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Hey y'all,
Just over three weeks ago i managed to break my leg, just below the knee, whilst playing football with work colleagues. Rather unexpected and very much annoying. I am not much of a footballer and was borderline making up the numbers. Two days after the break i had it pinned and plated.
i had my first follow up appointment yesterday and whilst there was some good news, in that the wound is healing well, i can now bend the knee 90° and things are on the mend. I was told there will be no issue with getting back on a bike.
The downside is i was also told that i can no longer do any high impact sports. Mostly fine with that, as i dont partake in many very often, but the big kick in the nuts was I can no longer run. Certainly not long distances. With my eye on a marathon in the next 12 months, needless to say i am a touch gutted. Doc did say a casual parkrun would be ok, but anything longer and i risk getting arthritis in the knee.
whether that happens soon, or in twenty years, is unknown, but its a big risk and ideally one i want to avoid.... yet i love running.
I guess my question is, has anyone else been told they cant do X,Y or Z due to injury or future health implications? What have you done to overcome this? Something new to replace the missing activity? Or ignore the medical advice and cracked on?
I am thankful that bike riding shouldn't be impacted, as if that was a no go, i don't know what i would do. And i appreciate many folks are suffering with far more serious issues.
Do i kiss running goodbye, or try prove the doctors wrong and train for that marathon?!
Any life experience is greatly received!
I have had to give up multiday trekking because of arthritis in my feet. something I used to spend weeks doing every year. I can still cycle so thats what I do
I wouldn't ignore the doctors advice but it might be worth a discussion with a physio that understands sports
I had a bad knee injury from playing rugby when I was about 16 (snapped ligaments and smashed cartridge).
Now I’m an old bugger I can’t really ride when the temperature gets down towards zero as my knee just seizes up. It’s a bugger when you get those lovely cold, crisp winter mornings that’d be great to go out for a ride but it is what it is. Zwift and the turbo trainer indoors keep my legs moving instead in the cold dark months
Not long-term (hopefully!) but 3 months off the bike due to a broken elbow is really doing my head in. Only 2 and a half months to go 😢
Don't ever give up. Give it time to heal fully with good strength and range of motion then give it a go, see how it feels and build up slowly. IME some doctors can be very cautious. Loads of "miracle" people out there achieving great things contrary to doctor's advice.
Quite clearly, IANAD!
what was the break? Tibial plateau? Makes a big difference
Not me, but a bloke at work was told to give up cycling after significant shoulder ligament surgery. Sold all his, (really lovely but too large for me) bikes.
IMO the surgeons are only interested in not seeing their work undone. They don't consider the wider physical and mental health benefits of continuing your chosen sport. I don't think I'd forgotten cycling, I'd choose the possible risk of complications over the definite cessation of the only real type of exercise I enjoy.
what was the break? Tibial plateau? Makes a big difference
are you my doctor?! 😀
Yes it was a right tibial plateau fracture.
fixed with one plate and six screws.
Run fast and play footy and rugby due to osteoarthritis. I just talk about it now. Still got the medals and photos though.
You have a tib plateau fractre OP? I have a pinned&plated tib plateau fracture too. Nearly 3 yrs post op. haven't been told I can't do anything, but I have struggled to run and ski. Knee doesn't like the impact from running and gets stuff and uncomfortable. skiing is similar but with lots of swelling too. Currently doing some intensive physio to try to build up the knee's tolerance to impact and lateral/torsional loads, but so far not with much success. Not sure if it's the fracture or associated meniscus damage that is the issue.
Cycling is not a problem fortunately and able to do long rides on mtb and road without any issues.
your fracture might be a different prognosis to mine, but I would wait until you are a bit further down the line with your recovery before assessing if you can or can't run. and get a second opinion to understand why your doc says you won't run or play football again. One orthopod told me I'd never cycle up hills again, but was clearly wrong.
make sure you get targeted physio with a lower limb specialist to get fitness and flexibility back as quickly as your knee will allow. make sure you are getting the impact and torsional/lateral loading in there when appropriate. I got discharged by the NHS physio once I could walk again, and should have insisted on staying until I was back to my pre fracture fitness across the board.
Good luck with the recovery and kneehab. happy to share more info by dm if that would help
Thats a nasty break going thru the joint surfaces IIRC - stretching my knowledge here. Getting good function back and being able to live a normal life and cycle is a good outcome. I think his advice is wise.
Do your rehab diligently and revisit running in a year after advice from a sports physio is my advice
Im not your doctor really - just a stalker 🙂
Yep, just over 10 years ago I was really enjoying off road running, the occasional ultra and lots of mtb. My left foot started playing up and, independently, I saw a respected consultant orthopaedic surgeon and a specialist sport podiatrist. Both said the exact same thing, you’ve got X miles in those feet, decide how you want to use those miles ie continue running until it goes wrong or enjoy walking for decades. Cycling/mtb was not an issue. I had lost the ability to walk more than ~200m as a teenager and had both feet operated on. Given my history, I took the latter option and my main exercise is now cycling and decent hikes. I am thoroughly enjoying myself but I do miss the convenience of running and the camaraderie of the off road running club I was in.
A clubmate was knocked off her bike a few weeks before being due to compete in her age group at the European CX championship a few years back. Was told she might never walk again, let alone ride.
She's now racing and coaching with a local club again. Never say never
Knee doesn't like the impact from running and gets stuff and uncomfortable. skiing is similar but with lots of swelling too.
Thats the stuff that can lead to arthritis IIRC
It's why I'm here! I was told to stop running (which I was never exactly brilliant at, but I did enjoy it) because I was in constant hip pain. Cycling was fine, so I switched to that, which led to doing different sorts of cycling, which led to MTB. Stopping running did mostly stop the pain, and having got past the chronic and constant pain stage I'm able to do things like short off-road runs and the climbing wall that I couldn't do before without having a massive pain spike and being kept awake at night etc.
So, perhaps see it as a chance to try new things, and scale back the running according to doctor's orders?
Just been told the same, no high impact sports. Fine, as I cycle and am back doing it. I badly fractured my hip socket and various other parts of my pelvis so had to leave getting back on the bike until I was sure I'd healed - including breaking my 'sit bone'. Strictly speaking, I should have had the top of my leg chopped off and a new titanium and ceramic ball and socket fitted, but the A&E staff missed my breaks. Hip consultant has told me no high impact sports, no running. I said I'd just have to avoid high impact crashes on my bike - his eyes rolled.
I've also broken my spine 9 years ago, but managed to recover OK to be back on the bike. Been threatened with a new hip socket, but I'll see how long it lasts. Arthritis is a given, but hey ho, I've also got a busted spine. Cycling is good though, just don't crash.
Running is crap anyway, it's the reason bikes were invented.
100% this!Running is crap anyway, it's the reason bikes were invented.
A mate of mine shattered their ankle and lower tibia (i think) in a high speed crash, ended up at the bottom of the peloton after a bunch sprint.
Two plates, plus screws and pins. Told they'd not ride again and probably need a walking stick. took ~3 months to recover from the initial break and surgery and another 3 to find a friendly surgeon (also an ex elite cyclist) who was willing to take enough of the hardware out to allow a full range of movement, another 3 months of somewhat intense physio and training and she managed an almost full season the year after the break inc the ladies Giro, and half a dozen classics.
She's since ridden another ~10 seasons, retired, learnt to ski and run 2 or 3 marathons.
I've been on my own journey with illness and injury, and rode my bike anyway, against Drs orders.
My body keeps telling me with the aches I get constantly, the two months of sciatica back in Feb /march disappeared but so many niggly pains
Just got to adapt find alternative hobbies, my road bike runs down from 50 maybe 60 to about 15 miles in the past 5 years
Manual work is the blame
Unfortunately, this is my new specialist subject. I can echo what others have said in regard taking it easy at first but test the waters and give yourself time to recover if uncomfortable. Also the medical staff are advising rather than ordering. And see it as a chance to find something new to enjoy.
I always found walking and running too slow, unless I’m with a dog. I’ve walked maybe 20metres distance max in the last year, I hope go further but found it extremely uncomfortable.
I’ve not cycled in ages but I hope to in the future. I know I can’t ride as before and for the first time I’m afraid what will happen if I fall. But I’ll be ignoring the medical professionals (once healed) and will go by feel. And if it’s sore, I’ll tough it out. I’ll refuse to give up trying something I’ve done all my life. But…
I went to watch my boys do some indoor climbing recently, and think I would enjoy the challenge of that. I think the sort landings and a comfy seat/coffee swing it.
but anything longer and i risk getting arthritis in the knee.
Running does not cause arthritis. If you're going to get arthritis in the knee you'll get it whether you run or not. Get a second opinion.
With arthritis, especially post accident, doing high impact will likely speed the process up - e.g. I've been told I will get arthritis in my hip socket now as I've broke it into bits, but if it heals well (and smooth) and I don't go running, I should get away without having to have a new hip just yet.
Funny I was only thinking about this today . Back in 2009 I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and they discovered some crushed vertebrae in my spine. I was advised to never ride a bike off road again even though I'd just bought a full suspension frame instead specialist advised taking up jogging especially on hard surfaces as that would help load my spine ! 🤔
I spoke to my GP he knew how much the riding meant to me and a specialist Osteoporosis nurse both agreed carry on but be careful as the negative mental impact would be far worse.
Since then I've done a season in Whistler and ridden in some of the worlds top MTB destinations ! Yesterday while my E Bike was in for a service I rode my hardtail 20 miles on the Quantocks and cleaned a climb I never thought I would be able to do under my own steam ever again! The typical sort of ride I was told I shouldn't do on a full suspension 16 years ago 💪
Other end of the leg but similar thing. I've fractured my talus, the bearing surface in the ankle.
After 6 months, I've been told I'll probably get arthritis in 15 to 20 years but I should try running as part of my rehab. I was told pain should be my guide. A little uncomfortable during or just after is fine. Prolonged pain or sharp pain, stop.
Might be worth a second opinion.
I wouldn't ignore the doctors advice but it might be worth a discussion with a physio that understands sports
This, or a doctor who does sports medicine. The advice you'll get from a sports specialist might be very different (but might not).
My body keeps telling me with the aches I get constantly, the two months of sciatica back in Feb /march disappeared but so many niggly pains
Sciatica is splendid, isn't it? Injured my back at work in 2021, still not right.
Er... yep
Crushed t12.... and then...
Full hip replacement... told light cycling. Been the alps, raced enduro badly.
Your body will know what it can and cant do.
Do the ****ing phsysio
Running does not cause arthritis. If you're going to get arthritis in the knee you'll get it whether you run or not. Get a second opinion.
after a fracture like that that actually goes thru the load bearing surfaces it can do. Just running may only speed up the process a little, after a significant injury to the joint it could be a lot. Its the constant high impact. Osteoarthritis is wear and tear
This, or a doctor who does sports medicine.Or even one who understands sports. Standard response to "it hurts when i do this" is "don't do that then, take two asprin and come back in a month if it still hurts". Unless they can understand, or want to understand, the full framing of what "this/that" is and why you do it, you've got no chance!
That too.Do the ****ing phsysio
specialist advised taking up jogging especially on hard surfaces as that would help load my spine !
This is apparently good advice. It is the loading/unloading that stimulates bone growth. Skipping is also good. Walking helps a bit if you don't dawdle.
Hit by car whilst on a bike - badly broken hip (amongst other injuries).
Told by surgeons before they went in to try to repair it all, that they may not be able to do a good job and would lose functionality. Oh and id have a permanent limp. Their job wasnt to get me back to where i was, it was to get me 'functional'.
After surgery, found a good physio, who actually contacted the surgeon, and they worked together to create a physio plan.
Fast forward to today, on the bike as normal, no limp and 95% back to where i was. However I lost the ability to run (too painful) and some range of motion.
So as a previous poster said 'Do the f**** physio'.
@greyspoke The walking bit is a mystery, after the diagnosis I read up on Osteoporosis and how to try and prevent it ( stable door horse etc 🙄) two of the main things were vitamin D from sunlight and plenty of walking, I'd been a postman on delivery for over 20 years by then! When I asked how they explained that the answer was good job you had or else it could be a lot worse!
This resonates - I've had knee and ankle surgeries in the last couple of years. The knee in particular - is an absolute bastard. Was supposed to be a meniscus trim and away you go... but am in all sorts of bother now with all manner of things. I have to be realistic. It hurts like hell when I overdo it... so have come to terms with the fact that I won't be running long distance or skiing all day every day when I get to the alps.
I think moderation is the key. I cannot run now. But am still competing on the bike and even an aquathon this weekend (2/3 of a triathlon, without the running) - so I try to focus on what I can rather than can no longer do.
Also, find the best knee guy in your area and get a second opinion, if you have the ability to access private cover. If you do go back to marathons - could be a partial knee replacement or osteotomy of some sort. But there are lots of conservative options to try first.
I suppose the short answer is that i have been injured out of activities. Running and climbing in my 20. Kind of got the climbing back in my 40s. Tried running in my 50s and found i had knackered cartlidge in one knee.
I was a terrible patient through lots of injuries. If you can’t run you have to find the positives else where. More cycling or kayaking etc. You gain nothing by focusing on what you can’t do.
As others have said. Speak to someone with sports medicine experience - particularly if they have experience of your sport
Do the physio - really do it, it's laborious and takes time but massively helps. I've been injured a lot over the years but have a really good sports physio and he's got me to a good place - not perfect but I'm nearly 60. Without it I think I'd be much more limited.
I've had two 'you should never run again' conversations with doctors. The first - Achilles - I didn't run for 9 months and then did the equivalent of a C25K program but doing each week twice. It's never bothered me since. The second - knee - just needs a bit of management i.e. knowing when I've done too much so doing a bit less.
I'm running a half marathon over the bridge between Denmark and Sweden on Sunday and it will be being old, fat and unfit that holds me back, not those two injuries.
I still get a bit upset when I think about how the last fit/healthy me (since '17) ride I did was on Queen Liz's funeral day in '22. For just over five years, I used to regular head out for 2-5 hours and usually go as fast as my heart/legs could get me up at least three Strava categorised climbs of approx 265-650 feet. Typically 8-15 hours riding a week, on top of being one of the fastest walkers at my postie depot.
Then covid got me good and covid clinic in '23 told me I had to do 30mins exercise max per day at very light intensity. I managed the odd longer ride in late '23 and '24, no hill intervals, but often had a post ride fatigue crash for days or even weeks. Weight went back up from 80Kg to as high as 98Kg (higher than '14 to '16 when it piled on after a bike RTA) and 20min threshold went from ~4W/Kg aged 48 to ~2.3W/Kg on a really good day (that I'd usually pay for in PEM). Had to take ill health retirement and I've not worked since.
I then discovered hire ebikes at Longleat Center Parcs that could be taken off campus in September '24 and March this year, before finding a bargain GT eGrade Bolt at PaulsCycles in April. Despite having 5.5 weeks of being ill from two respiratory infections in the last nine weeks, it's been great to get out on regular 20+ mile rides again to the hills and not suffer post exercise malaise. If I can stay healthy now for the rest of the summer, hopefully I can lose some weight and get a bit of stamina, to take my normal road bike back into the hills either this year or next.
thanks you so much to all the replies. Plenty to digest.
A specialist physio is on the cards. I will start researching and see who is in my local area (Worthing if anyone can recommend).
I am very motivated and want to get back on the bike asap (without over doing it). The Doc said a positive mental attitude is half the battle, which i defo have.
Its also very positive to hear so many have 'defied the odds' and managed to do things the doc's said not to.
And if i cant run properly again, as many have said, i will find something new... or just ride my bike even more.
Again, thanks to all for sharing.
After breaking my back while snowboarding nearly 10yrs ago, the docs told me I would absolutely suffer from arthritis in the future. However, my GP, who knows me and the activities I enjoy pointed out the costs benefits balance of what could / would happen in the future versus the health benefits, both physical and mental of continuing with my favourite sports. As it is, any climb on the bike that lasts more than 10-15 minutes is exceedingly painful, and has been so since I got back on. Like someone twisting a knife into the lower left hand side of my back. But I have an e-bike now for the longer rides with bigger climbs. The e-bike removes most of the stress on my back while climbing. I ski now, rather than snowboard. Although that's more of a fear of the consequences of getting it wrong again rather than anything to do with my dodgy back.
Nowadays, I'm very much a squeeze life by it's tender bits and worry about the possible consequences later. Jeez, 10 years ago I was worried about having an arthritic back and then bowel cancer damn near got me during the Covid lockdown. I think the best advice, as has been said above, would be too talk to your GP and a sports physio to get a better idea of what would be best for you and your future activity expectations.
Having got through two major accidents on the bike (spine and hip/pelvis) I'm still carrying on riding. Hip seems to have recovered remarkably well, so I'll worry about a new one in many years. I'm missing half my L1 (cheese wedge shape) but it still enables me to touch my toes still, and ride my 'race' road bikes. See what the GP/physio says.
Recently had a DEXA scan for bone density - came back fine. They scanned my lower spine and my hip. Couldn't get an accurate reading from my spine as the vertebrae were denser/more calcified than normal due to the previous breaks - gave too high a reading due to the extra healing following the fractures. Interesting and proves a point that fractured bones heal harder.
For those with arthritis, Runners World have published a very informative article. I have recently been diagnosed with ostioarthritis in my knee which has been exasperated by having about 20% of my meniscus removed 8 years ago. I had a very depressing meeting with the consultant who recommended stopping running, hiking, and cycling - the three sports I've been doing all my life. I paid for a private consultant for a second opinion, I knew he was a keen cyclist and runner and of a similar age ( 60 ). He totally agreed with my diagnosis but gave me very different advise. Keep cycling, don't do big full on week long hikes, and run but lower the volume and intensity. Use RICE, Voltoral max strength and paracetamol. And accept your age / condition, and that you will need a new partial knee replacement as some point. There has been some great advice in this thread - the ones that stands out for me are reducing the volume / load to keep going for longer, look for new hobbies and to get a second opinion from someone you trust. Good luck OP and to all the posters in similar situations, this thread deserves a sticky considering the demographic of this forum!
Running.With Achilles Tendonitis I don't think it would be a good idea
I've had to give up XC racing. Had an accident a few months back which resulted in blood tests that show I have some form of glucose/metabolic/adrenaline issue, no idea if it can be fixed but advised to stop racing but I can still ride bikes. I also have a herniated disk which isn't getting much better.
V7fmp I am in MidSussex, have been using Kevin Hall as my physio, he's in Hove. DrP who is on here has also used him in the past. Seems pretty useful. He is a cyclist so knows what's good, and has been getting me more mobile, but I am taking it slowly.
V7fmp I am in MidSussex, have been using Kevin Hall as my physio, he's in Hove. DrP who is on here has also used him in the past. Seems pretty useful. He is a cyclist so knows what's good, and has been getting me more mobile, but I am taking it slowly.
thanks for the tip. There are a couple of highly regarded ones in my local area too.
Had my first NHS physio appointment yesterday, which went well. gave me some basic exercises to do. Then from friday i can start to put weight on it. So looking forward to that. Will hopefully feel like decent progress then.
It is interesting how each person/department has different takes on the injury. The Doc/specialist was 'defo back on a bike, no worries', whereas the physio was more 'lets see if we can get you back on a bike'. I appreciate they have to be cautious and try and limit damage.
@claudie thats interesting, probably much like i mentioned above, giving low expectations so we dont go run a marathon and complain we hurt/have issues!