{allcanada} Predators' Shea Weber on recovery from knee surgery: 'Feeling good'

 

Six weeks after a dislocated kneecap forced him to miss the Predators' final four playoff games, defenseman Shea Weber's recovery is progressing as planned.

"Knee's feeling good," Weber said during a phone interview from British Columbia on Wednesday. "Just taking it day by day and following the protocol and getting better each day."

Weber suffered the injury during Game 2 of Nashville's first-round playoff series against Chicago on April 17. As Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad closed in on him by the end boards in the Predators' defensive zone, Weber's right leg buckled as he absorbed the contact. Without their multi-talented captain, the Predators struggled to neutralize the Blackhawks' forwards and eventually were ousted in six games.

He underwent surgery shortly afterward and was given an estimated recovery time line of four to six weeks.

"Everything's moving along as it should be," Weber said. "I've been in contact obviously with the guys in Nashville and the surgeon, and everything seems to be on schedule."

It was the typically harmless and routine nature of the injury-causing play that frustrated Weber when he first addressed it during the Predators' end-of-season media availability last month. That day, Weber spoke to reporters while propping himself up with two crutches. Within two weeks, he was able to walk without them.

Weber's normal offseason training regimen hasn't been affected by his rehabilitation, which he said has focused on re-establishing "flexion, extension and mobility" in his knee. Next comes rebuilding strength.

"I spend a lot of time in the gym every day during the week," Weber said. "I'll go in there and work out and obviously try to improve on weaknesses and also improve on some of my strengths. ... I can't do as much lower-body right now, but I'm still doing cardiovascular stuff, like I still ride the bike, use the rowing machine and stair stepper and all that stuff. It's just more strength-wise; it's probably more upper-body."

One of six NHL defensemen to average at least 26 minutes of ice time per game during the regular season, Weber said that he should be fully cleared "hopefully soon." He doesn't expect his knee to hinder him by the time the Predators reconvene in September to prepare for next season.

"Just going to obviously try to find out from the doctor and see what he thinks, and if it's ready to go, then we'll go when he says it is," Weber said. "I think there's no question that I should be ready for training camp."

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html