Small quads after 6 months acl surgery

[zoggy]

I had acl surgery in March 2004. with a hammy graft.
I am like a faithful puppy with my rehab, have missed overall a day here or there. In the last 3 months I have been in the gym using heavy weights, low reps, single leg squats, leg presses, lunges, ham curls. I do this 2-3 times per week. In the last 4 weeks, I have also added 20 mins on the stationary bike 80rpm> as well as 10 minutes on the stepper. I do that 4 times a week.
On weekends, I do a 2.5 km jog down to my local field, where I then do a series of sprints 30m jog at 20% speed then 20m sprint at 85% speed and jog for 30m again. I do this 3 times then reduce the distance for jogging, to 25m, then 20m, then 15m while doing the 20m sprint in the middle.
I do figure 8 running and light side to side hopping while moving forward.
I do some balancing work on a mini tramp as well 2-3 times a week.

Problem is, I still have a 2 cm size difference in thigh circumference.
It just doesn't seem to want to build. I feel like I am working so hard and see very little improvements. How can I build my quads, not sure what else I can do. How long does it take. I have already resigned myself to the fact there will be no sporting comebacks for me for 12 months. Was hoping 6, but no way, as that's this Thursday......

[injuryupdate]

Sorry to say this, but permanent quads weakness is pretty common after an ACL reco, even with hamstring (rather than patellar tendon) graft. 2cm is not a lot, but it might reduce. Won't be a bad thing (if you are not a pro athlete) that you miss 12 months rather than 6.

Main thing is that hopefully your knee is stable and doesn't give way when you return to change of direction activities.

[zoggy]

Sorry to say this, but permanent quads weakness is pretty common after an ACL reco, even with hamstring (rather than patellar tendon) graft. 2cm is not a lot, but it might reduce. Won't be a bad thing (if you are not a pro athlete) that you miss 12 months rather than 6.

Main thing is that hopefully your knee is stable and doesn't give way when you return to change of direction activities.

Thanks for that. I was under the impression I must have equal size in both quads before returning to sport. The strength is almost equal even though the size isn't. (as far as single leg presses go)
I have heard it said your new acl knee needs to be 85% or over the strength of the good knee, b4 sport return, how is this actually measured? I thought quad size was the main way to judge...

[sydunisportsmed]

If your knee strength on the single leg press is close to the other side, then from the quads point of view you are OK to return. It may be that muscle bulk is down post-surgery but your strength is up from gym work you have done.

Some people never get past 85-90% quad strength compared to the other side, but can still successfully return to sport.

[Crizis]

Hi, i had an arthroscope about 2 months ago and i still have minor swelling in my knee, i think that the fluid may have calcified because i feel a hardend lump in the my lower part of my quad, just above my knee and also a little hardend lump towards the inside of my knee opposite the sided i had the cartilige trimmed. I was just wondering if this was possible and what i can do about it.

Also so far i can jog but not run properly, and also can not stretch my quad properly. Laslty he have lossed muscle in my quad similair to the message mentioned in the previous post. Is this something to worry about or is it common, thanx.