Expert: David Daley - 9/6/2004

Question
Dear David,
         I´m really sorry about what has happened with "Frances".  I hope that the hurricane won´t leave bigger destroys than those seen on TV.  And I hope that you are O.K. now.  
         I´m from Argentina, so I speak Spanish.  Bow-legged: I looked that word up in the dictionary, and now I can confirm you that I am a bow-legged man.  But I DON´T suffer from any kind of inflamation o arthritic disease.  Although I´m just bow legged, I´m afraid that the effort that I have to make for the practise can affect me.  For eg., if I have to make a throwing movement, I think that my arm, or hands can be affected because of my hyperlaxity of all of my tendons.  The proof of it is my genu varum, and for eg. I can extend my third phalanx of my finger in a 90 degree angle over my second phalanx of the same finger of my hand.  Tell the doctors you are going to ask, that neither the Marfan Syndrome nor the Ehlers-Danlos I suffer from.  So my only problem is to prevent possible injuries because of my hyperlaxity, but not because actual limitations.  Thank you for answering this question.

C.  Ezequiel Lema Carrión
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Followup To
Question -
I´m 25 years old.  I have never practised any martial art.  Now I have already finished my professional career, but that means that over 6 years I didn´t play any sport.  Now, I´m walking at least 3 kilometres everyday.  I´m planning to start sporting in a gym trainning center with complement machines.  But my final intention is to start with judo.  The problem is that I have some kind of hiperlaxitude of my tendons and the position of my legs and knees seem to be like brachets < >.  In Medicine, we call this "genu varum".  I asked for information to some doctors specialized in traumathology, but they didn´t know the effort that the judo demands so they wasn´t able to answer me correctly.  Finally, my question is:  What about starting with judo now considering my genu varum?  Is it dangerous to start at this moment?  Do you recommend me to start first with making stronger my muscles and then with this sport?  Any kind of information will be welcomed.

     Yours sincerely,
     Christián Ezequiel Lema Carrión-M.D. (Mr.)

Answer -
Hi Ezequiel

Sorry about the delay. I live in Florida and I just got my power back on after the hurricane.

I will have to do some research on your question. I know a couple doctors that will help me. I should be back with you tomorrow or Wednesday. I don't want to give you bad information. From what you tell me, you are bow legged? is that correct? Answer me this. Is there any inflammation or arthritic involved? Get back to me as soon as you can so I can research it more.


Answer
Hi Ezequiel

Every doctor I called said the same thing. They could not make a judgment without seeing you and examining you.
I would love to give you a positive response but I am unable.
The only thing I have is experience with is my own bowlegged condition. I eventually had both knees replaced.
If I were you, I would go to a Judo class and talk to the instructor. He can show you the position your body will be in when you fall.
Then go to a doctor and tell him what you want to do. You can show him what the instructor showed you.
If you can do knee bends with weights of about 50-70 lbs and Jump up and down for about 2 minutes without stopping because of pain and Walk or jog for a respectable amount of time, then I would think your chances would be good to start Judo.
But! I cannot tell you it would be ok to take judo. You MUST see a doctor.
Look for a Chiropractor with "sport medicine" as a major.
I am sorry that I cannot be more positive.
Good luck and if I can help more, let me know.
David