Cycling after knee surgery
 

I'm curious hear your thoughts and experiences on cycling following knee surgery. Last week, I had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in my right knee. Unfortunately, the damage was quite extensive and the surgeon had to cut out part of the cartilage and found beginning stages of arthritis in the bone. Not what we were hoping for.

I was a big time runner prior to my surgery. I enjoy cycling, but it definitely took a back seat this year as I ran a 1/2 marathon and several other shorter races. I'm very competitive! Obvously I am paying the price now. My surgeon says that running should no longer be an option and that cycling offers a reasonable option to stay competitive and fit.

I'm a bigger guy (6'2", 230lbs) and have never really cycled competitively. I own a Felt F55, with full Dura Ace components. I upgraded the wheelset to EA70's this past summer. It's a great bike and feel I can be competitive given the dedication and practice. So the equipment won't be an issue...just the engine.

So what was your experience cycing after knee surgery? Any tips, concerns or thoughts on what I could/should expect post surgery. Did anyone experience any setbacks with cycling post surgery? Are spinning classed a good alternative during the winter months to get myself prepared for the spring?

Thanks for reading and look forward to your replies!

i had severe damage to the cartilage in my right knee from impact of playing squash far too much and too hard. i lost quite a bit of cartilege when it was smoothed away. i was warned never to run or play squash again. i never ran anywy because it is boring and i hted it.

now i ride a bike and smell the flowers and manure in the fields.

I had pretty much the same surgery just about two years ago now. I had over 50% of my meniscus removed from my right knee as well. Personally, I had a fantastic recovery with virtually no swelling, or major discomfort, but in all honesty, I've always been a very quick healer. I simply followed my surgeons instructions and had regular post-op checks. Don't skimp on the therapy part of things if need be, and if he/she says it's ok, increase your usage of your knee in order to facilitate the healing process, but don't go farther than what your comfortable with. I was actually doing short, low intensity rides withing two weeks, although my surgeon was a bit surprised at that pace. Two years later, lot's of riding, hiking and rock climbing...no problems at all.

Hmm, first off let me say listen and give up the running. I was told the same thing years ago yet kept running through the pain, parachuting out of aircraft, etc. In 2004 I ran over 800 miles training to set a marathon PR. Going downhill at mile nine of the marathon my knee gave out yet like a fool I went ahead and finished the race. Needless to say, that was my last day of running. Long story short both knees operated on and cartilage cut out, lots of arthritis found also. Then I turn my right meniscus again this spring just walking. That was the final straw and I started biking. I pay close attention to my seat position and have found a sweet spot that lets me ride pain free even though we still have fixed the latest tear. I try not to mash on the pedals nor spin too fast. I can ride 20 - 30 miles daily with no knee issues and can knock out 50 -70 mile rides on the weekend. I think if you take it easy and work into it slowly you will have no problem. Both my family doctor and my knee surgeon are bikers and both have had knee surgeries. My surgeon said he was back to limited cycling a week after his surgery so it really does seem to be the thing for those of us with bad knees to do. I've logged over 2,400 miles cycling since the end of May and haven't had hardly any pain doing any of it. In fact I think the strengthening of the quads helps to stabilize the knees and compensates for the degradation of the joint. My one knee is bone on bone in one spot but I'm still doing fine. So take it easy, build up slowly, and have fun.

Same here, had feathered cartilage. They went in and smoothed it out. Was on the bike days later.

Will be following this thread as I have less than perfect knees. Have been having some issues with them since a ride i did last Friday. Hoping I can avoid any kind of surgery or medical treatment.

I've had full knee reconstructions on both knees (don't ask). Post surgery, I was told that it would take upwards of 6 months to heal as long as I followed the courses of physio treatments and exercises I was given. Luckily for me, I healed quicker than expected (4 months) and much of it was due to the stationary bike at the physio. Biking can actually be good for the knee as it gets a good workout without the impact that you get from running. I can still ski (although it took 4 years after the surgery to work up the courage, even though I was told by my surgeon that I could go back after 18 months), dance and do pretty much anything I want now, but I won't run on them at all. When I do run (touch football occasionally), I really feel it the next day - pain and swelling.

Essentially, don't skimp on the physio treatments and exercises you are give. Do all that is asked of you without fail and you should be able to come back as good as ever. Also, if there is pain, STOP - doing any more damage is not worth it in the long run.

My right knee is the same as yours. stationary cycling was part of my therapy. BORING! But got me back on my bike within a month.
Be extra anal about your fit. For me, Too much leg extension is just as bad as not enough. And develop a smooth pedal stroke / learn how to spin.

I've ridden 140K miles since two knee surgeries on my right knee in the late 80's. You can ride. Lose weight, that will take some load off the knee. The skinnier you can get the better it is for you in just about every way, particularly when it comes to cycling.

You're young, htfu! :D

Oh, I figure the damage occured when you were fixing that flat you had. :p

I'm interested as I just had an MRI on my right knee. Waiting for the results. Doc thinks it's a torn meniscus. Just picked up my first road bike as therapy. I expect to have surgery in Dec/Jan.

Thanks all your thoughts! I wish I was like Brett Favre and could just play through all the pain and damage to my knee. Of course, he probably won't be walking by the time he is 50.

I would like to get back on a stationary bike here in the next couple of weeks. I think I might by a trainer so I can train on my bike over the winter. I'll search this site for reviews on trainers.


Thanks again!

after my meniscus scoping I waited 11 years before working my knees hard again. I don't think I needed to wait that long. drop some weight and take up swimming.

The short answer to your question is yes, spinning is good (when cleared by the physical therapist) and miles on the bike in spring will be good.

The longer answer is follow instructions from your physical therapists, be patient, and quit running, spin - don't mash on the bike and in spin class. Weight loss comes with miles on the bike.

I'm 50 years old. In April of '08 I had ACL replacement, repair of some MCL damage, removal of a large portion if meniscus, and bone resurfacing on both patella and femur of my left knee - the full meal deal. During recovery, spin classes became my main strength building exercise, which lead this summer to my return to more serious cycling after a 25 year break.

I don't know how old you are, but at my age, recovery took a while. I only just now feel as though my surgical knee is nearing 100% of what it was before the injury. By the end of this summer though, thanks to cycling, I'm in better shape than I've been in probably 25 years. I'm 5'10 and my weight went from 215 prior to surgery to 190 now.

The best news is that the arthritis in both knees seems to be reduced by cycling. When I travel for work and am off the bike for a week or more, I notice my knees bothering me. Within a few days of being back on the bike regularly, the pain is reduced significantly.

I want to pile on the keep riding vibes here.
My left knee is bone on bone with bad arthritis.I tore it up in a sports accident and had a major reconstruction surgery 30 years ago. I wear this baby on it 24/7 except when I am riding. Without the brace walking is painful.
http://images-partners.google.com/im...l97hlfsZ6-pM::
My orthopedist wants to do a full knee replacement on me but says I am too young at just 47 to do it now. They only last about 20 years and if he does it now, at 67 I would need another one and the surgery is pretty hairy for a 67 year old. He will wait a few years and do it when I am in my 50's

Sounds pretty bad right?
Well that left knee is attached to a cyclist that rode 5 double centuries and 9 centuries this year. Pain free. I will have 6000 miles before the year is out.

+1 Get a good bike fit. I suggest a Specialized Body Geometry trained fitter. Mine did wonders for me.

Consider Speedplay pedals.

+1 Learn to spin.

Use easy gearing on hills. (I have a 50/34 compact crank with an 11-34 ten speed cassette)

Go for it!

What does it mean to "learn to spin"?

http://www.suite101.com/content/spinning-to-improve-pedaling-technique-a147478

http://www.suite101.com/content/road...hnique-a147197

Basically rapid pedaling in an easier gear to achieve speed.
Rather than slower pedaling in a harder gear to achieve the same speed.

there's a lot of people with knee probs here. i guess that's not surprising.

Haha this is true!

I had a couple minor one injuries when I wrestled and played football in highschool.

1. right as much as you want without fear
2. Don't even think about distance running ever again. should you get the desire to try some sprint marathons perhaps short distance running will be okay for you but probably not worth it.
3. Most spin classes suck, invest your money on a decent indoor trainer and or cold weather gear and/or foul weather bike.
4. Try glucosamine chondroitin. I never remember to take mine but some people swear that it helps with their joints.

I blew out my ACL in january and bought a bike because of that. Havent' had surgery yet as I don't have haealth insurance and out of pocket is cost prohibitive but my legs are as strong as ever. The problem is your injury is a different ballgame, losing a chunk of your meniscus is no joke and even if there is a full layer there, if you continue to run at your weight, you will degrade your knee to bone on bone and need a knee replacemtn.

Can you be competitve on the bike? yes within reason. A lot of events have clydesdale classes. It's going to be virtually impossible for you to compete with sub 200 lb cyclists going up hills. In the flats and downhills big guys like us have a better chance but the time you spend going down hills is always a fraction of the time spent going up them so the weight penalty going up is far worse than the advantage on the way down.

So much to learn. Thanks.

I had a tibial plateau fracture in June of 2009. It involved the cartilage of my knee. I have moderate osteoarthritis as a result. I also have a partial tear of the MCL and PCL resulting in instability of my knee. Cycling has been the best rehab. It has greatly strengthened my knee and helped build up my legs from severe muscle wasting from being bedridden. I haven't had any setbacks. But I know a great deal about bike fit so I can avoid further aggravating my knee. I also spin at a relatively high cadence.

I haven't had my knee-surgery yet, but the check's in the mail, sure. (Before one can become an old & wise cyclist, one must first be a young & foolish marathoner.)

After two back surgeries, I can state with all zeal & conviction: become an A+ therapy pupil! For us this is pretty easy, since most physical therapists are young, attractive women; but you should also request diagrams of the stretches/exercises from the therapist, and vow to do them several times a day at home, AND buy whatever equipment needed. Therapy & yoga are the reasons I can now ride sub-five hour centuries while pulling hordes of exploitative slackers, with zero back pain.

And another vote to please quit running--we inherited our feeble knees from hairless, upright primates, not gazelles.

Excellent bike choice, btw. Good luck & keep us abreast, or two!

http://www.calamarichris.com/images/100306-chrbaldy.jpg

My father told me to take up cycling after having arthroscopic for a small tear in the meniscus. his words of wisdom "I know lot's of old cyclists, I don't know too many old runners".


My regular riding partner now is 65 years old man who has been riding for the better part of 40 years.....he makes the hills look too damned easy.

That sounds like words of wisdom. I'm a Marine going 18 years...done my share of running. Literally every Marine I know who has been in over 15 years who is an avid runner has blown out knees...yet they still run. Even three miles would cause severe pain in my knees. Only been riding for about two weeks and my knees never hurt. Hopefully after I get the meniscus repair surgery I will be able to walk without limping.

However, my ass is in pain from my 15 miler today...