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I have Suspected torn knee ligaments, doctor seems to think so anyhow, just waiting on a referral to a specialist, it doesn't feel that bad, walking is fine but when I twist or walk down stairs it's pretty painful, also sometimes it feels like it's giving way on me. The problem is I cycle to work daily which is a 24 mile round trip, flatish and on roads. Can I still cycle or would I be doing more damage??
IANADr
but yes your knee ligaments will be used to cycle and the commute is unlikely to aid repair
Did you not ask the Dr?
Did they not advise rest ?
Are you just asking till someone says it will be fine and carry on - i did this once with an eye op and football so not a dig.
Probs best asking doctor or physio tbh mate.
Having said that I tore my acl a few years ago (only discovered when I had keyhole last October and they found a load of scar tissue) and I didn't stop doing anything, however it was regularly giving way etc. (had loads of trouble) I spoke to the physio and they seemed to encourage cycling (especially non gnarcore off-road) as it helps build up the muscles around the knees without the impact of running and jogging so I'd say you'll be alright with commuting.
A good friend had a minor ACL tear last year. Ignored it, kept on riding, pushed it until he could barely walk. He's now had 9 months off the bike, 1.5 months off work following a big op to clean up the mess that is his knee. He's doing vey gentle exercise bike routines to try to get some movement back.
YMMV of course, his knee is not your knee.
OR
Carry on you'll be fine. IANAMedicalProfessional.
might be worth putting your hand in your pocket and ring around local sports physio's asking if they have anyone who specialises in cycling injuries or better if you can get a recommendation
GP's are GP's and deal with all sorts and if pushed will simply go safe in my opinion
a good physio may (will?) decline to diagnose but should be able to give you the answer to "what shouldn't I do" with a range of suspect diagnoses while wait to see a specialist
edit and good luck!
if money is an issue tell the physio up front not looking to months of stretches/massage etc just want to know what to do not to make worse in short term
It's probably best to get it checked out. I torn my ACL (MRI confirmed) and I was lucky that my knee never started giving way so I just rested it completely and slowly started cycling again. 17 years later it still seems to be fine for cycling (110 miles yesterday anyway).
See a physio/ Orthopod who'll do some physical tests (probably only basic laxity stuff) and get a fair idea for the issue. Then (or at the same time), really push for an MRI or stump up ~£200 if the waiting list is huge. It is the only way to get a proper diagnosis of the knee trouble.
I would personally rest until I know what is up with the knee. Ploughing on for the sake of it when you are in a lot of pain won't do anything to help but can only really either do nothing, or do more damage. No-one can advise you which of those two outcomes are most likely without a decent physical assessment and MRI.
I'd rest and think long term and be extremely pro-active in trying to get to the bottom of your pain and be extremely pro-active in receiving the correct treatment/ advice in a timely manner.
IANAD but have been through similar things with knees myself and learned the hard way that waiting over a year for an MRI and trying to carry on regardless wasn't the optimal thing to be doing
Worth going down a double track.
Do the private MRI / physio appointment by all means but also register with the GP to get the NHS process underway. At least then if you need some sort of repeat treatment over the next few months, you have a place in the queue. And let them know if you're happy to down tools and take up cancelled appointments at short notice - we saved ourselves several £100s and jumped even the private queue this way.
I'm on the waiting list to see a specialist but it's at least 3 weeks wait if not longer,
I spoe with my gp about carrying on cycling and she said that I should be ok but try not to twist, I thought I would ask on here as my gp is pretty damn old,
I think I'll rest till I see the specialist
I completely broke my ACL in 1983 and bust the other one in 2013. There was no doubt there was something serious wrong ! There are lots of ligaments in your knees so only a specialist can help. Doesn't sound like you are too bad or you'd know it !
Do you have any swelling ? If so definitely buy a re-freezable ice bag and ice it a number of times a day. Resting is definitely plan A. You can go some simple excersizes to keep your muscle - even simple straight leg raises or putting a rolled up towel under your knee and move your toes back and tighten your quad. Lots of reps, tighten and rest, repeat. Build up to 100.
How is your walking ? I would suspect gentle xc type cycling is fine, the danger is if you crash and jar/twist your knee.
I snapped my ACL and badly tore my MCL in a ski accident a couple of years ago. Advice from both surgeon and physio was to cycle as much as possible both pre and post op to build up muscle strength - all subject to it not being painful. I bought a turbo and watched lots of films!!
I agree with Jambalaya above re other exercises - loads of vids on youtube.
Weirdly I tore my ACL in 1983 playing rugby. Never been a problem cycling but I would never use clipless pedals because of needing to twist to get in/out. Can't walk two miles without limping but can cycle 50 without feeling it.
Ice packs are also your friend.
I'm gonna start riding with flats again,
Thanks again for all your help and advice
As a physio my advice would be to try it and if it hurts or makes it worse stop, if it doesn't then fill your boots. Rehab would consist of strength and balance work anyway.
So should I change from clipless to flats??
Never really ride with flats before, always used clipless
Either or. But remember that there is absolutely heehaw float with flat pedals.