Squatting

[poppa_cracker]

Just bragging a bit, I had 5 knee surgeries 5 years ago. Legs went from 31 inches to to 22 inches. I have gotten most of my size back, they are about 29.5 now with the left slightly smaller. But today for the first time since the surgery I was able to hit 495 for 10 reps for 2 sets. No knee wraps were used other than a compression wrap on my left knee. I hope this is a good sign that heavy squats are on the way.

 

[Intense]

That's awesome progress man, just be smart about it! 495 is very respectable, and for 10 reps I would consider those "heavy squats" lol

 

[poppa_cracker]

Lol thanks man. I just remember back in the day this was considered a bad squat day for me. I will be happy here for awhile or at least break out the knee wraps

 

[jadean]

Nice job brother, always inspirational to here people coming back from injuries and pushing the limits once again.

 

[MuscleGauge1]

This is good news bro. Can't believe you really had 5 knee surgeries. I had one tore my ACL sprained my meniscus and tore my LCL. Diagnosis I'm f ****** lol you know the feeling, well your back on your way to heavy squats which is good. Keep it up bro. That's awesome to hear. Let me know if you need any pointers. I love squats. Have you ever tried hack squats?

 

[Dr.G]

good job just be smart: no more surgeries

 

[Christsean]

Great job!!! Now let's not here about knee surgery number 6.

 

[DaMaster]

Good job man! Coming back from one surgery is a challenge enough but 5? Damn bro... that there is some dedication.

 

[poppa_cracker]

Just some background. 5 years ago I decided to play football with some 18-20 year old kids. I was 35 and 2weeks post comp. I competed at 216 lbs at my state show ballooned to 247 and thought this was a good idea to go play with no pads. Needless to say it ended badly. I ended up with bilateral full quad tendon tears. My left knee was jacked up from the surgery and James Andrews did the next 4 to fix the screw up. Last year I won my state show as a light heavy and my goal is to qualify next year as a heavy again and try to compete at a national show maybe masters now that I'm 40. We'll see I have to qualify first...looking to compete in may so I might start a show prep topic later when I start dieting.

 

[MuscleGauge1]

I really hope you keep your strength up and continue to work out hard and also eat right. You should not be having anymore surgeries anytime soon. I really think you are on the right track. It should go great for you. Keep the faith bro.

 

[rockwholesale]

Thats quite an impressive recovery! You mentioned that you had the surgeries 5 years ago, when were you finally able to get back in the gym??

 

[OTG85]

My knees are on the way to injury.I can barley do reps with 315 anymore.They hurt all dsy and make weird cracking noises.Squating without knee wraps is almost impossible.I wish I had insurance.

 

[poppa_cracker]

Thats quite an impressive recovery! You mentioned that you had the surgeries 5 years ago, when were you finally able to get back in the gym??

It was 2 years before any leg work started. The first surgery left my knee cap in the left leg 2.5 inches to high. The next surgeries were correction phases with pins and wires hold the knee in place. It was kind of like braces for your teeth where they would go back and tighten them and lower the cap a little. It is still a little high to be honest but it's still way better than it was. Lol when I first started training legs again, they were literally so week that I could barely do extensions with 30lbs. When I first started any pressing I was on one of those chuck Norris machines on one level above parallel to the floor. My legs went from 31 inches to under 22inches.