Collier11
6/29/2007, 12:06 PM
This article makes me happy!
Reynolds' Rehab Going Well
Courtesy: SoonerSports.co
Release: 06/29/2007
OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds is beaming over his recovery from LCL surgery.
View larger Courtesy: SoonerSports.com
OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds is beaming over his recovery from LCL surgery.
NORMAN, Okla. -- The gray skies of this Oklahoma summer contradict the mood surrounding Ryan Reynolds’ recovery from knee surgery.
The Oklahoma linebacker says, “It doesn’t even feel like I injured it,” and Jim Hillis, OU’s Coordinator of Rehabilitation says, “The surgery went extremely well and right now he’s as good as he could possibly be.”
That’s music to the ears of Sooner defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables, who often gushes over Reynolds’ ability and smarts. It appears that when August rolls around, Venables will have full access to this sophomore, who is poised for a breakout season on the weak side after redshirting in 2006.
The outlook was different on March 28 when Reynolds suffered a somewhat uncommon tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. He underwent surgery on April 3.
Given the fact that the Las Vegas native had undergone reconstructive surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the previous spring and missed the 2006 season, he could have been forgiven for losing heart.
He didn’t.
“My first thought was really on just the whole process of rehabilitation,” he said. “I didn’t get down at all. I had a goal to get back and that really motivated me.”
Reynolds said the LCL tear actually hurt a lot more than the ACL, even though the latter is a more severe injury.
“The LCL is a very repairable injury,” Hillis pointed out. “It’s not common, but it’s easier to repair (than an ACL tear).”
Beginning the week of July 1, Reynolds, who has been working in the weight room and running straight-line drills, will get the green light to run laterally and make cuts. In recovery from knee surgery, that is the last hurdle.
“I feel like I am way ahead of schedule,” he said. “The ACL recovery was a lot more difficult. This is night and day. I feel like I will be just as fast as I was before, but I’m not in shape yet. That will take about a month.”
Reynolds’ optimism about a quick return is fueled by the fact that he also watched his waist line more closely during this particular rehabilitation. Last summer, the weight on his 6-foot-2 frame ballooned to 248 pounds. Now he’s around 230 and he hopes to play at 235.
“I didn’t have to wait as long to start my rehab this time, but I also took a lot better care of myself this time,” he confessed. “I was able to do more cardio and I was doing leg curls and hip flexors with ankle weights in my first week back.”
Reynolds is still working out out twice per day with Hillis. When he’s not working out, he’s spending time in the film room.
“There is nothing like being out there, but I’ve learned a lot from watching practice and film,” he said. “You can pick up a lot of little things and you get a better idea of your role on the defense when you get a better feel for what everybody else is doing. I think I am a much better student of the game now.”
That’s a mouthful for someone that was already noted for his heady play. Now that it appears he has two good knees to go with that knowledge, Reynolds looks like a player that could have significant impact on the 2007 Sooner defense.
Reynolds' Rehab Going Well
Courtesy: SoonerSports.co
Release: 06/29/2007
OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds is beaming over his recovery from LCL surgery.
View larger Courtesy: SoonerSports.com
OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds is beaming over his recovery from LCL surgery.
NORMAN, Okla. -- The gray skies of this Oklahoma summer contradict the mood surrounding Ryan Reynolds’ recovery from knee surgery.
The Oklahoma linebacker says, “It doesn’t even feel like I injured it,” and Jim Hillis, OU’s Coordinator of Rehabilitation says, “The surgery went extremely well and right now he’s as good as he could possibly be.”
That’s music to the ears of Sooner defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables, who often gushes over Reynolds’ ability and smarts. It appears that when August rolls around, Venables will have full access to this sophomore, who is poised for a breakout season on the weak side after redshirting in 2006.
The outlook was different on March 28 when Reynolds suffered a somewhat uncommon tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. He underwent surgery on April 3.
Given the fact that the Las Vegas native had undergone reconstructive surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the previous spring and missed the 2006 season, he could have been forgiven for losing heart.
He didn’t.
“My first thought was really on just the whole process of rehabilitation,” he said. “I didn’t get down at all. I had a goal to get back and that really motivated me.”
Reynolds said the LCL tear actually hurt a lot more than the ACL, even though the latter is a more severe injury.
“The LCL is a very repairable injury,” Hillis pointed out. “It’s not common, but it’s easier to repair (than an ACL tear).”
Beginning the week of July 1, Reynolds, who has been working in the weight room and running straight-line drills, will get the green light to run laterally and make cuts. In recovery from knee surgery, that is the last hurdle.
“I feel like I am way ahead of schedule,” he said. “The ACL recovery was a lot more difficult. This is night and day. I feel like I will be just as fast as I was before, but I’m not in shape yet. That will take about a month.”
Reynolds’ optimism about a quick return is fueled by the fact that he also watched his waist line more closely during this particular rehabilitation. Last summer, the weight on his 6-foot-2 frame ballooned to 248 pounds. Now he’s around 230 and he hopes to play at 235.
“I didn’t have to wait as long to start my rehab this time, but I also took a lot better care of myself this time,” he confessed. “I was able to do more cardio and I was doing leg curls and hip flexors with ankle weights in my first week back.”
Reynolds is still working out out twice per day with Hillis. When he’s not working out, he’s spending time in the film room.
“There is nothing like being out there, but I’ve learned a lot from watching practice and film,” he said. “You can pick up a lot of little things and you get a better idea of your role on the defense when you get a better feel for what everybody else is doing. I think I am a much better student of the game now.”
That’s a mouthful for someone that was already noted for his heady play. Now that it appears he has two good knees to go with that knowledge, Reynolds looks like a player that could have significant impact on the 2007 Sooner defense.