Knee Surgery & Rehab for Cycling

bornagaincycler

I am undergoing surgery for torn medial cartilage & a partial tear of the medial ligament in my left knee. Date is January 15th. Does anyone out there have experience of this surgery & what rehab protocols did you follow?? How quickly can I get back on the bike, whether its on the gym bike, turbo trainer, or outdoors in good weather?? I've been a bit lazy & inactive lately due to the injury so also have some weight to get rid of. Need to work hard I think. Although I had an ACL reconstruction in 2006 on the other knee, you tend to forget what happened & in any case this is a different injury. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

Monty Dog

I know a few people who have successfully re-habbed from a knee op through cycling - importantly, seek your consultants advise to ensure you don't put additional strain on the knee during the recovery phase. Static bike / turbo is going to be best at start and probably clips and straps to minimise twisting load on medial ligament. Low gear / spinning to start off too.

izza

I have had ACL reconstruction and then repairs of my cartilages on both knees.

On the second one, I was riding a 4 day, charity L2P three months later. My consultant told me that the more rest I gave it in the first 4-6 weeks the quicker I could ramp up the exercise after that (static gym bike then road bike). Physio also told me to get some cohesive tape so that as I built up the exercise I needed to help reduce swelling as much as possible.

Followed their advice to the letter and completed ride with no issue.

raymondo60

I too had ACL reconstruction in November 2 years ago. Following surgeon's advice was crucial, but I was back on Turbo Trainer within 4 weeks, just gentle spinning, and back on road bike after another 2 weeks, again, taking it easy. By May of the following year I was back cycling as much and as hard as I'd ever done before, and have felt no discomfort or loss of strength or mobility since. I have pretty much given up running and any 'impact' exercise, but replaced that with regular swimming. There's an old saying that goes 'Once you get a 'knee' (injury) you'll always have a 'knee', and I am now always conscious of that, but it hasn't taken anything away from my commitment or enjoyment of cycling. Wish you well and good luck.

d87heaven

I'm a sports therapist and have just had an arthroscopy. For best outcome get an ems machine to stop muscle waste, get a cryocuff for icing post op. Some physios will hire these. As soon as the bandage comes off get the leg moving and start strengthening the quads. If you can't move the leg yourself get the other half to assist. Get on the bike and then the pedal as far as you can, aim to increase the range each day. Start doing squats, little dips then go a bit further every few days. Wall squats with a stability ball are good.