Knee Injury Recovery

by KevinK on Jan 25, 2008 8:45 PM EST

Long story short, the driver in the left lane drove into the front of my car. I had zero time to react. I was only able to slam on the brakes before the impact, and some part of the dashboard cut through my right kneecap, and I broke a few other bones.

It was a lot like a crash in a bike race, one instant you're rolling along, then you're on the ground. You don't really feel the impact. It's more like a flashbulb going off all over your body. I didn't even think any bones were broken until I tried to move my leg and it didn't work. I reached down to see what was going on and felt a distinct lack of patella.

Of course, one of my first thoughts was, "shit, this is really going to set my training back this season."

The accident was three weeks or so ago. I'm starting to feel relatively good and am itching to get back on the bike. Hopefully I'll start physical therapy pretty soon. I think it will probably be a couple of weeks (at least) before I am able to ride the trainer.

The questions that I have:

Will my surgically repaired knee work for riding?
How much fitness will I lose with no riding for 4 to 8 weeks?

My first ride on the road this year is going to be sweeeeet. Does anyone have experience with similar injuries? I know Museeuw came back from a shattered knee (though I don't recall how long it took).

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Yikes

Glad you're alright, or at least not crippled. Hope you heal up quick... I read that Iban Mayo was in a pretty horrible head-on prior to starting his career, where he broke both his legs. He developed his toe-down style to baby his f-d up knees. So there's hope! Of course, you will become a doper but all your B-samples will test negatively so you should be fine...

by Jimbo... on Jan 26, 2008 1:16 AM EST reply actions

haha

I have to keep it in perspective. My injuries are relatively minor. I didn't break any weight bearing bones, so at least I'm able to hobble around and don't seem to be losing too much muscle tone on my bum leg.

I forgot Mayo was jacked up in a car accident. That's another good example. The bike is a pretty forgiving machine.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 26, 2008 6:37 AM EST up reply actions

Ugly!

I don't have any advice, just wanted to say good luck.

My experience from either not being able to run, ride, or get exercise for a period of time is that the fitness came back quickly (and by quickly, I mean a month or so). Also, I'm no athlete so the level it came back to wasn't extremely high.

by John.. on Jan 26, 2008 5:07 AM EST reply actions

that's good

A month isn't bad, especially since it's only January. I'm hoping it's about that time frame. Maybe I'll be ready to go in April.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 26, 2008 6:28 AM EST up reply actions

Patellas

Sorry to hear about this! Dang... I can tell from experience that you'll feel comfortable rolling on the flats well before you can climb, especially in the saddle. Take it slow, patellas are slow to heal even under the best conditions! But if you have access to a totally flat ride, you should be able to be on the bike fairly soon.

by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 26, 2008 11:46 AM EST reply actions

time frame

I'm sure everyone is different, but roughly how long did it take until you were out on the road and feeling normal on the bike?

Luckily, I have a super flat trail near home so I should be able to work the fitness back up there by spinning. I assume that's easier on the knees.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 26, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

Let's see

I lived in DC at the time, where there's a 25-mile riverside road thingy. Board flat. I felt OK spinning on that after a month, but my doctor made me wait 4-5 months (from surgery) before he'd let me climb. I think I managed to wait 3 months. I recall trying some mellow slopes early on and feeling a twinge, so I backed off.

That said, if you have to go easy for 4-5 months, you'll still be able to regain some fitness in like 3 weeks. Drew can advise there.

by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 26, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Not so bad

Some of my favorite local races are in March and April; it's probably unrealistic to be at full strength in a few months. Maybe I'll be near full strength by July/August, which is the peak of our local racing calendar.

I guess I'll be rocking the compact cranks this season.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 27, 2008 7:12 AM EST up reply actions

No go in spring

If this is a recent injury. I went backpacking after 5 months with a full pack, and lied to my doctor in the process. 6 months is safe. BTW, that was like 6 years ago or so, and it hasn't barked at me since.

by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 27, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

go slow

is probably the lesson I'd take away from these comments here and some Google searches. I read enough horror stories of re-injuries that I won't push it. It also sounds like cycling is part of rehab.

It also seems like I'll be spending most of this season re-building. So maybe I should focus on 'cross this year!

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 27, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Patience...

How's your Italian? Maybe you could write Ale Petacchi a letter and ask him for tips ;-)

I'd echo what the others have said about doing ezactly what the docs and PT people say. You really don't want to do this twice. And as you say, at least you can ride easy relatively soon, since pedaling is good rehab.

B'sides you need plenty of time over the next few months to pour over cross bits and pieces so you can build your prefect comback bike!

Good luck :-)

by Jen See on Jan 27, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

If I feel aggressive

toward busses, I'll know that's a long term side effect.

If Museeuw and Petacchi and get back to the pinnacle of the sport, I should be able to claw my way back to extreme mediocrity!

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 27, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Ha!

Definitely stay away from the buses!

I doubt you'll have too much trouble. The hard part is the patience thing. It just takes time to heal and then more time again to regain fitness. You wanted a project this season right? :-P

by Jen See on Jan 27, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

And actually...

While you're in Italy chatting up Ale, you could stop by and pay a visit to Bartoli. I think they even live near one another.

by Jen See on Jan 27, 2008 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

The perfect goal

If you're more than semi-serious about giving cross a go, that would be the perfect goal for your season. I'm not sure where you live, but figure that cross won't start up in earnest until September that gives you 7 months to recover and start your build. And cross runs for 4 months, so it's not like you have to peak by September. Your goal could be completing your first race in December.

If you have any questions about setting up a long term training plan, contact me at yahoo account and I'd happy to go over some things with you. Good luck with the surgery and let us know how it goes.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Jan 28, 2008 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

You need to know that

you're going to lose some fitness, there's no way around that. Ex: if you're off the bike for 4 weeks, it will take between 8-12 weeks to return to the level you were at pre-break. But you have to look at the bigger picture / longer view.

You've undergone a serious injury and your body will need time to repair itself (with surgical assistance) before it's ready for the stresses of riding again. You would be well served to be vigilant in rehab to regain normal joint, muscle, bone, and soft tissue function and avoid scar tissue buildup. You don't want problem areas cropping up that could set off a string of compensation issues in your haste to get riding again. Doing rehab right the first time gives you the best chance of getting back on the bike in a timely fashion - and staying there.

Once you're back and riding pain free, then you can start to rebuild your fitness.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Jan 27, 2008 8:25 AM EST up reply actions

Acupuncture + Physical Therapy

Seriously, both of them work well together. Synergistic. The problem is finding a reasonably priced acupuncturist since most people don't have insurance to cover it. But maybe you do since it was an accident? Where do you live as I could recommend a decent needle jockey if you want.

My sympathies ...

by ursula on Jan 26, 2008 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Interesting

Strangely enough my medical insurance covers acupuncture.

I am heading in for a follow up appt on Monday and I'll probably be scheduling my physical therapy then.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 26, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry to hear about your injury

I thinks it's important that the medical people you are working with understand your desire to resume cycling as soon as your condition allows. (Don't take it for granted they know.) So choose a PT group with a strong sports medicine staff.

That said, you need to be patient. If your PT say you can ride for 30 minutes on the flat that doesn't mean a half hour out and a half hour back. Unfortunately, the drive that makes competitors excel in sport works against them in healing. The loss in fitness from sticking to the plan is a fraction of the loss of fitness from setbacks.

Good luck.

by Punctured on Jan 27, 2008 11:38 AM EST reply actions

good point

I am going in for my first follow up exam with the orthopedist on Monday and I am looking forward to getting some real information on how my knee is healing. PT should be starting soon. I'll try to find a sports oriented group.

I've been googling around on this injury and found some interesting info:

Knee injury stories are disgusting!
This injury is very common among cyclists, which is not too surprising.
Outcomes vary widely. Probably not surprising, either, since there are many ways to shatter a patella.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 27, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck Kevin

I hope you are getting better.

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Jan 31, 2008 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

thanks!

I started physical therapy this week. It's been pretty interesting.

After a month with my leg in an immobilizing brace, my right quadricep dwindled incredibly.

On the first day of physical therapy, I attempted an exercize where you sit on a table, then lift your extended leg. I couldn't even do that without help from the PT, but the exercizes seemed to be helping wake the nerves up a little bit.

Yesterday, the second session, my leg was already way stronger. The PT used an electrical stimulator on the muscle to help it contract.

Today, I was able to lift my leg with no problem. I guess it will go like training--initially the gains are rapid with some plateaus along the way.

I am trying to get some cardio work in, too. I guess this will be my big opportunity to work on single leg drills on the bike.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 31, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yay!

Good luck!

What kind of cross bike are you going to get? ;-)

by Jen See on Jan 31, 2008 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

I've already got my cross bike

My redline conquest pro. But I think I'll swap the frame for a smaller one.

At least with my broken knee, I'll have plenty of time to clean and polish my machines, and get all my bike stuff organized!

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 31, 2008 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

Don't be discouraged

about your muscle atrophy, it's part of the deal. Your strength will return as your muscle does - keep focusing on late summer and cross season and you'll get there.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Jan 31, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions

I'm motivated

It's really just freaky how the muscle shrinks in less than a month! I haven't had any broken bones until now.

I think in the long run, as long as I didn't suffer any permanent knee injury, this might be good. It will force me to be much more structured about training this year.

-K-

by KevinK on Jan 31, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

There you go

Take the positive from the negative.

Muscle atrophy happens faster than you can imagine - or in your case, witness.

"That rug really tied the room together. "

by Drew on Feb 1, 2008 9:12 AM EST reply actions

me too!

First off, Kevin, best of luck with your rehab. Sounds like you were in a worse situation than me. Stick with it. This too shall pass.

I had my ACL repaired on the 22nd. I had my first PT session wedneday, and one today. Wednesday was, for lack of a better term, a hoot. I was also hooked up to a stimulator while doing inclined squats. Well, there was a "problem" with the stimultor. We were getting no activity from the unit, when all of a sudden, WHAM, full power! My left leg shot out like no ones business. Holy Crap! That hurt like an SOB. No damage, but it scared the crap out of me. But on the positive side, I have almost full extension, and flexion to 120 degrees. I rode the stationary cycle for about 5 minutes. The PT thought I was doing great for my first visit.

Today went better. First off, there was no malfunctioning stimulator. :) I rode the stationary for 10 minutes, the last 8 at about 50-60 RPM. I did 10 minutes on the inclined squat bench. Did some leg extension exercises with weights. And had some manipulation to loosen up the tissues at the head of the Tibia.

Best of all, the PT told me to go ahead and get on the trainer this weekend! He suggested to raise the saddle a bit to ease the pressure at the top of the stroke. But, I get to get back on the bike! I'm stoked!.

I went to the gym today to woek on some cardio. My local gym has hand cranked stationary bikes that let you get a cardio workout in, without using your legs. Kinda neat.

by johnw on Feb 1, 2008 6:58 PM EST reply actions

whoohoo!

That's great that you can get back on the bike! Are you limited in the types of riding you can do? Can you sprint, climb?

My knee is still fairly jacked up. I have been doing a limited set of exercizes to try to work on my quad. The muscle tone is coming back after only a week. Hopefully I'll start on some range-of-motion exercizes fairly soon.

-K-

by KevinK on Feb 1, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

it's all relative

I can only get on the trainer at this point, with NO resistance. Just spinning. No road work. But, it's the first step. I hope to be on the road in 2-3 weeks.

by johnw on Feb 1, 2008 10:25 PM EST up reply actions