Unable to ride for how long? Aaaargh!

Johnny Napalm

I had a knee cartilage op last week, which has obviously meant that I'm off the bike for a while.

I'm hoping to get back on the bike within a few weeks, but it's so frustrating. The physiotherapist has mentioned that I should try to ride my bike, on the flat, for no more than five minutes this weekend.

While I'm happy that I can do this, it'll also be torture knowing the limitations. It's like taking an alcoholic into a pub and asking him to have a sip of alcohol and then leave!

I suppose it's a start, and will lead to full recovery. It's also the perfect excuse to get my forks serviced...although I'm not looking forward to the approx. £100.00 cost! :?

The Northern Monkey

took me 6 weeks after an arthroscopy and damaged cartilage removal before I started fitness training for rugby again

stubs

When I had my knee cleaned out I was advised to get a turbo trainer put it on the lowest resistance setting and just gently turn the pedals for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. I had to do this for a week then 2x 10 mins for a week. then 2x20. Then after 4 weeks I was allowed on the road gently building up the distance. Took 8 weeks before I was able to go offroad.

Sorry mate but if you want to avoid problems in the future your gonna have to be patient

Johnny Napalm

Thanks, Bigben and Stubs.

I know I'll have to be patient and do everything the correct way, otherwise it will only delay my recovery. I'll try the bike for 5mins. this weekend, and see how it feels.

As a matter of interest, how long were you off work? I was at home all last week, but I worked from home every day, so I didn't take any sick leave. I'm planning on returning to the office Monday. However, I can't imagine driving at the moment, so that might be a problem.

I've took the support and dressing off today, and I've been walking on it since the day I left hospital, and I'm trying to walk a little further every day, without pushing it too far.

Raymondavalon

stubs wrote:

When I had my knee cleaned out I was advised to get a turbo trainer put it on the lowest resistance setting and just gently turn the pedals for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. I had to do this for a week then 2x 10 mins for a week. then 2x20. Then after 4 weeks I was allowed on the road gently building up the distance. Took 8 weeks before I was able to go offroad.

Sorry mate but if you want to avoid problems in the future your gonna have to be patient

I was going to suggest a turbo trainer..

Johnny Napalm I feel your pain
I was off the bike from 27 April until 27 July last year through a leg injury. I was as frustrated as a caged tiger.
Alas, you'll be up and pedaling in no time, the weeks seem to drag, but the m moment you're back in the saddle, the time will seem like it passed in a flash

Get well soon...

Johnny Napalm

Thanks, Raymond.

I've considered a turbo trainer in the past, but never got one. I suppose now is the perfect time.

Ideally, I would not like to spend a fortune, but are the lower end trainers any good...such as -

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/mag-elastogel-53433640/

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/riva-tesla-trainer-id42058.html

Both of these are in stock locally, so I could get one of these today.[/url]

jamieh5463

DONT DO IT!! get rollers instead, they are far less monotonous (you can move bike from side to side etc)
http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_ ... ts_id=1550
they are only £97 on this website because you get 10% off all orders over £100.

Johnny Napalm

DONT DO IT!! get rollers instead

I'm not too sure that'd be such a good idea in my current state...might end up doing myself another injury! :shock:

stubs

I have a basic Elite Mag Lite with 5 settings cant remember how much it cost but around £90ish from Argos 4 years ago.

It only gets used when the weather is cruddy I set it up in the garage put a DVD in the laptop and spin away to keep my fitness up. You can get really fancy versions with variable resistance and remote controls but really all you need it for is to get your knee moving and get the blood flowing.

Plus you might spend a mint and absolutely loathe it. If thats the case give me a shout I fancy a cheap upgrade

Mancunianfightingcat

Why not service your forks yourself? If you're off the bike then there's no rush and you might find it therapeutic. I've just recently stripped a set of 6 year old Fox forks down and changed the seals. It's the first time they've ever had any TLC and the bushes and internals are still in fine order. I think £100 to have Mojo or TFT service them is a bit of waste (unless they're knackered!)

Hope your knee recovers in quick time, I broke my collar bone 2 years ago and hated not being able to ride!

Johnny Napalm

all you need it for is to get your knee moving and get the blood flowing

Got myself a 'Tacx Speedmatic Magnetic Trainer' in the sale for £83.00 this afternoon, so I will now be in a much better postion to improve my recovery.

To be honest, I have experienced very little pain or discomfort up to this point, however, my knee is certainly letting me know it's there today. I suppose I've been lucky not to have had any pain up to now. Today is the first day without my support bandage, so I wonder if that might be one of the reasons for the pain.

Why not service your forks yourself?

Well, I've thought about it, but it's something I've never done before. The bike is coming up to it's first birthday, so the forks are in excellent condition...I hope!

dave_hill

Johnny Napalm wrote:

I'm hoping to get back on the bike within a few weeks, but it's so frustrating. The physiotherapist has mentioned that I should try to ride my bike, on the flat, for no more than five minutes this weekend.

To be honest, I'd say that the best advice would be to do as your physio says. After all, they're the professional. Allegedly.

That said, do what's comfortable. If you feel that you can go a little longer, do it. Only you know how it feels. Obviously don't ride for ten minutes and then have youre leg explode, it makes getting home awkward.

Recovery from stuff like this slow. A mate of mine at work had a knee op (interior cruciate ligament) and it took him 18 months to get signed off...

Johnny Napalm

To be honest, I'd say that the best advice would be to do as your physio says. After all, they're the professional.

I know what you mean, Dave.

Believe me, as frustrated as I am, I'm certainly not going to rush this. Now that I have a turbotrainer I'll be able to do this the correct way. As soon as the physio was made aware I'm a cyclist, one of the the first things she mentioned was the benefits of a turbotrainer.

I've read that turbotrainers are notorious for wearing out normal tyres, and that specific turbotrainer tyres are recommended. What I might do for now, is put on a slick tyre and see how that goes. It's not like I'm going to have to keep swapping the tyre as I won't actually be going out on the bike for a few weeks.

The wife used to go biking with me before we had our first son, and now that we also have 5 month old twin boys, the prospect of her getting out on a bike nowadays is slim. But, now that I have the turbotrainer, she is intending to use it to help her get back into shape. Hell, I might even buy a cheap hardtail just for the turbotrainer use, so I wont' have to be constantly swapping tyres/wheels in future. It'll save the extra wear and tear on my good bike! ;-)

stubs

This is the tyre that I use on the turbo

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Continental_City_Ride_MTB_Tyre/5360008049/

Its pretty quiet and has lasted well and on the road they are pretty quick tyres with punture resistant casing so are good for road use as well

Johnny Napalm

Cheers, Stubs! I'll give that a go.

I'm planning on going back to the office tomorrow, but I don't know whether to work from home for a few more days just to ensure that I can exercise, ice and rest it regularly.

ngomwamba

Turbotrainers can also get damn annoying once you start to realise how vulnerable they make you to punctures-I sold mine on ebay last year after gettin 5 in one week!

stubs

How do you get a puncture riding a turbo trainer :?

Johnny Napalm

How do you get a puncture riding a turbo trainer

I was about to ask the same question! :shock:

gcwebbyuk

I used to use Tioga city slicker tyres on my old turbo trainer - may still have them somewhere.

How is the turbo trainer you bought? The one I had years ago was a very simple one, cant remember make/model - but it simply had a roller with a fan, no resistance control etc.