Training & Nutrition - Knee injury while cycling

I had a nasty spill today after my water bottle slipped out of my hand and dropped to the ground.

The bottle rolled under the front of my back tire and caused it to slide out from under me....unfortunately, my foot got caught in the spokes so as the bike skidded and fell one way, I fell the other way and my knee got wrenched very awkwardly. The pain immediately thereafter was absolutely horrible. I was literally in tears. Fortunately, a group of people walking behind me witnessed the accident and came to my assistance. They called the ambulance for me as it initially appeared that my knee might be displaced. It turned out to be damaged ligaments.

Does anybody know how long ligaments usually take to heal ? I won't be able to cycle for a few days now but can cycling aggravate a previously damaged ligament? It is now swollen to twice it's normal size but at least the swelling has come down since this AM.

Justen

Not sure about knee ligaments but I'm going through this myself with my elbow. I saw the Ortho on monday and he's saying 2-3 more weeks off the bike (my accident was 2 wks ago) and 12-14 weeks for complete healing. If I tore a ligament then I may have to have surgery.

I saw a physical therapist today and she started me on some strengthening excerises and spelled out specifically what I can and can't do.

So, I guess my advice is to rest, elevate your leg and ice. If it's not better soon then I would seek professional advice.

This problem is also known as "golfer's elbow" and I hate golf!

Good luck!

Kathi

I would let an orthopedist or a doc check you out. It all depends on which ligaments, lateral collateral, medial collateral, ACL,PCL, or a meniscus injury. Wether they were partially torn, just stretched or completely torn. It's going to be hard to diagnose in the first week of injury due to all the swelling. If an ER doc saw you, that's fine, but best to have a followup with a physician within a week of the injury for a better assessment. It's really hard to know for sure the first day of an injury due to all the soft tissue swelling. So the answer is anywhere froom a few weeks to months depending on the above!

Definitely go see a doctor and get the knee evaluated. Just reading your account makes my knees hurt. Truly a freak accident - taken down by your own water bottle! I guarantee from now on, I'll remember your tale every time I slide a bottle back into its cage.

Hopefully all you'll need is a little time to heal your knee and your pride. Let us know what the doctor says.

Originally posted by supcom
Definitely go see a doctor and get the knee evaluated. Just reading your account makes my knees hurt. Truly a freak accident - taken down by your own water bottle! I guarantee from now on, I'll remember your tale every time I slide a bottle back into its cage.

Hopefully all you'll need is a little time to heal your knee and your pride. Let us know what the doctor says.

It was totally a freak accident. So weird. I have never had this happen before. I felt like such a clumsy clod after but the reason it was so slippery (I think) is because I had put ice in both bottles before I left home so the condensation probably made it more slippery than it would be otherwise.

And torquing my knee in that wheel..damn..that hurt !!

I will go and see the doctor tomorrow...the swelling has still not gone down at all. It's still twice the size it should be - even though I have been icing it according to the ER docs instructions and keeping it rested and elevated.

No cycling for me for a few days I
guess :-(

Thanks for your note !

Justen

There seem to be a few crashes among forum members right now. I hope you heal soon. I'm also of the go and see a doctor group (even though I haven't yet done that for my shoulder). The thing you need to be most wary of with knee injuries is coming back too soon afterward. I know, I made this mistake with my knee injury of '97 (not caused by a fall, but painful nevertheless).

Because the knee is used so much in cycling, I'd advocate resting it completely until there is no pain, and start off slowly when you do comeback (i.e. test it out on a couple of easier rides) just to make sure it is 100%.

Originally posted by Chris L
There seem to be a few crashes among forum members right now. I hope you heal soon. I'm also of the go and see a doctor group (even though I haven't yet done that for my shoulder). The thing you need to be most wary of with knee injuries is coming back too soon afterward. I know, I made this mistake with my knee injury of '97 (not caused by a fall, but painful nevertheless).


:o Hey Chris... Practise what you preach. This is not advice. This is an order! Jean's already alerted you to the problems of frozen shoulder joints. Believe me, an unattended shoulder injury can linger for years. I got over mine (and no, I didn't see a doctor) after three years, and now I'm dreading the thought that one day I will wake up and be unable to move it.

Get that phone, dial the number now, and go see the doctor! I want to see you down here in Hobart in December fully functioning. You can't climb hills (especially ours) with a dud shoulder.

As to knees, our Aussie Rules footballers seem to suffer serious knee injuries at an accelerated rate each season. ACL, PCLs, jarring, patella dislocation... you name, Australia Rules has it all. A player going down with a serious knee injury usually requires surgery and will be out of the game for six months.

Justen, listen to the good doc hungry. And make sure you report back here with the results from your own doctor's appointment. OK?

Originally posted by Rowan

Justen, listen to the good doc hungry. And make sure you report back here with the results from your own doctor's appointment. OK?

I am definetely going to the doc's today.
It is 3 AM here and I have had a rough night. The pain in my knee is horrible. I have iced it, had it elevated etc etc but have been waking up on and off all night with this searing pain and a on/off numbness in my foot. I had to get up to get an advil and get the ice pak as I have been laying down for the past 7 hours.
It did not hurt this much yesterday !!

Anyway, I will certainly let you know what happens at the doctors - although if the numbness is not gone by daybreak, I may just go to the urgent care clinic instead. Numbness can't be good, can it ?

Justen

Originally posted by Justen
I am definetely going to the doc's today.

Hang tough, Justen. Let us know what your doc says. Good luck! :)

Originally posted by bac
Hang tough, Justen. Let us know what your doc says. Good luck! :)

Okay...a little update.
I saw the doctor today and have been referred to a sports medicine surgeon for consultation. It seems the injury was more serious than initially thought.
The swelling has still not gone down but at least I got some stronger painkillers and some anti-inflammatories. I just have to do the old ice and rest thing for the next couple of days and then switch to heat.

I am also being referred to physiotherapy.

I have to say that when I first fell, I felt such a weird sensation in my knee, and then searing pain. If this is a serious ligament thing, I may not be able to cycle for sometime :-(

Keep your fingers crossed for me !

Thanks everybody for your info and well wishes.

Justen

If it is ligaments... they take time to heal.

Think of it this way... you are forced to let your body repair. Obvioulsy the knee is the main thing... but the rest of you is going to get some rest too... and that isn;'t entirely a bad thing. Sometimes I have broken through old plateaus quickly after a good rest.

Still... I know its frustrating and sucks to be off your bike. :( Just make sure you have healed well so when you get back on you can stay on.

cAPS

AHHH!!! I actually got into biking because of a knee injury! A little over 3 years ago, I slid into first base, and heard this collosal "pop" followed by searing pain in my knee. I wanted to go to the ER, but the ambulance dude didn't think it was "necessary". Arrgh. Anyway, the ER doc diagnosed it as a "sprained MCL". I thought "sprain's don't go 'pop'" but went to go see my orthopaedist shortly thereafter. The ortho said, given the mechanism of injury, I had torn my ACL, and to come back in 3 wks to detemine the plan. Went back, and he fixed it (surgically) using the hamstring tendon to create a new ACL. I was on crutches for 6 days, and pain killers for 3. That was in August, 2000. In 2001, I started biking again, but I had to wear this huge brace, but they let me ride. I wanted to do a charity ride (180 miles in 3 days) that year, but I was not progressed far enough in time(and I was riding a mtn bike). So I hooked up with another ride, and haven't gone back! By riding, it has already strengthened many of the muscles around and supporting your knee...it is already strong. If you have torn a ligament, it should be a fast heal because you are active, but DON'T PUSH IT! I was told biking was the best thing for it, although in your case, I'm not sure...maybe you should switch to a hands free H2O system...anyway, good luck at the ortho! RICE!!!!

sorry to hear that the injury might be more serious. my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery and be patient!

Once you get into Physiotherapy, you'll feel a lot better. I know I do. The PT explained more to me about my elbow injury and got me started on an easy strengthening program.

Being proactive with an injury always makes me feel hopeful that I'll recover faster than predicted and get back to my activities sooner.

Don't feel so klutsy. I did exactly the same thing (dropped my water bottle and ran over it) a couple of months ago. I considered myself lucky that I didn't fall.

I use a hydration pack and keep the water bottle as a spare.

Fortunately, cycling is one of the activities that the PT's generally use for therapy.

Kathi

Originally posted by lovemyswift
Once you get into Physiotherapy, you'll feel a lot better. I know I do. The PT explained more to me about my elbow injury and got me started on an easy strengthening program.

Being proactive with an injury always makes me feel hopeful that I'll recover faster than predicted and get back to my activities sooner.

Don't feel so klutsy. I did exactly the same thing (dropped my water bottle and ran over it) a couple of months ago. I considered myself lucky that I didn't fall.

I use a hydration pack and keep the water bottle as a spare.

Fortunately, cycling is one of the activities that the PT's generally use for therapy.

Kathi

Hi Kathi,

I have never had this kind of accident happen before but feel grateful (and amazed) that I didn't suffer any worse injuries and barely any road rash.

I'm also very fortunate that it happened in a city park and not on the street where I might have been hit by car as I fell.

So...I think physio will be okay. I'm thinking I will get some good advice on how to tell when I am ready to start riding again etc etc.

However, I think I will get one of those hydration packs now. I have been putting it off but they are pretty handy to have and I could just use my water bottles as extras then so it would be safer.

Thanks for your reply !

Justen