Michael's Journey Back

MTWNBF · 05-31-2008, 05:36 PM

Good afternoon. Hello, my name is Michael Thomas and I am a WNBF Pro bodybuilder. I wanted to share my journey with the forum. Throughout my training career I have had my share of injuries but most of them haven't been career ending. Over the past 10 years or so I had some problems with my left knee. To make a long story short I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with osteochondritis dissecans. Basically this is a lack of blood flow to the femur which causes a detrioration in the articular cartilage. Which presents big problems for an athlete. Basically my defect was in the trochlea of the femur which is where the patella articulates. So with every squat or leg press my knee cap was taking out pieces of the cartilage which ultimately was damaging the bone. My first doctor here locally said he couldn't do anything and gave me some injections to help lubricate the surface of the femur and get me through. Finally, after literally limping through the next 2 years of competing and living the situation got worse. I then was referred to a specialist at Barnes Jewish Hospital who thought he could fix it but it would be a loonng recovery. I would need a cartilage and bone transplant (osteochondral allograft transplant). I was on the donor waiting list for 6 months and on March 19th we had the surgery. You can see my pics of the actual surgery on my website's blog. The surgery went marvelously. We completely resurfaced the trochlea. I spent 8 weeks in a wheel chair as being on crutches caused major swelling. I was non weight bearing for the first 8 weeks and from that point we got to put 25% of my bodyweight on the leg and increased that weekly by 25%.

Currently, I am almost 11 weeks out. Throughout my rehab I have continued to train my upper body and the right leg. Now we are adding some calf work, hamstrings and hip flexion, extension, adduc, abduc etc. This week we added some 20 degrees of movement split squats with just my bodyweight. It is really cool to see how your muscles can respond so quickly. I guess 20 years of strength training has paid off. Actually, I haven't lost that much muscle tissue. The last 2 weeks alone we have closed the gap to a difference between quads of 3 cm. For symmetry reasons I think I'll need to be under 2 cm to compete at the pro level again.

My goals are to continue with my rehab till the end of this year. At that point I'll be cleared to squat and deadl. I will assess if I can make a run at it next fall. This rehab has been such a mental battle. Thats it for now. I'll update often. Enjoy your fitness journey.
MT

MTWNBF · 06-03-2008, 07:52 AM

Good morning! Today is an awesome day in my recovery. We are now 11 weeks out and I will be full weight bearing this week. In the next week we will be relearning how to transfer my weight to walk unaided. I am very happy with this. I am sick of these crutches. My knee is doing fabulous with very little pain other than with concentric extension. This morning I even performed a set of split squats with 75% of my bodyweight on the leg with no pain. I still lack alot of development around my knee in the medialis region. That will come back. If you guys need to contact me shoot me a PM or email. Have a great day and Stay Strong, Michael T

Blahzay128 · 06-03-2008, 08:25 AM

Wow man......great inspiration here....Best of luck in your journey to recovery....I'll definitely be checking out your thread. The forum serves as a great tool to pick you up when you are down....some great bodybuilders and people.

Gianni

MTWNBF · 06-03-2008, 08:53 AM

Thanks Blayzay!! This has been quite a journey. I remember thinking early on that I might not walk again. Quite a negative thought there but it did cross my mind. I thought about all the times I took walking for granted. I will never do that again EVER. However, my passion for bbing and building strength back is greater than ever. Enjoy the journey, Michael

MTWNBF · 06-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Today was an outstanding day in my rehab from the bone and cartilage transplant. We are now 11 weeks out and this week is marked by starting full weight bearing. In PT this morning we practiced walking with out crutches and then with the aid of 1 crutch. We also added lateral slides to our exercises. This morning before work I actually took my first steps with out crutches and it felt great. I had no pain in the lateral aspect where the graft was placed. I also performed some very shallow split squats and lunges. Very shallow is the best description there. So the goal for this week is to progress to walking without the aid of the 1 crutch and continue strengthening.

Rehab exercises now includes: Working on gait, shallow split squats, calf raises gradually moving to uni, shallow lunges, shallow horizontal leg presses. Of course, hamstring exercises.

After our rehab session this morning I can feel more swelling in the knee joint. Nothing too bad but the swelling is there. With this swelling I will make sure I get back on icing multiple times per day and keeping the compression wrap on.

At this point, I am extremely pleased to be 11 weeks out and almost walking with really no pain in the joint. I can?t wait to see what the next 12 weeks will bring. My muscles are responding quite well to what little I have done. I am not sure if I?ll ever be able to put a bar on my back again to squat but thats ok. As my good friend Warren says,?There is more than one way to skin a cat.?

Have a Great Day and Stay Strong,

Michael Thomas

MTWNBF · 09-29-2008, 07:31 AM

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/MTWNBF/

MTWNBF · 11-29-2008, 03:54 PM

I am back and possibly competing this spring in the WNBF. My knee is great.
Thanks to my doctor Dr. Matava. I am free to do what ever the knee will tolerate. No squats still. Thats ok. I am leaner than ever at this bodyweight.

Check out my 2 new vids filmed today. Don't pick on me for going light. I have had so many injuries I gotta be smart. lol

http://www.viddler.com/explore/michaelthomas/videos/3/

http://www.viddler.com/explore/michaelthomas/videos/2/

Have a Great Day and Many Blessings,
Michael

Devils · 11-29-2008, 04:52 PM

Hey, just dropping in to say good luck with your recovering and the competition.

AustrianOakJr · 11-30-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTWNBF

I am back and possibly competing this spring in the WNBF. My knee is great.
Thanks to my doctor Dr. Matava. I am free to do what ever the knee will tolerate. No squats still. Thats ok. I am leaner than ever at this bodyweight.

Check out my 2 new vids filmed today. Don't pick on me for going light. I have had so many injuries I gotta be smart. lol

http://www.viddler.com/explore/michaelthomas/videos/3/

http://www.viddler.com/explore/michaelthomas/videos/2/

Have a Great Day and Many Blessings,
Michael

First ive seen this thread. Crazy story and I have to give you a lot of credit for continuing in spite of so much adversity. Keep up the good work! ANd, it doesnt look like its a light workout to me. I know I couldnt keep up with that bench, thats for sure. You made it look easy.

MTWNBF · 11-30-2008, 09:48 AM

Wow, Thanks so much for the support. I have been very hesitant to participate in this forum. I appreciate the positive comments. I post often in my blog but Ill come here more often. The left leg is still behind but it is much better than before. I really want to make a run at competing next year. With the goal of being at the Worlds in November better than ever. Right now I am about 208 ish. When I won the USA I was about 180 ish on stage at the International I weighed in at 175 ish and probably stepped on stage at 178-180.

We took some body comp measurements from various sources and we get my Lean body mass at 178-184 ish. When coming down at extremely low levels of bodyfat I am sure I will lose a few pounds of muscle. Bottom line I think I could come in in the 180 range leaner than my USA 180. Not sure how this would play out but we will see.

I need to check the WNBF schedule to see what is on tap for this spring.

Thanks guys I appreciate the support,
Michael

MTWNBF · 11-30-2008, 10:36 AM

Here is my current routine. It goes against much bodybuilding splits but it has produced the best gains of my bodybuilding career. This also works very well with knee rehab which is now not rehab.

Bullet Points
** Train 4 days per week. M, W, F, Sa most weeks. Unless out of town.
** All 4 days are total body training.
** Choose 9 exercises that cover the whole body. Upper body, horiz and vert press, horiz and verti pull, elbow flexion and extension or press, Lower body, Leg press usually for high reps, Back extension or deadlift, Calf Raise
** Each Day I choose a different variation of the basic movement patterns. Like Mon incline press, Wed Flat Dumbbell Etc, etc,
** All workouts are completed in 45 minutes or less
** Vary rep ranges per workout. Monday 3 sets of 6-12, Wed 3 sets of 12-15, Friday 2 sets of 15-20ish, Saturday 2 sets of even higher reps.

I know this goes against bodybuilding split training which I like very well. But, after some discussion with some prominent experts in the field I thought I would give this a go. I have seen some dramatic results in myself and my clients. I can see where one would need to take a week off every 8 weeks or so. Also, what I will probably do is take an extra day off now and again.

This certainly isn't the only way to train. I just thought I would share it due to the great results it is producing.

Michael Thomas

bwelch1985 · 11-30-2008, 11:36 AM

very interesting split...I don't think I could recover quick enough to to hit legs 4 times per week...however I am on an upper-lower-upper-lower split and seem to recover pretty well from it....

Very inpiring story! And its great to have a PRO around the boards...hope you'll stick around and post more often!

MTWNBF · 11-30-2008, 12:50 PM

Yep it sounds strange to train this frequent. However, you are only doing a few sets per session. Keep in mind I am not squatting at all which leaves some recovery space. I would suggest just squatting every other session or something like that or still just once per week. Its all good. I like the upper lower thing really well too. Ill post up some diet stuff soon.

MT

MTWNBF · 12-01-2008, 07:53 AM

Don't look if you are weak stomached. The first pic represents my knee you can clearly see the defect in the trochlea. The second pic represents my knee drilled out to prepare for the graft to be implanted. The final pic is with the graft in place. Amazing stuff. I am so thankful for my great doctor who made it possible to continue doing what I was born to do.

AustrianOakJr · 12-01-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTWNBF

Don't look if you are weak stomached. The first pic represents my knee you can clearly see the defect in the trochlea. The second pic represents my knee drilled out to prepare for the graft to be implanted. The final pic is with the graft in place. Amazing stuff. I am so thankful for my great doctor who made it possible to continue doing what I was born to do.

Its unbelievable what they can do in surgery. Im an auto technician (and teacher), and its so funny to see how surgeons do things so similiar. Drills and dremels, saws, etc.

Those were great pics to look at as im eating my lunch too. He he he.

MTWNBF · 12-01-2008, 08:25 AM

The doc said he hammered pretty good to get the graft in place. Literally hammered. I told him to spare me the details. He is a super cool guy. Sending me the pics and all.

Does anyone have the official WNBF schedule for next year? I know there have been some issues with that. I want to make sure I can get me year scheduled.

MT

MTWNBF · 12-03-2008, 08:06 AM

Got up early this morning for my early workout. I usually get up about 340 am and am in the gym by about 430. I have my first appointment at 6 am. I am suffering from a little bit of a upper trap levator scap strain I suffered Monday. I slipped on the ice and tweaked my neck. No biggie though. I entered the gym ready to attack. Workout went great. I am stronger than ever. I just wish I could barbell squat. I think it will come in time. The knee just won't let me. I have been experimenting some with a wide stance squat and that may be good in a few months.

Gotta go,
Michael

stayfit2008 · 12-03-2008, 08:13 AM

I went a little wider in my squats this prep season,..no knee issues here, (knock on wood) I just wanted to work different muscles,..really feel it in the sartorius and glutes!!

MTWNBF · 12-03-2008, 04:01 PM

Yes, I may give them a try as soon. I doubt Ill be able to handle any real weight. We will see. However, I will not risk any thing. I am past the point in my career of training to support my ego. Injuries can end a career in a hurry.

Peace,
MT

MTWNBF · 12-05-2008, 07:15 AM

Just wanted to update everyone. Since the split of the NANBF with the WNBF our show here will no longer be affiliated with the NANBF. We will be promoting within the INBF and our show next year will be a WNBF Pro Qualifier. I am very excited to bring a Pro Qualifier to this area. The show will be in late September and will be awesome. We have a Great Venue. This will be our third year promoting a show here. If you want a chance to win your Pro card this is where you need to be. Email me at www.michael@michaelthomasonlineblog.com Or PM me.

Have a Great Day and Stay Strong,
Michael

**str8flexed** · 12-05-2008, 07:46 AM

Michael,
Sorry to hear about all you had to go through. Makes my pec repair seem like nothing. I'm glad you are back on track.

On a side note, I actually was in the audience at the show you won your pro card at (the USAs).

-Layne

MTWNBF · 12-05-2008, 10:38 AM

Yes, Layne injuries are so very tough. But, you can use them to make you better. Smarter.
I tell you I look at the video from the USA's and I was lucky to get out of that one with a win. Freakin talent in all classes.

One of my clients early on gave me some great advice. By the way I have so many great clients. She is a psychologist and I guess I was wheeling around in my wheel chair and she said, "You know Mike instead of focusing on what you can't do focus on what you can do today." That phrase stuck with me through all of those weeks of rehab. I focused each day on doing exactly what I could do. If that was just upper body work then I worked super hard at that. If that was just training my right leg then that is what I did.

Even now, I can't really train heavy on my repaired knee. I stay with high reps on leg presses. But by gosh I still train hard. I drive myself to improve even with high reps.

Good luck on your rehab Layne. I thank God I haven't torn anything. That has got to be tough. You will be better than ever soon. Stay focused on what you need to do!!

Michael

**str8flexed** · 12-05-2008, 01:53 PM

It was definitely tight. As I tell everyone though, conditioning is the great equalizer

You also had much better color and a lot of guys in that show wouldn't have known good color if it hit them square in the face LOL.

thanks for the well wishes, I'm doing great, my avatar pic was taken last week, I didn't let this thing get me down!

wnbfwarriorpro · 12-05-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTWNBF

Just wanted to update everyone. Since the split of the NANBF with the WNBF our show here will no longer be affiliated with the NANBF. We will be promoting within the INBF and our show next year will be a WNBF Pro Qualifier. I am very excited to bring a Pro Qualifier to this area. The show will be in late September and will be awesome. We have a Great Venue. This will be our third year promoting a show here. If you want a chance to win your Pro card this is where you need to be. Email me at www.michael@michaelthomasonlineblog.com Or PM me.

Have a Great Day and Stay Strong,
Michael

Michael,
I give you a ton of credit on a very inspiring story. Send me the info on your show and I will make sure it gets up on the INBF site.

Best always,
Rich Fitter

MTWNBF · 12-05-2008, 03:25 PM

Ill get the schedule done next week and get it to you. I am going to do my best to get back to the stage soon.

Thanks,
Michael

MTWNBF · 12-06-2008, 01:54 PM

A couple new videos from my site. www.michaelthomasonlineblog.com/members/

I squatted today for the first time in years. Really light but I got 50 reps. I also did 2 sets of 50 with 400 lbs on the leg press.

Pizza party tonight. Ill try not to eat too much. Gotta keep my weight under control. lol

Michael

MTWNBF · 12-08-2008, 08:17 AM

I messed up last week on the videos. They are up now www.michaelthomasonlineblog.com/members/

I am now 9 months out. This knee is getting better. I squatted very light on Saturday. I didn't suffer any ill affects. We will be adding them in every Saturday. We will keep the resistance very light. Controlling the reps and making sure no damage to graft site.

Have a Great Day,
Michael

MTWNBF · 12-11-2008, 12:33 PM

Right now, I am trying to decide if next year I will make it back. Training is going very, very well. With some pro shows next fall I still have plenty of time. My wife is a little concerned that I might push things too soon. I am going to keep my focus on adding some bbell squats every Sat and see how the knee responds. My doc said the bone is completely fused and accepted the graft. however, the articular cartilage is still probably in its recovery stages. Discussing this procedure with others who have had it they all say at about 18 months out is when you notice being 100%.

Yours Truly,
Michael

MTWNBF · 12-13-2008, 02:34 PM

Today I did my first set of squats since the transplant. I went very, very, light and hopefully I can go up on these soon. Really frustrating but at least I can do them kindof. I squatted really wide which seemed to be less stress on the knee. Check out my vids at www.michaelthomasonlineblog.com/members/

A long way to go before I can actually get a workout from squats.

I think I ended up doing something like 100 reps with that weight. Like my good friend Warren says. "More than one way to skin a cat." "If you can't go heavy just freaking kill it with reps."
Peace,
MT

bwelch1985 · 12-13-2008, 06:57 PM

Glad to hear you're back under the bar again! Must feel great..even using a fraction of the weight I'm sure you're capable of...

Question about form...why do you use such a wide, powerlifteresque stance? Does it feel better on the knee or do you just prefer to squat like that...