Keeping in shape after foot surgery
 

It appears I may have a Les Frank fracture of my left foot (waiting for MRI reading to come back) which would require surgery. This would leave me non-weight bearing on the foot for six to eight weeks and partial-weight bearing for another four to six weeks.

Has anyone else been in this situation? How did you stay cycling fit (or at least minimize losses) during the down time?

If I do end up having surgery, of course I'll be following my physician's orders and seeking the council of a physical therapist to develop an overall health and fitness routine suited to my recovery, but I'm interested in suggestions from other cyclists who have been in similar situations. I'll run any suggestions that sound good past the appropriate medical professionals before implementing them.

Sorry to hear about your surgery but I appreciate your thinking of getting fit. I would suggest you to consult a doctor and seek advice from him.

Get a gung-ho physical therapist that will work you until you cry in agony. The worst mistake I made was being too conservative after ankle reassembly surgery. Do everything you can to maintain range of motion and put weight on it as soon as they will let you (bone takes six weeks to heal). I got a trainer and used it in the house even when I had to climb up on it with crutches. My muscles still atrophied to a shocking extent.

BTW: Lisfranc

Will you be able to swim?

When you get to the partial weight bearing phase, you might see whether or not you can do rowing .... and of course, the trainer.

Also lots of upper body and core work (done seated or lying down).


I had a serious achilles tendon injury quite a few years ago, and was told no walking and no cycling for a while. So I focused on the upper body and core and developed great abs! :D