Training & Nutrition - Meniscus/tracking problems due to overuse...any advice?

Hey All,

Sitting here tonight instead of being on the bike. Right knee is swollen due to a possible medial meniscus tear and some patellar tracking problems. Just wondering whether other cyclists have had similiar knee issues and if so, what they did to resolve them. I've RICED to death, had massage, been to PT, tried spinning in such low gears that my HR barely moves and am still having problems.

I've been a cyclists for over 20 years and am now reaping the benefits of trying to stay fit:( Anyone else out there in the same boat and if so, any secrets to a speedy recovery? Or not so speedy. Just want to be able to get on the bike again and ride......

Thanks

MRI and then surgery.

MRI and then surgery.

Not what I wanted to hear but, well, I did ask. How did it work for you?

The MRI is good to see what is exactly wrong.

My wife had the surgery.

She still hurts 8 weeks later.

I'd get the imaging done to see what, exactly, is wrong. If it's a cartilage tear, PT won't fix it. It seems a bit odd to me that you would be sent to a PT if a cartilage tear were suspected, but the imaging hadn't been done. It seems that you'd want the surgery, and then the rehab.

There are lot of things I would play by ear and see if they sort themselves out, but an obviously swollen knee isn't one of them. Cartilage really doesn't heal itself very well and cartilage injuries can put you on the fast track to arthritis.

The MRI is good to see what is exactly wrong.

My wife had the surgery.

She still hurts 8 weeks later.

Sorry to hear this! Hopefully she will heal completely.

Must first see an orthoped who will decide if the MRI is necessary so says my primary care doc. PT was ordered first because it is cheaper than getting an MRI. I'm sure I will get approval for an MRI from the surgeon. If not, I will demand it. Ahhh...gotta love the health care system.

You may have a muscle imbalance, causing the tracking problem.

Here, watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOQw-GR8A4o&playnext_from=TL&videos=7R8v6SWKDTM

Had the surgery, was on the bike 4 days later. Knee took about a year to totally rehab. Scar tissue from the surgery was what took so long to get rid of. But surgery is only way to fix it. The tracking issue is another story and does require PT.

Had the surgery, was on the bike 4 days later. Knee took about a year to totally rehab. Scar tissue from the surgery was what took so long to get rid of. But surgery is only way to fix it. The tracking issue is another story and does require PT.


I'm encouraged hearing this! Did they repair the tear to the meniscus or take a portion out? Thanks Carbonfiberboy. Love that name. Love Carbon Fiber Period.

Get a pro level bike fit.

I'm encouraged hearing this! Did they repair the tear to the meniscus or take a portion out? Thanks Carbonfiberboy. Love that name. Love Carbon Fiber Period.I had a tear that looked like a leaf in the surgery imaging. They snipped it out. That was years ago and it's still fine, no different from the other knee. But that's just my injury, yours may be different.

My understanding is that successful repair is very rare as there is no oxygen available to these tissues for them to repair themselves.

I rode Z1 on my rollers for a couple of weeks and then went on a C group ride, but about halfway through I couldn't stand it and went off. I had it done in April, but couldn't do the hard mountain rides that summer, though I could the next summer.

The moniker came with my '99 Trek, cause I was like a little boy with his first real bike.

BTW, I had the same experience with the medical folks. My doc said I couldn't have a meniscus tear because no could do what I was doing and have one. Guess he never heard about HTFU. But he finally relented and ordered an MRI, then sent me to a surgeon.

patellar/kneecap and meniscus are two different things

sometimes kneecap issues can be caused by a muscle imbalance of the inner/outer quads which may be addressed by PT.
otherwise the kneecap can rub out the cartilage in it and cause real problems down the road

depending on where the meniscus tear is, it could be snipped out and you be painfree in a matter of days
otherwise if it is in a load bearing area there are long term arthritis risks as it is no longer there to provide a cushioning effect

Thanks to everyone who responded! It is appreciated.

One "test" I always advise is to simply spin with out any resistance and find out if the motion itself will cause inflammation. This cannot be attempted until after you have lowered current swelling.

You can always try a shorter crank arm on the side of the afflicted knee.

Off hand, I doubt you need any imaging or surgery, you just need to obviate the causes of your injury.

Hey RC,

Swelling was resolved post cortisone shot that I had several months ago. I started in slowly and spun in easy gears for a few weeks. Once I started pushing a bit harder, the pain returned as did the swelling:( I'd like to think that this thing will resolve on it's own but it's been hanging on for quite some time now.

Just curious...how would the shorter crank arm help my afflicted knee?

Thanks for the advice and taking the time to post!