Knee Pain (again) after crash

[aserota]

So i ploughed into a car at 20mph a week ago...

Went to hospital for scans and was told i had not broken any bones/torn ligaments etc.

I have just tried using the bike for the first time on the turbo, but my left knee wants to lock on the upstroke and therefore im not able to cycle.

I was told that it could take a good few weeks before i was back up to fitness and i should take things easy for now. Are there any stretches that are worth focusing on, during this time?

 

[Tynan]

has to be worth sing a proper physio doesn't it? I'm no expert at all but joints are complicated.

my left shoulder is still very dodgy two months after a painful off, but it'll have to wait until I can afford to see the physio, google told me repeatedly to see a specialist first before trying anything

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I sprained both knees 6 weeks ago (I promise I'll never ride in mud again, boohoo!!). I made the mistake after 2 weeks of trying to loosen up on the cross trainer and doing stretches I found on Bikeradar, then again 2 weeks after that I tried to ride the bike again. All I did was trigger it all back off again. Doctor gave me some gel 2 weeks ago and said I would 'recover quickly' as I had no major damage.

Things are very slowly improving but I doubt I'll be on a bike again before May.

What has frustrated me even more than my lack of mobility is the abscence of information on how to recover, and how long it can take. I'm going back to the doctor this week just to see if the pains I'm still getting are normal. I'm also going to ask him if he can refer me to anyone more specialised - 'wait and see' is no answer.

 

[ChrisKH]

I broke and dislocated my shoulder 15 years ago playing rugby. It's still not fully healed and I now get arthritis in the joint as a result.

There is a presumption that recovery is a given to 'accidents' these days and that recovery should be as quick as possible. I'm not saying that aserota's injury will not heal, but a week in injury terms is a very short time. I would rest it as much as possible and as Tynan said, some sessions at a physio would not hurt. If there is any damage of a long term nature or a fault they cannot correct from physio, this can be identified very quickly and they can send you back to the doctor if needs be.

 

[Will1985]

Sounds similar to mine. Best piece of advice I got from the physio was to lower the saddle and sit on the turbo turning minimum resistance. If you don't keep it mobile the knee will take a lot longer to recover. 6 weeks on, it is basically better but there is a tiny amount of residual swelling. I also had to do quite a few static exercises of stretching or tensing muscles.

 

[Mscott]

I had quite the same thing! Bad shock, but hate going to the doctor so just waited for the pain to leave!! It did!! But when I went back on my bike, my right knee wasn't working as usuall, and it was painfull! Just decide to continue with a knee support and try to force my knee to strech... Every morning and before going to bed every day I was stretching! Now I'm all fine (well almost), sometimes have a tiny pain but it won't take me off my bike!

 

[summerdays]

Hmm interesting reading ... we are all very impatient I hate the idea of not being on the bike and I was wondering if I turn up at a gym with my arm in a sling will they let me on those bikes?

I also think there isn't enough advice about what you should or shouldn't be doing. Rest yes ... but should I try to use it very lightly to keep circulation and reduce the fluid build up - I've noticed my hand is puffy even though its my elbow where the problem is.

I once injured my hand years ago and it took 8 years to heal and its only 99% now.

 

[aserota]

Im back on the turbo trainer now. I covered 1-1.5 mile distances last week and did a 8 mile distance yesterday.

Taking things really easy at the moment and i feel fine on the bike, although knee is still a bit painful at times. I guess ill just have to slowly up the distance over time