"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - I have found the end of these internets.

As I sit on the couch with a cryo cuff for 16 hours a day x 3 more days.....

My "pretty bad" Lateral Meniscus tear that I went in to get repaired yesterday ended up being a "decent tear" with "some really bad tears within the Articular Cartilage". As in, my Articular Cartilage was pretty much torn in half and is the flap that I felt getting caught in my knee 4,000 times a day for the last 4 months. Arthritis is going to be awesome.

For anyone who has has a scope and some cartilage removal in the last couple of years; how long until you were back on the bike 'fully' and has it had any impact, other than initial loss of fitness, on your racing career? I fully intend to follow Dr and PT's orders, but my follow up isn't for 4 more days and I would like to have an idea of real world recovery times.

Thanks.

As I sit on the couch with a cryo cuff for 16 hours a day x 3 more days.....

My "pretty bad" Lateral Meniscus tear that I went in to get repaired yesterday ended up being a "decent tear" with "some really bad tears within the Articular Cartilage". As in, my Articular Cartilage was pretty much torn in half and is the flap that I felt getting caught in my knee 4,000 times a day for the last 4 months. Arthritis is going to be awesome.

For anyone who has has a scope and some cartilage removal in the last couple of years; how long until you were back on the bike 'fully' and has it had any impact, other than initial loss of fitness, on your racing career? I fully intend to follow Dr and PT's orders, but my follow up isn't for 4 more days and I would like to have an idea of real world recovery times.

Thanks.

I had a full ACL replacement in April 2009. No running period and only light cycling after 16 weeks. I was back on the bike with volume in late October early November. I am still 10%-15% off my FTP from December 08. (Tore the ligament January 2nd 09 skiing). I am up to 10 hours a week on the bike, can walk, hike and swim. No running greater than 2 miles on a treadmill at 0% grade. I'm not in a hurry. You shouldn't be either.

Take the time to heal correctly.

Yeah, no hurry since my real career is more important than my cycling hobby. I'm just trying to mentally prepare as I've already been off the bike since October as it is. Trying to decide if I just keep on eating whatever I want or start trying to lose the weight I've gained in the last few months. No point in eating well if I'm not on the bike, right? :D

I had the same thing as you, cslone. (I wouldn't see an ACL recovery as being the same thing as an articular cartilage recovery. They're two different things.) Yours sounds a little worse than mine. My articular cartilage had been worn away. They removed the plica, and they pokes holes into the base of my femur to stimulate blood flow to aid growth.

I followed the rules closely and took my time. I did a lot of stuff on the elliptical machine at the gym until they gave me the OK to ride. I was riding again (albeit very slowly) in six weeks or so. I won a race three months later. My knee has never been 'right' since then due more to the trauma of the surgery than the meniscus/cartilage itself. But I'm still able to play tennis, volleyball, row, ride, skate ski, etc on it.
I'm 49. This was in 2005.
I'm on Glucosamine. Nothing else.

Good to know ES, thanks. I'm really hurting today, the 3rd day and still pretty swollen. Luckily I've got my other hobby to keep me occupied while I'm off the bike.....firearms!

Luckily I've got my other hobby to keep me occupied while I'm off the bike.....firearms!

Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

One year ago (Jan 2009) they removed cartilage in 3 different places from my left knee. I had an easy recovery and was walking around in a few days, back on the bike going easy in 4 or 5 weeks. Full tilt shortly thereafter. I've heard of people riding faster even, and I've heard of people taking months. It's a YMMV situation, so don't listen much to anybody but your body and your doctor.

One year later, I feel better than I've felt in a decade. No problems or pain whatsoever thus far.

EDIT: And to the point contained in your subject line, I finished the first 3 seasons of Weeds in 2 days. Painkillers + DVDs + bed rest = mmmmmmmm...

Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

The way I'm limping around, it wouldn't make much difference right now.

Well, the good news is my PT says I can get on the bike in like a 39x19 for 30 minutes a day, not clipped in. The bad news is I have no motivation to do it right now.

Oh well, it's a start.

Stay off the bike and work on your triple taps.

Heal fast man.

Man, I am so itching to get out the new AR, but I hate just sitting at a bench shooting. Waiting for the next carbine class at the local Tactical course.