REDBEARD_WS

Well folks its been a long LONG time since ive been on here. I more lurked than anything. Im a Rhinoclyde lol im tipping the scales at 390lbs. Before march 2013 I was heavily going to the gym, and riding quite a bit. I was down to 350lbs and I could easily do 25mi a few times a week and was exited to be in my new apt in an area that has alot of good biking roads and better scenery than where I was living (fields and chicken houses get boring) so after the winter was warming up I pulled my giant out of storage and gave it a nice tune up for the soon to come warmer months. I brought it and my gfs trek up to the apt and was ready to ride the next weekend. And then on March 19 I was at work carrying about 140lbs and stepped on an air hose. My right foot went faster than my knee. Total damage : Torn ACL, detatched LCL, detatched 2 muscles on outter knee and a mushed paroneal nerve. So about 10 days later ibhad my first surgery to reattach my LCL, move my nerv and wire the muscles back on. I spent 2 weeks in a gigantic jones brace and then the next 5.5 recovering. Due to the nerve damage i had drop foot and had to have a custom afo made and retaught myself how to drive with it (hard to drive when you cant lift your foot) in september I had acl reconstruction and have been actively going to physical therapy ever since. I am walking very well and im beginning to regain foot motion though upward movement is very weak. Knee strength seems to be very strong and I can pedal constantly on a stationary bike for 10min now w/o any real difficulties. Im comming up on a year and 50lbs of being off my bike. Im very very much looking forward to it

What can you folks reccomend when jumping back on after a pretty severe knee injury?
thanks in advance and im really looking forward to rejoining the community

Erwin8r

Redbeard, first let me say this: ouch! Sounds painful. But your great attitude towards recovery will help immensely. I have no clue what type of bike makes the most sense "medically," but if it were me, id opt for a comfort or hybrid to start the recuperation process. Welcome back, and stay at it!

REDBEARD_WS

I cleaned up my bike yesterday and gave it a ince over. Sadyl it has to sit in an open balcony so its got a bit rust spotting but only on the quick release so I think it should be good.

indyfabz

I recommend that you get professional medical advice re: what you should and should not be doing at this stage.

ill.clyde

This.

REDBEARD_WS

Doc gave me the ok. Just didnt know if anyone who has had a knee injury had any advice. Just waiting for a nice day to knock off the cobwebs of me and bike

digibud

You really do need to start with a physical therapist of some sort. You may not need to see them endlessly but at the very least they can help show you the kind of specific exercises you will need to do to regain strength and flexibility. When you do get on a bike be sure you spin easy and don't push hard.

catonec 

do a flat, slow 5-10 mile ride your first time out. then wait till the next day and see what hurts or not hurts.

REDBEARD_WS

Ive been really fortunate to find an awesome PT place and have been in PT 3 times a week since october. Ive been doing 10min on stationary bike every session as a warm up and mentioned to them that it makes me miss riding and they told me that when the weather clears i should get back on. So i was crazy excited about that. Sucky part is none of them ride so I cant get any real specifics. But the staionary doesnt irritate my knee at all.

ill.clyde

In that case I'd go with catonec's advice ... start low miles and low pace and see how it goes. Rushing back into it and reinjuring yourself is a bad thing

2 wheeler

My non-medical-expert-advice would be to spin the cranks while using very little force on the pedals, ie take it easy on the legs/ankles/feet. Build your strength and endurance slowly.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, but I portrayed one on a few TV commercials a few years back. No kidding.

fiatjeepdriver

I've had knee problems stemming from football, wrestling, and a few other sports and am actually just starting to ride again after a really bad sprain. In addition to what the others have said keep it lower gears for the time being and make sure your saddle is at a proper height. I'm assuming you are on flat pedals but if not I'd talk with a bike fitter about looking at cleat placement.

REDBEARD_WS

Yea im rocking platforms....just ordered a set of wellgo mg1s so I get better grip and wider area to make life a bit easier