Torn Meniscus – Recovery – Time to Back on Saddle

[foldies4ever]

Hello Everyone,

I recently just found out that I have a torn meniscus. The Dr. is going to repair in about 3 weeks, after which I should have a relatively short rehab stint of 4-6 weeks. This is my 2nd knee surgery, the first was a full ACL reconstruction and Microfracture.

My concern is when and should I return to biking. I bike to work everyday. I ride a folding bike which is very upright. I also have a single speed bike that I ride longer distances. It’s the Kona Paddywagon. I’ve been told that regular bikes put a lot of pressure on the knee, more-so than recumbent bikes, but I don’t see myself riding a recumbent bike.

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has returned to biking after major knee surgery and what are some precautions I should take. Does regular daily biking put too much stress on the knee? Should I trade in my single speed for a bike with easier gears for uphill climbing?

Thanks

Topic

[Dickie]

Having never suffered a severe knee injury I can’t offer any advice other than to say ask the right folks. You will get lots of great info here, but at the end of the day your physicians and possibly a really qualified bike fitter will probably provide the best advice. Wishing you all the best with the recovery and hope to see you riding again soon.

[dasgeh]

I had a torn minicus in high school. I had arthroscopic surgery to repair. It was not major knee surgery, so I don’t know if you’re having something different done. I was out patient, back on the basketball team in 6 weeks.

Cycling was a major component of my physical therapy — albeit the stationary bike (this was before I discovered transportational cycling, though while I was living in Charlotte, so probably a good thing). I imagine the right kind of cycling will be good for you, and that the physical therapists will be able to help. I also imagine that starting slow (both in speed and distance) and getting some gears will be important. I know nothing about folding bikes, so I have no idea whether that would be a bad idea. I do remember the PT stationary bikes were pretty upright.

[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, F4E. I think you’ve probably got all the experience you need to answer your own question. I’ve also had a complete ACL reconstruction (autopatellar graft) and a subsequent scope to deal with extra meniscus stuff. The former was much much tougher than the later to deal with. The scope isn’t nearly as invasive, and I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be back on the bike within the week.

I sort of echo the pointer towards your physician, above. But realize that some physicians don’t entirely understand (care) about the desires of active people to remain active. So get one that really gets your desire to get back on the bike. And even better, get a PT person that does, too. If you see a lot of older people in the waiting room? Go elsewhere. (I’m sure I’ll get it for that.)

You might find that you have different pedal needs after this. I swapped out to Speedplay Frogs for a good long while after (enormous float, which made it easier on the knees). The fitter recommendation is a very good one (and even better if you can get it covered via insurance!).

Good luck!

[krazygl00]

I have a torn meniscus also. I went to Commonwealth Orthopaedic and they had me get an MRI, full deal workup. The doctor confirmed that yes it was a tear (4cm I think) and he actually said he didn’t know how I wasn’t in a lot more pain. He recommended surgery, but stressed that I could schedule it when I wanted it, and of course if the pain got a lot worse I would want to schedule it ASAFP. I also talked to him about recovery, and being sports oriented (he is a big runner) he said torn meniscus usually has a very full recovery, and that cycling in particular was ideal. I told him there was a significant cash reward in it for him if he would “prescribe” a minimum weekly mileage for me (Honey, it’s not me, it’s doctor’s orders…I HAVE to ride!); he didn’t bite

So I was all prepared to do surgery (arthroscopic). I have the benefit of having a two cousins and an uncle who are renowned orthopaedic surgeons, so I ran my situation past them and they confirmed I should be able to ride in only a few days and recover back to 100% within just a few weeks.

Then it…umm…got better. Yeah, don’t ask me how, cause I certainly don’t know. All I know is that my knee now feels fine, so I’m not in a rush to get the surgery anytime soon.

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[Certifried]

2 weeks ago, I was pretty sure I had torn my meniscus. All the symptoms I was experiencing matched. Unfortunately, I had switched jobs and my benefits don’t kick in right away (they start Saturday, the 1st, yay!). So, I don’t have an official diagnosis, but have definitely had pain in the knee. I have been following all the things that have been recommended, R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) specifically. I’ve also had other injuries in the past; herniated discs, arthritis in the spine. I can 100% guarantee you that the closer you listen to your doctors and the physical therapists, the faster and more fully you’ll recover.

[KLizotte]

I’ve never had knee problems (knock on wood) but will only caution you to do lots of research online of medical journals and various medical advice resources for your condition before making any major decisions. I’ve often been misdiagnosed by orthos for other medical problems in the past, including a failure to recognize two stress fractures.

Last month the first ortho I went to for a broken thumb misdiagnosed the type of fracture; then after he performed a closed reduction (pushing the bones together with his fingers) he said the the remaining misalignment was “good enough”, that I’d have a noticeable bump for the rest of my life, and that no surgery was needed.

I saw the x-ray after the reduction and his story didn’t sit right with me so I researched thumb fractures and found out that it wasn’t a Bennett’s fracture and that anything more than a 2 millimeter misalignment is unacceptable and will likely cause arthritis in the future. Yikes!

I found another ortho who took out a protractor and showed me that the alignment was off by 40%(!) and that yes, arthritis was a real concern if I didn’t get it fixed. His story matched the extensive reading I had done online so I decided to follow his recommendation to have a simple outpatient procedure to re-align the bones. The x-rays now look great and I’m healing fine.

Good luck!

[foldies4ever]

thanks for response. pretty much what I was thinking.

[Author]

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