Injured and pissed off

[ace]

Hi guys,

Just voicing my frustration here. The last several months have been really tough for me- a break of a relationship (I was dumped), working crazy hours (billed 110 hours/wk for about a month)...the only thing that has kept me semi-sane has been my beloved bike. I got really into biking this year, and was planning on riding the Cinderella, plus going on a week long bike tour of Tuscany next May.

So of course, I was at the gym with my personal trainer several weeks ago, he was having me do lunges in a studio, and some moron had spilled water on the floor. I slipped and fell rather spectacularly, and twisted and majorly banged my knee, and was basically non-ambulatory for a couple of weeks. Now I'm walking with some pain, but much better. An MRI showed no permanent damage, the pain is due to sinovitis probably, which is swelling of the tissue in the knee (though my doc says I have mod-severe wear on the cartilage in my knee caps, but this likely pre-existed the injury and never really gave me problems- I was doing 5 hour rides with no knee pain). I got on my trainer for the first time since my accident, rode 5 minutes at very low tension, and afterwards was in some serious pain.

I am just so pissed....I need to exercise, specifically to ride, to stay sane. I signed up for both the Cindy and the bike tour anyway, my doc says I should be fine in a few months. But I'm frustrated. I think I'm going to start swimming this weekend, maybe that'll be easier on my knee, and I can work up to the bike in a couple of weeks.

I know my problem isn't huge in the grand perspective, but I feel really thwarted.

Thanks for listening!
Amy

[Crankin]

I had a similiar injury when I first started cycling. I crashed when my son was passing a water bottle to me. There was a huge hematoma, but no real damage. After 2-3 weeks I did start swimming and doing some specific stretching exercises, along with alternating ice and heat. I was back cycling in about 4-5 weeks. Just be careful!

[Blueberry]

working crazy hours (billed 110 hours/wk for about a month)...

Amy-

I'm guessing you're a lawyer?? I've been in the same boat lately (work wise, that is...thankfully, no injuries)

Sorry to hear about the injury and problems. Be kind to yourself. Working those kind of hours is hard enough on the body without anything else - how do you even manage to find time to ride?! So...take it easy...do what doesn't hurt, and let your body heal! And come vent here anytime - we understand

Carrie Anne

[ace]

Hey Carrie Anne-

Very good guess. I am a lawyer, but don't work as one anymore. But I'm a technical consultant in the lit support field, so we work lawyerly hours. I actually only rode once during those 100+ hour weeks, and I was so distracted, I forgot to unclip and had a nice little fall (scrapes only)!

Right now work is slow, so I could be out there spinning in the crisp fall air....but hey, I think the trick is to appreciate what I have, and I have so much (compared to most people). I just gotta remember when I get back out there and am struggling up the hills that I'm lucky I'm healthy enough to be on my bike!

Thanks for your good wishes,
Amy

[DeniseGoldberg]

Amy -
I would bet you have plenty of time to heal and to get (back) into great shape for both the Cinderella and your spring tour. I agree with Robyn based on my own experience. Give yourself some time off the bike - your plan to start swimming sounds like a good one. Then add riding back in (easy to start) once your knee starts to feel better. Time is your friend.

This is definitely a good place to vent, isn't it?
Sending healing wishes your way...

--- Denise

[Bikingmomof3]

Amy,
Give yourself time to heal. If swimming does not cause pai or delay your recovery then I say go for it. You will be ready for the Cindi ride. I understand what it feels like to be grounded from riding. I turned to running. It will all work out in the end. Come and vent anytime. Wishing you a quick healing period.

[mary9761]

Mine isn't a knee injury (this time around anyways) but I'm off the bike for an undetermined time due to a back injury of some sort that includes sciatic pain down the right leg. I just started 60mg of prednisone for 5 days (PLEASE let it ONLY be 5 days) and I'm having withdrawel with spazz out from the prednisone. I don't feel your EXACT pain, but having cycling being my lifeline to sanity, THAT I feel!!
Good luck!