Strictly’s Karen Hauer reveals major life changes after serious knee injury

Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Karen Hauer has updated fans on her devastating knee injury which forced her to miss out on the BBC dance show's final group number of the series.

The star narrowly avoided undergoing surgery and has since overhauled her lifestyle by quitting alcohol and allowing her body time to heal.

Updating fans on how she's doing, Karen said: “Week four of my knee rehab program. Feeling stronger, focused and more determined than ever.

“No alcohol, more sleep, good food, more recovery time, amazing physio.”

She added: “I went to physio this morning so I’m feeling pretty pumped.

“All going really well with my knees. I’m really, really happy and thankful and grateful to my body for slowly recuperating.”

Karen Hauer has been forced to take it slow to allow her knee to heal (karenhauer/Instagram)

Karen said it was the first time she'd missed a final in a decade and watched the show on TV at home (karenhauer/Instagram)

The 39-year-old, was partnered with actor Greg Wise last series.

And in her latest post she shared her enviable toned abs, posed in her work out gear, as she reminds herself why she is taking a break for her recovery.

She penned: "Grateful to my body. My machine. For showing me that if I slow down and take care of it at my own pace,
it will respond positively."

At the time of the injury she told fans on Instagram she had torn a muscle in her knee.

She explained: “So there’s a little bit of a tear on my meniscus and then there’s also a little cartilage flap behind my knee but they’re very minor so instead of an op I got a knee injection so that’s good news."

Karen takes in a physio session which left her feeling 'pumped' (karenhauer/Instagram)

And although she didn't have to go under the knife, her phobia of needles proved a tough task for boyfriend Jordan Jones.

She continued: “I mean, I am terrified of injections and needles. I hate needles so I’m glad that it happened already.

“I pretty much bit off Jordan’s jacket, but at least I’m not going into surgery which is good for now.”

“I need to rest for a couple of days and then I start rehab on Monday."

Karen admitted her schedule is much lighter these days as she added: “Strengthening, conditioning which is something that I’m really looking forward to. This is very new to me. I’m laying in bed and it’s almost 10am but it’ll be for my own good.”