Touring - Post Surgery Blues - can't pedal yet

I tore my ACL in my right knee on 3/19 - on my dirt bike and planted my leg in an effort to prevent a crash and OUCH!! An MRI confirmed it, so I had reconstructive surgery on 4/14. I chose the patellar tendon method and I'm currently going through physical therapy 3x a week.

Looks like about 8 weeks before I'm cleared to ride a bicycle again, so here I sit and I've never wanted to load up the bike and head out more than I do right now! This is killing me!!!

Anyone have ACL surgery before? Down time? How are you now? Looking for any feedback, primarily because I'm bored to death and have nothing better to do.

Thanks.

Really sorry to hear that - I know exactly what you're going through....

I tore my ACL (left one) a few years ago - the dr's didn't diagnose it for about 18months, when after I'd had continuing problems they figured I'd probably torn some cartilege and put me in for keyhole surgery. Only then did they realise I'd completely torn my ACL. I waited 6months for the ACL reconstruction (I went for the hamstring option)... meanwhile, despite physio etc, my knee weakened so much I ended up ripping off some more cartilege which got wedged in the joint so I couldn't bend my leg. Was on crutches for 6weeks until the op.
Unsurprisingly, my muscles wasted a lot in that time and made post-ACL-op recovery very long. Was on crutches for a further six weeks before I was slowly able to hobble around unaided.... It was the most painful experience ever and the post-op physio was torture and I thought my knee would never be right. And I did my exercises with an almost religious commitment.
It was a long time before I was back on the bike and I had to be careful with twisting movements even a year after the op...

The reason I'm boring you with this is that, despite all the setbacks, my knee is now fine (I'm now 10,000km into my tour) - although back at home it would be painful from time to time, since I've been cycling regularly I've not had a twinge out of it.

I have no doubt your recovery will be a lot faster than mine - I know a few people who have had them and they've made full recovery in the usual, expected time.

But that said, it's really important to stick to the exercises you've been given to strengthen the knee and regain full movement. It can be frustrating at time, but you just have to persevere because it will be ok eventually.
Secondly, it's really important not to rush back into anything too quickly - stick to the schedule you have been given. As far as I know, there is a significantly higher risk of tearing the ACL again in the first months post-op. And that's the last thing you want.

Besides my physio exercises, immersing myself in work etc there were two things I did while I was relatively immobile:
1. Taught myself HTML and some basic website design and set one up.
2. Watched a number of TV series, my favourite of which was WEEDS - it's hilarious!
And when slightly more mobile and could go for short walks:
3. Try and learn French using material I'd downloaded onto my iPod

147607

Best of luck with the recovery - you just have to be patient about the bike.... but it'll be worth the wait!!!

Torn ACL with a nice MCL mangle. (The second major injury to the same knee)

2 weeks able to spin a bicycle pedal on the trainer
4 months one week went x-country skiing.
6 months throwing tele-turns on soft snow.
At one year post opp finished a 5000 mile bicycle tour.

If I mangle the same knee a third time I -will- request performance enhancing drugs to aid recovery. It took 8 months before I could do any type of impact movement even though I was at 95% on the bike and 85% on the slopes. I was starting to worry I may have drawn the black ball but eventually it came around after my crazy bike adventure.

Some of this things which worked:

Trainer + Wii tennis = good times
Silly add-on tri bars for the bike
anti-embolism hose
4 strap brace with adjustable lockouts
Keeping the legs shaved for a while. The first and hopefully the only time.
Naproxin. Oh how I love thee for joint pain.


Hind sight:

I lost too much good weight post surgery. Next time I will fork over the cash for protein drinks

It is 100% in all ways? No

When I walk for long periods on pavement it gets achy. Running is ok but for some reason walking is not a happy place.

I was hit by a car in '01, injured my back badly, and couldn't walk for 3 years (luckily I'm fine now). Having to wait 8 weeks is annoying, but it could be worse.

Used to ride and race dirtbikes.. After spending 8 weeks in a cast with a broken ankle.. I was pretty much done. It was good fun for about 20 years.

Get better soon... Keep that chin up!

TAKEONAFRICA,

Thanks for the reply and sorry to hear about your long recovery! Geesh, that stinks they did not diagnose it correctly the first time.

You speak to your muscles and how much mass you lost - that is the most depressing part of this whole thing, my right leg looks like a bag of jelly compared to my good leg. I know it'll come back with time, I have faith in my doctor and therapist.

Thanks again for the reply and best of luck to you on your 10,000 km tour - I would assume in Africa?

Torn ACL with a nice MCL mangle. (The second major injury to the same knee)

2 weeks able to spin a bicycle pedal on the trainer
4 months one week went x-country skiing.
6 months throwing tele-turns on soft snow.
At one year post opp finished a 5000 mile bicycle tour.

If I mangle the same knee a third time I -will- request performance enhancing drugs to aid recovery. It took 8 months before I could do any type of impact movement even though I was at 95% on the bike and 85% on the slopes. I was starting to worry I may have drawn the black ball but eventually it came around after my crazy bike adventure.

Some of this things which worked:

Trainer + Wii tennis = good times
Silly add-on tri bars for the bike
anti-embolism hose
4 strap brace with adjustable lockouts
Keeping the legs shaved for a while. The first and hopefully the only time.
Naproxin. Oh how I love thee for joint pain.


Hind sight:

I lost too much good weight post surgery. Next time I will fork over the cash for protein drinks

It is 100% in all ways? No

When I walk for long periods on pavement it gets achy. Running is ok but for some reason walking is not a happy place.


Thanks! Especially enjoy reading what worked for you - Why did you keep your legs shaved for a while?

Appreciate the feedback!

I was hit by a car in '01, injured my back badly, and couldn't walk for 3 years (luckily I'm fine now). Having to wait 8 weeks is annoying, but it could be worse.


You are absolutely right and I count my blessings every day. Glad to hear you are fine now!

Used to ride and race dirtbikes.. After spending 8 weeks in a cast with a broken ankle.. I was pretty much done. It was good fun for about 20 years.

Get better soon... Keep that chin up!

I hear ya, I've been racing hare scrambles for quite some time, not exactly ready to give it up. Well, one more of these and I may reconsider. How did you manage to break your ankle?

Thanks! Especially enjoy reading what worked for you - Why did you keep your legs shaved for a while?

Appreciate the feedback!

It's easier to see muscle contractions/definition with shaved legs.

It's easier to see muscle contractions/definition with shaved legs.

Aahhhhhhh. Got it - great idea, thanks.