Knee injury - have to wait for treatment. Any exercises I can do in the mean time?

[Sylvia]

I crashed my bike a couple of years ago and injured my knee. It didn't hurt but the knee swelled up pretty good and I found that I couldn't put weight on that leg without locking my knee. Otherwise it would just collapse. I went in to see the doctor the next day and they took Xrays and found that I had fractured my tibia. The doctor said that I was very fortunate that the fracture hadn't sheered to the left or right (because most of this type do) or it would have required surgery. Immediately, I was put in a wheelchair and told not to put any weight on that leg until it healed (it was 6-8 weeks). I didn't get any cast, just time in the wheelchair. I think the doctor was concerned that putting weight on it might worsen it and possibly cause it to sheer.

After a certain period of time (I don't recall the exact length of time maybe 4-6 weeks), the doctor had me see a physical therapist who gave me leg exercises to strengthen the muscles. I was told cycling would help strengthen the knee so of course once I was allowed out of the wheelchair, I was back on an indoor bike and then on my regular bike.

When the accident first happened, I wasn't in any pain. The knee was extremely swollen and my leg couldn't bear any weight if it was bent. So I didn't anticipate a fracture or wheelchair time but I knew something was definitely messed up.

When possible, I would see a doctor as soon as you are able.