Torn ACL and MCL, any advise?

[bmccasland]

Rchan,
First the bad news - you may need to give up on Cycle Oregon this year. Rehabing your knee is more important.

I tore my MCL and partially tore the ACL in a bike wreck last year. Did 12 wks of PT, which was so much fun. My PT even pointed out the atrophy from non-use when I first started. When I was finally approved to ride - on bike trails, not on streets, to lessen the risk of falling again - I still didn't have a happy knee.

Good news is that there is recovery.

yeah, and I need to call an orthopod here because a year later, and a cross-country move, my knee let me know that the twist I did while playing a game of chase with the cat was not a smart thing to do.

[Trek420]

Sorry about the tear before the big ride. I have a torn ACL & MCL on both knees in addition to other boo boo's (broken back, won't bore you with the list) I did the Ca AIDS Lifecycle ride a bunch of times. No surgery for me. I don't want it but also it's not a good option for me.

I wear a brace when doing anything with a lot of lateral movement (martial arts) but nowhere else. Certainly not on the road bike. Good news is by strengthening all the surrounding muscles I'm pain and popping free. Bad news is I have to do that for the rest of my active life. Good news is I like working out. Yeah, TE!!

There is life and long rides after a torn ACL, you just have to work hard at it to stabilize the knee.

[crazycanuck]

R, I tore my MCL quite nicely & ruptured my PCL all at the same time a few years back.

All i can say is- you can get back into biking once nicely healed. When they mention 6 weeks healing time, they mean it, possibly a wee bit longer depending. Don't fret & keep yourself moving in that time.

Swimming was the only thing that I could do whilst off my bike & all that kept me from going insane.

[Rchan]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm quite devastated and can hardly stop crying. The pain is nothing. I've become so obsessed with cycling and working towards cycle Oregon for 2 yrs now. Never before in my life have I had a hard time making a decision, whether to just get it done, which means no cycle Oregon, or do what is probably impossible, to power thru it, hope for a brace that holds me together and take the sag wagon if needed. I don't have to decide yet, can't have surgery until swelling is better anyway.
Rationally I know there will always be a next event, does not seem to help my despair right now. Being a physician I am fully aware there are much worse things that happen everyday, still I cry.
Thanks for listening.

[Kiwi Stoker]

That's something the docotors don't tell you about serious injuries- the grief you get from the good health you have lost (temporary or permanently), the total loss of the cycling high, especially with all you friends sre doing an event and the worry and fear. I had even decided NOT to go to a big race and be a supporter I was so upset. However I managed to find a strong rider who wanted to ride it on a tandem, so with my wrecked shoulder it was the ideal solution.

Things I found which helped.

If you belong to a cycle club or coffee ride group- go and have coffee after the ride with them. Yes you didn't get to ride, but there is no one else who knows what you are feeling than a cyclist. Don't lose contact.

If you feel up to it, volunteer to be a marshal, supporter, drink hand outer. That way you are THERE and people will appreciate it.

If you knee allows it, go to spin classes, just use easy gears and don't stand. Or invite friends over to do a wind trainer session together and have a drink or two afterwards.

OK it time to switch gears and change your goals. Not nice I know, but you will be on the bike again!

[NbyNW]

Rchan, this board is a great place to come for emotional support when recovering from a serious injury. Lots of empathetic eyes here who have first hand experience with the highs and lows of the healing process. Welcome to TE and keep checking in!

I love Kiwi stoker's advice. A great way to still be around the sport you love, you'll probably meet some new and interesting people, too. Let the experience surprise you!

I don't know if this injury will be keeping you off your feet/off work for an extended period of time, but if it does, it can help to find a new focus, even a temporary one. I think there are at least a couple of threads here where people have shared what they did while laid up. Some people learn a new language, plan a trip, learn a new craft, etc.

When you are ready, you can also look into what exercises you can continue to do in order to keep your core and upper body strong. That way you won't be starting from scratch as the knee gets healthier.

Good luck, sending healing vibes your way.