FlashBazbo

UPDATE: It turns out that this wasn't a degenerative meniscus, after all. A large flap tear was wedging under the kneecap each time I turned the crank. The friction there eventually, over the course of hundreds of thousands of revolutions, caused the kneecap to generate some big, little finger-sized bumps on the underside. Then, over time, the constant bumping and rubbing against those bumps caused a large number of cracks to form in the kneecap.

They trimmed the meniscus tear and took out the bumps under the kneecap. In a month, they will likely pump some goop under the kneecap to help things along.

I got back on the bike last evening (day 6 since the surgery) but, at this point, it's 30 minutes of Zone 1. I am to slowly work my way back, avoiding pain along the way. Slow process, I suspect, but I'm glad to be back on the bike.

Thanks for asking.

loky1179

Great to hear. Sounds like the surgery was definitely the right move, which is always nice to know! Good luck on a full recovery.

FBinNY 

Having worked with a knee surgeon BITD setting up bicycles for his recovery program, I can tel, you that the key is to use low gears only, especially early on. No hill climbing for a while, and avoid loading when the knee is bent (near top of stroke, though some push is allowed near the bottom. Use the turn the pedals lightly process and build your no pain hours. Then slowly expand the use of gears and small grades over time.

If you're a strong hill climber or sprinter you have to be very careful because you have the muscular strength to damage the not yet recovered joint and set up an inflammation process that will delay the ultimate recovery.

FlashBazbo

Excellent points. Thanks for the advice.

CrankyFranky

The result sounds pretty darned endouraging. Makes me wish my bad knees had such a simple-sounding fix. Not to be, though.

Happy recovery! Don't push it.

spdntrxi

I alphabet souped my left knee a few years ago... only have 10-15% of my meniscus left.. I ride with no problems. Now running, long walking and hell even coaching my daughters softball team is another story... and I'm not even 50 I miss playing hoops though.

Carbonfiberboy 

I was riding my rollers, z1, the second day after my surgery. I was doing hard group rides (off the back) in a month. I wasn't back at my peak for about 6 months.

spdntrxi

I was on trainer.. Z0 same week after ..approx 5-6 days that I can remember. Was required part of PT at the office. I would assume if I just got scoped it would have been sooner. But I had many a new ligament as well.

FlashBazbo

UPDATE: I'm on my sixth day on the bike (post-op day 11). No pain, but the knee is still swollen. I've worked my way up to 45 minutes at a mid-Zone 2 pace. Riding easy up the hills -- short 8% to 10% grades -- no standing. Tomorrow, I move up to low Zone 3 and, by the weekend, I hope to be doing hour rides. I'm very encouraged, so far, but I wish the swelling would go down.

mtnroads

I second the opinion to not push tall gears.. I've a history of knee problems from running (both were scoped in the 90's) but haven't had issues cycling until recently. I did some serious damage to both my knees regularly climbing over a steep mountain pass in the Philippines with a 5 mile climb (avg 10% grade) on my road bike. It was part of my regular ride for over a year, and I was pushing too hard with the compact gearing.. finally the meniscus in my left knee said enough is enough. Ended up on crutches and getting an MRI. Significant deterioration in the joint.. and many micro tears in the meniscus.. I am back to riding regularly again but steep grades still give me some problems.

They prescribed Glucosamine Sulfate in a powdered form and it works really well for the pain since I can't take NSAID's. It's also supposed to reduce further deterioration in the joint according to clinical trials. Orthotics have also helped, and avoiding bikes with a large q-factor (wide cranks) like mountain bikes for extended rides.