WonderMonkey

I had a recent knee operation. The last few years my calf/knee would get whacked out with activity. I did five rides last week, all under 5 miles, and so far things have held up. I've gone at an easy pace, good gearing, etc. and such. Tonight I'll go a bit further. I COULD have gone further but I am looking to try and EASE back into things and just see how it goes with the rest of the riding season.

If things continue to go well I'll put a 100 miler on the books for next Fall and train towards it as soon as I get outdoors in the Spring.

I'm excited.

ChiefTJS

Awesome! Planning to do a hundred next year myself, thankfully I have no issues other than being out of shape.

WonderMonkey

I hope that will be my only actual issue that I have to be overly concerned about.

I'm writing an article on how to prepare for an Imperial Century. Other articles exist, but only a few of them go from the POV of a clyde.

gutter007

That's awesome!.

I've had similar issues after my surgery. They cleaned up cartilage from the back of my knee cap. It took awhile to get going. These things helped me.

1. Higher cadence, lower resistance. The harder I push on the pedals the more my knees hurt.
2. Your knee will hurt. Ice, Advil, and not forcing things too hard is your friend. A little pain is ok, ultimately you'll be able to go longer and longer with less pain.
3. Everyone's body is different, and injuries and recoveries can vary widely from person to person ... so don't put too much on jokers like me.

keep kicking butt.

myles.

banjaboy

Im 2 years post double knee replacement. Left done then a year later the right one replaced. Now im well and truly back on the bike, pain free knee wise, got to get my bike legs back in shape but man, it feels so good to be back in the saddle again. I could barely walk, riding was relatively pain free at the time but now, Im born again!!!

cyclist2000

Wow, that's great. I'm looking at TKR surgery in the future. What was your recovery time? Are you riding the mountain bike on trails?

banjaboy

Hi Cyclist!!!!!!! TKR is a big surgery, its not just physical, its mental. You are pretty well helpless for a week or two and you feel you will never recover but of course you do. Physio is EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! I went twice a week and did a routine on the days I didnt have physio. Spin bike did it for me, 2 times 30 mins a day as soon as initial swelling went down. Get yourself an ice machine, An Osser was the best, Bregg is okay too. Recovery time........thats a toughie, I would say 2 months before the swelling was under control and I could sleep. I was a quick recovery according to the doc and physiotherapist. Range of motion is everything, especially to ride a bike. Take your pain meds before you do your physio, no point going into it in pain. I had opiates for a week then went on strong over the counter meds. BUT................Regardless of the hard recovery, the freedom from pain I have now is worth every minute of temporary pain from surgery. I never was a hard core trail rider, Im more road bike but got into mountain bike to keep active through the winters here in Canada. I am a gentle trail rider but thats not because of my knees its my guts lol!!!!!!! you dont want to be too stupid as a fall might really do you in. Thats my fear, breaking a leg coming off lol!!!! So, get the knee done, you will NEVER regret it, might have some bad days but each day it gets better, believe me!