It was a strained ligament after all...
 

Well,

I've been to an orthopedic surgeon, an internal medicine family practitioner, and a rheumatologist, as well as a physical therapist. My knee injury occurred three weeks ago tomorrow, and is feeling so way much better! Still have occasional pains, and I haven't fixed the lower back stuff that came from the limping around, but I'm on the road to full, non-surgery-based recovery.

The rheumatologist this morning gave me his definitive diagnosis -- a strained ligament. I learned something new about that -- the ligaments are "slow" to let the brain know they are PO'ed. The incident which caused this particular problem probably happened a couple of days before my brain registered pain. He compared it to whiplash, which often doesn't show up for a couple of days.

Anyway, I'm nearly good to go. By coincidence, I have two week-long and bicycle free business trips in the next three weeks, so I'm going to continue exercising patience and stay off the bike until that's over. Even then, he said I should ride a few miles, and then wait a day or two to see if the ligaments send any messages to the brain. If that's good, then I'm back to normal.

So glad I didn't pony up for an MRI!

Do you think you have fit issues that led to the injury?

Good to hear that it isn't serious.

I sure hope you don't try another one of those "gut it out" 15 mile rides, largely using only one leg.

Well, I don't think so. I hadn't adjusted anything and it looks like the saddle is where it always is. I attribute this (at least in part) to a bad habit of very poor posture at the computer over the last year or so. I sometimes sit and turn my chair sideways, and then put my left leg up on a stool, and slouch down in the chair I'm in. Not exactly good posture. I think over time it's put a strain on my knee.

And even if that's NOT the cause, this is a good wake up call to knock off the poor posture at the computer.

That is really GOOD news!

I developed "tennis elbow" a couple of years ago. It took several months to fully heal. I got it from throwing frisbees for my dog to catch. Not that many throws either, usually about 12-15 a day.

While healing I had to learn how to throw the frisbee (or ball) with my left arm. Else my dog would have gotten very fat.

Once one is 50+, it can be embarrassing how easily we can be injured.

The main thing is while you are off- Try to get some exercise to keep the body in shape without straining the Knee and the ligament. Your upper body will lose a great deal of strength if you do not get some exercise. Suggest you lose the remote on the TV for a while- So that when you want to change channels you will have to get out of the chair and walk (Gently mind as you have a knee Injury) to the TV and change it manually. Another alternative is to Cut down to a small wineglass for the beer and leave the opened bottle in the fridge. Drinking three pints a night should give you about 12 trips to the fridge to refill the glass.

Sorry to hear you missed the MRI experience. Nothing quite like being in a tube that you have to squish your arms and shoulders in tight against your body so they can motor that table you are laying on into it, and then listen to all the electronic humming and hammering noises for the next thirty minutes or so as you try to keep from panicking due to claustrophobia. Oh well, maybe next time...

Heard that accupuncture thing is quite popular on the west coast for minor pain DG.

That consistant warm climate is causing your natural immune system to decay,sort of like leaving fruit in the sun to ripen too long.Living in mild,sunny,carefree climates do have their drawbacks.This frigid climate,(if we survive),only increases our resiliance.:)

Slobbin' around lead to a strain? Something that will actually heal, instead of having to be 'managed long term'? At your age, you got away clean, dude! BTW, I got a rowing machine and it toned up the lower back real well. It's also good for arms & abs. The bike does the legs & cardio, the machine does the top end. It's nice to have it on rainy days, too. bk

Glad you are better.

You've GOT to send us a photo of you in that chair. I'm having a hard time picturing it in my mind.

Whew! Glad it wasn't anything more serious. You'll be singing "Back in the saddle again!" before long.
If it keeps up though, you might have to get a nice comfortable LWB bent with shorter cranks and join the "smile crew!" :)

I just got over a very slight knee strain from over doing it, and that took about a month. Lots of ice and you'll be on the new bike in no time.Good luck.

I like HAPPY endings to problems!!!

Glad to hear the good news. However, I hope you didn't visit the doc with that hairstyle. You might have been the subject of a JAMA or NEJM article on the hitherto unknown connections between ligament injury and neurology/psychosis. :)

DG
I share your pain . . . literally! 20 years ago I strained the ligaments of my left knee while teaching my kids to ski. The problem did not show up immediately, but about a month later I hiked solo into the Black Canyon (5 miles and a descent of 1,200 feet) for some fishing. When I tried to climb back out the knee locked up and it took hours to limp back up and into the doctor's office.

That doc was a really smart guy -- said surgery would not help, and that biking was a good way to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee. It took a while, but the knee is pretty good. It occassionally barks when I'm tackling rides with lots of climbing, but a simple neoprene wrap works well to keep the kneee stable and pain free.

Just get back onto that new bike when it feels right, don't push too hard early on, and I'm sure you will be sharing your rides — and your latest dream bike -- with us once again! :D

I'm 6 days recovering from arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus. Mine wouldn't go away and was greatly aggravated by kneeling. It's surprising how quickly arthroscopia recovers. I'm walking fine and flexing almost to previous limits. It's still a little weak though. I'd probably already be bike commuting again except we've been hammered with snow for 2 days, and I figured the rest (working VO) couldn't hurt.

(mentioned in other posts: I originally tore it by forgetting to adjust newly installed pedals. I just clipped in and started riding. When it came time to clip out, the left side was so tight I screwed up my knee yanking it loose.)