Further knee damage while waiting for op?

Jamkite
Jamkite Posts: 8
edited May 2011 in Training, fitness and health
Hi there,

I've got a 3 month wait for an operation on my knee (meniscus tear).
I average around 85 miles a week and last Sunday I did 25 miles at a nice easy pace as I felt a few twinges.

Does anybody know if I can cause further damage to it by carrying on with the riding up until the op?

Thanks

Comments

  • d87heaven
    d87heaven Posts: 348
    Its one for a physio or your consultant to answer I would say. BUT depending on the tear it may come off and lock the knee, or it may not. Personally I would go for strengthening exercise to give your leg a head start post op.
    Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,443
    d87heaven wrote:
    Its one for a physio or your consultant to answer I would say. BUT depending on the tear it may come off and lock the knee, or it may not. Personally I would go for strengthening exercise to give your leg a head start post op.
    I injured my knee playing badminton - a bucket-handle tear of the meniscus was suspected, and the consultant said I could have an arthroscopy to try to put it right. In the meantime I went for the strengthening option (cycling), having given up badminton as the cause of my problems. In the end I opted not to have the operation as the knee seems to be getting more and more stable. Having said that, at no time has it threatened to lock up. (The two problems with it post-injury were that immediately after the injury I couldn't bend my knee fully, and it very occasionally feels like it clicks out of place and in again.)

    On the whole I think cycling is a fairly good exercise for the knees, but certainly, if you are unsure in your case, I'd ask the doctor or consultant.
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  • paddlemyowncanoe
    paddlemyowncanoe Posts: 265
    Cycling loads are too low to do damage and are higher enough to improve quads tone and bulk. Stop if it hurts or is swollen though.
  • Pep
    Pep Posts: 501
    Yes.
  • huuregeil
    huuregeil Posts: 780
    Proceed with caution, but the stronger you are going into the op, the quicker your rehab. Pre-op conditioning is definitely a good thing - exactly what you should be doing is something for your physio/consultant to answer.,
  • Shaun20
    Shaun20 Posts: 218
    I had a tear removed November 09, only to find out it still remained or was re torn in July 2010. I would recommend trying to get referred to a physio programme to strengthen your leg, hips etc. Doing this you may find you improve significantly and can avoid surgery, if not then your control and strength will be improved resulting in a faster recovery post op.

    Given my experience the physio has been the most beneficial I attend an NHS class one hour a week (luckily they are really helpful and know their stuff, but I realise this is not the case everywhere). Although I am still in pain it has reduced a small amount to allow me to cycle again although still limited. Try to stay as active as possible.

    As for further damage it is hard to say but cycling is generally good for strengthening and fitness so I would continue to ride but take it easy.
  • d87heaven
    d87heaven Posts: 348
    To be honest without knowing the full extent of the tear the advice you are getting is subjective at best. The key for me are the words 'i feel the odd twinge' . If anyhting hurts its telling you one thing.....it isn't happy. Perhaps ease off the milage or change the saddle position to take the load of the knee. Personally i would go see a physio and get a strengthening programme in place specifically targetting the surrounding muscles , you only have one set of knees. What will you lose by cycling less/not all for those 3 months?
    Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel
  • Lightning
    Lightning Posts: 360
    I had that same injury a few years ago and the doctor told me to stop doing anything like running, cycling, jumping, etc because it does further damage and if the tear is not so bad they might be able to suture it instead of removing it.

    I was on a 1 month wait only and did as the doctor said and he managed to suture instead of removing. Soccer players and such just get it removed to be able to play the following weekend but it's much better to have it sutured and do the rehab (mine took 1 month), especially in a sport like cycling. Sure I lost some months of training but it was worth it considering the problems you can have later without one.
  • Jamkite
    Jamkite Posts: 8
    Thanks everyone for your time, advice & comments. It is very much appreciated. :D

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