsions. I know so many people who have experienced this.

Of course this isnt the only reason it can happen....but I was just curious.