[ummbikes]

I had a shear tear cut out. I am curious if any of you have had this done and what you did to build up your strength. My range of motion is pretty good, but in a week my quads are shriveled. I'm cleared for light cycling, what ever that is. I need to build up the quads and squats are not an option.

 

[James]

I had a shear tear cut out. I am curious if any of you have had this done and what you did to build up your strength. My range of motion is pretty good, but in a week my quads are shriveled. I'm cleared for light cycling, what ever that is. I need to build up the quads and squats are not an option.

I had this done a couple of years ago, and am actually going back in again in a couple of weeks. Same knee, same issue. Stupid first doctor. I'll probably be mostly on the road bike this summer, getting the strength back.
Are you going to proper PT? I had a couple of months of that, different exercises, and then they finished up by stimulating that muscle electronically for ~20 minutes. Got me back up pretty quickly. Find yourself a good, sports-oriented PT place, and they'll work wonders for you.
Good luck!

JJames

 

[Hungry_Hank]

yeah i tore mine about a year and a half ago. I went to PT twice a week for about 2 months and after that i was cleared to play lacrosse, however i am a teenager and from what i hear, we heal pretty fast. So my experience may be a little different from yours.

But i will tell you what I did at PT. First they would stretch me out and then electro-stim for 10 minutes, then step ups for about 20 minutes (god that was horrible) after that some catch with a medicine ball standing on the affected let (my right), and after that wall squats using a big red inflatable ball, and finally another stretch and 20 minutes on the electro-stim. The worst part out of it was that my doc told me not to go near a mtb untilll i was done with PT, and i didn't have a road bike so i was off of the two wheels the whole tim. It got really boring but luckily the people at the PT place were way cool so it went by fast.. but the lack of cycling really killed me..

 

[LordOpie]

I had a shear tear cut out. I am curious if any of you have had this done and what you did to build up your strength. My range of motion is pretty good, but in a week my quads are shriveled. I'm cleared for light cycling, what ever that is. I need to build up the quads and squats are not an option.

Obviously, listen to your Physical Therapist above everyone else except your Ortho doc.

That said, I suggest worrying less about strength and more about healing and reducing scar tissue. Strength will return sooner or later, but I think now's a critical time to reduce scar tissue build-up.

My comments are from my experience with meniscus -and- ACL surgery, so there ya go.

Good luck bro!

 

[Heidi]

I still can't do squats...I let cycling build back up my quad.

 

[MMcG]

cycling will be a great way to build your quad muscle back up.

that and PT really helped me.

I have a partial tear of my ACL and lateral meniscus in my left knee, but they decided I didn't need surgery and I just went through PT and did a lot of road riding last season (probably more road than trails actually) and this winter I was able to play ice hockey with no discomfort and so far my short rides in 2006 have been pretty much pain free as well.

 

[Greyhound]

....Just had the surgery 13 days ago. Yesterday was my first trail ride since then. I've been riding up the driveway and back for the last two or three days just trying to get my range of motion increased. The key, I found, is to keep everything iced down after activity for the first two weeks and you should be good to go. Standing up and peddling was a little painful as was trying any log crossing bigger than 6in., but everyday you feel just a little bit better........and especially after a light cycling session. It may be a bit sore that evening, but by morning you can really tell how working those muscles around the knee improve you stability. Take you time, and work back into it at your own pace. Some people heal faster, so don't base your recovery around any crazy time-schedule.

 

[dante]

Obviously, listen to your Physical Therapist above everyone else except your Ortho doc.

I listen to whoever says I can get back on the bike first...

 

[Quo Fan]

My girlfriend is an exercise physiotherapist, not a PT, think way more advanced, and she is curious as to why squats are out of the question. She says they are the best thing for you to do.

 

[kizzi77]

My girlfriend is an exercise physiotherapist, not a PT, think way more advanced, and she is curious as to why squats are out of the question. She says they are the best thing for you to do.

Sorry but she is NOT more advanced if she says that. I'd like to see the research on that!!!! The meniscus is placed on an increasingly compressive load with squats. If he wants to risk retearing the repair or fruther damage...then squat away.

Back to the main topic of this thread: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS INACCURATE INFORMATION. I will gladly send you MANY MANY articles on what deep squating does to the meniscii, especially following this type of surgery. This is within the first 4 weeks. After that begin to progress to squats within 0-70 degree range over the next 4 weeks.(by week 8)

Your therapist should know all this. Meniscii are very important and the rehab protocol should be followed. If your doctor does not have one and neither does your therapist, PM me and I will email some exercises and what you can do each week post-op.

good luck!