loose knee

[joeaverage]

A friend of mine, in his early 40's lost half of his left leg at the knee years ago. Wears a prosthetic. Leads a very active life, works full time for a cell phone company, hunts, fish, has a wife and 3 boys.
He has a little weight that he would like to lose so he wants my help with setting up a routine. He purchased a JA power rack, got some weight, ordered bands. I feel that he would do better using a safety squat bar, can hold onto the rack which will help him maintain his balance.
His concern is that in his right knee his tendons and ligaments are loose, (not sure if that is from the accident when he lost his leg) and his doctor told him that he needs to be careful with that knee. I think you know my position, training with bands can and will help to strengthen his tendons and ligaments in his knee.
Before I get him started, needed your professional opinion. Starting him with light band tension, will that improve his knee or make it worse?
Personally, I don't think his knee is as bad as he thinks it is because of how active he is.
Thanks,
Jim

[drjbozzelle]

I cannot be 100% sure without examining the knee myself, but... amputations will not loosen the knee ligaments themselves (the level of the amputation is too low. However, the insertion of the patella tendon my be loose. I think the SSB is a better idea than regular bar for the reason you mentioned. I would start out with light band tension. The amount of tension/weight that can be done depends of the amount of weight the prosthesis can hold.

Keep me posted & let me know if there are any further questions

Thanks

DrJBozzelle

[joeaverage]

Doc:
It's the knee on his good leg that he is worried about.

[drjbozzelle]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. My oversight.
The same principle for that knee - start low with the bands & strengthen the quads, push the band tension. Does he have much pain in the right knee? If so, this (at least early on ) can be a guide. I agree with you, bands are the way to go.

DrJBozzelle

[joeaverage]

Thanks for stopping by. No pain in the knee, he just doesn't want to damage it further. I told him the bands will strengthen the knee.