Hardheadmandca

Anyone been through this? I am 51, and the injury probably happened about 30 years ago. I have no pain while riding - rode 113 miles last Saturday - but pain when I run, and occasionally when I walk.

I'm curious about how soon I can realistically be back on my bike for 15 mile flat rides.

Jason B

Brian, everyone is different... you're looking at about 4-6 weeks most likely... your limitation will be swelling in the knee post operatively... the more you go by physical therapy instructions and follow directions the better off you'll be.

Will admit I haven't been through it (although I think my R knee meniscus is shot, too), but I do see patients regularly who have had it done...

Jason B

Also make sure you talk to the doctor about the almost certainty of getting arthritis in that knee down the road if he/she didn't mention it already...

roadrider

Had mine done about 5 years ago. Took me about 6 to 8 weeks to start riding again. But one of my friends
had the same thing I had done this summer and he was back at about 4 weeks. Like Jason B said
every one is different.

Hardheadmandca

Thank you all. I was hoping for light spinning in a week or two. I guess I'll push that back some.

NaBlade

I was scheduled for one last July to remove 1/3 of my left meniscus. After thinking it over, I declined the procedure. It only hurts when I run, so I stopped running altogether.

ChunkyB

Congratulations.

It hurts when I run too, but that's because I'm fat and out of shape. Running = the devil.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with a meniscectomy, but I can say that it pays to take your time coming back. Definitely do your physical therapy, but don't rush to get back to full speed on the bike. If you mess things up worse, you'll really regret it.

Mobiker50

Thank God! This is just about your KNEE?? When I saw the title of the thread I was afraid they were going to cut on something scary. Men-sectomy or something like that. Whew.....

Had it, did it, was off real athletic endeavors for about 4-6 weeks. Good luck!

Hardheadmandca

So, it was done today. I was out of surgery by 9AM PST today, and I have had no (zero) pain.

I find that odd, but I'm good with it. ;-)

Is this normal? Am I in for a shock later?

BigSean

Yeah its normal. Tomorrow it will hurt. I had mine done 14 years ago. I was water skiing again in 14 days. Not the brightest decision Ive made, but it worked out. That being said, be patient and listen to your knee. Dont push it too hard too soon. I would guess that about three weeks it should be on the mend. Check with your Dr and ya may find that he says a little light spinning would be fine.

lennyk

if your meniscus was torn/damaged then the damage was already done so the operation was probably to remove the torn piece and clean/smoothen any rough surfaces, hence not much cutting into fresh tissue which would cause pain.

I've been through more than a couple and the main issue is to get the swelling down, use ice and elevate the leg.

Take my advice and DO NOT DO squats or similar exercises as well as play cutting sports like soccer.
I stupidly was invigled to do a light set of squats by my gym partner last year and did serious long term damage to my knee which is now in a state of chronic pain at age 37.

Make sure to ask the doc how the surfaces of your joints looked in terms of arthritic wear and tear
and if there is wear, how it would affect you in the future, eg if you will get pain when running, kneeling etc.

I know for a fact mine are shot and will probably need a knee replacement down the road.

btw you could have asked him to keep whatever he took out for you to see
I have a piece of my meniscus in a bottle.

Cycling is the safest activity for the knees, I'm sorry I didnt give up soccer a couple years earlier and taken up cycling instead.

The best part about these operations is that in a few weeks your knee will feel real good due to the rinsing out it would have gotten during the procedure.

Good luck with the recovery.

mezza

Thats right. If God had meant you to run he would have, um, given you... legs... Oh... forget it.

Of course God did give us the intelligence to make and use bikes.

Yay for bikes!!

Hardheadmandca

Thanks again all. I'm still knee pain free, though a bit of soreness has crept into the upper thigh for some reason.

Smorgasbord42

I assume the operation was arthroscopic (two little slits cut for tools/lights). At some point soon you'll be going into physical therapy. If you're like me, they'll put you on an exercise bike. After that, if you feel up to it, ask about real riding. The problem won't be the actual riding, it'll be clipping in and out and which foot you push off with and put down at stop lights, etc. You won't feel like doing much in the way of hills, either.

Hardheadmandca

Three little holes I was told. Weird thing is I'm now almost 14 hours out from surgery and my one and only percocet, and still no pain. We'll see what the morning brings, but I'm optimistic.

Psimet2001 

Honestly the title sounds like something little girls learn about through a Judy Blume book....

Get better....and don't listen to the docs...ride through the pain. Nothing like premature strain to aid recovery.

Hardheadmandca

That's what I'm talking about. An early morning spin!

Hardheadmandca

I thought I'd report in.

Still pain free. I've needed no medication. The wraps and bandages came off this morning and bandaids went on over the stitches. Without that support, I feel a little weaker and the knee gets tired quicker, but still, no pain and excellent range of motion.

I see the doctor again on the 7th. I hope she clears me to start riding again on the 8th. That would be just under two weeks after surgery.

I haven't ridden since my El Tour De Tucson Century on the 17th, and I'm getting antsy. The bike in my office keeps looking at me forlornly.

I feel strong.

curiouskid55

Running is bad for you,

Hardheadmandca

I agree, but I seem to have a wild hair about doing a triathlon in 2008.

lennyk

I wish I had taken advice to stop soccer a couple years ago......

Bontrager

They put a tourniquet around your thigh probably at 350 mmHg during the procedure.

You might still be numb/feeling good if the local anesthetic they injected when they were done contained epinephrine.

Don't be in such a rush to get back to activity. Watch the constipation with Percoset.

Lenore

I was back on the bike within 3 days. Took me 2-3 weeks to get back to riding 15 mile flat rides. Everybody is different though.