Exercising with a knee injury

happychica89

Hello all ,
My name is Sarah and I'm 25 but recently I have injured my knee due to fall which caused a tear to meniscus : ( So my dilemma is that it is getting in the way of working out! Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get a full body work out with out using one of your legs ? PLEASE HELP!! Thanks in advance

SonyaCele

i used the TRX a lot wheni first injuried my knee and then i finally gave up and had to do a whole lifestyle change, and change everything about the way i exercise. I bench a lot, that's full body when you do it right. My lower half has suffered, but thats the way it is with knee injuries.

AnnPT77

There are people who use a rowing machine with only one leg (amputees). But it's important to get instruction - most people do it wrong, and find it hard to get a good workout as a result. (There are good videos at concept2.com if you can't find a qualified instructor.)

I have a torn meniscus (old), and have found I can do things that involve straight hinge-type motions with the knee, as long as there's no major impact or torque on the joint. Your mileage may vary on that point, but you may find that, after some initial recovery steps, there are some things you can do.

I can row (machine or on water) and bike (indoor or road). I nearly always ice my knee after I do either one, or after a lot of walking.

Things that have helped my torn meniscus pain: (1) Getting prescribed physical therapy to help me learn how to put less day-to-day stress on it (they looked at how I was moving, and helped me change how I walk, and especially how I climb stairs). (2) Icing after exercise. (3) Cortisone shot when the pain got bad enough to wake me up at night (One shot, over a year ago - haven't had to repeat due to (1), (2), and weight loss.)

AsISmile

Did you consult a physical therapist yet?
He should be able what is safe to do.

happychica89

Thank you all for your help !! I will be seeing a Knee specialist tomorrow but I will definetley take into consideration all the advice I have gotten.

acpgee

After ankle surgery I had to be strictly non weight bearing for several weeks. I was given crutches and a walking frame. Hopping behind either on your one good leg is incredibly strenuous. According to my HRM, my burn was as high as my regular workout on the elliptical. The burn rate for "walking on crutches" in the MFP was spot on for me. That entry was made by someone on my FL who calibrated it to her HRM.

thereshegoesagain

I have a meniscus tear in my left knee. A year ago I had surgery to repair it but I still have the same pain. My surgeon told me that I need a knee replacement, I told him to get lost.
I started swimming and doing exercises which have no twisting motion in my knee and started taking some supplements, which I had my GP approve.
I went to France and was able to walk 10-12 miles on cobblestones day after day. My knee would swell up and be a bit sore in the evenings, but by morning it felt fine.
My sister in law also had bad results from meniscus repair surgery, got on the supplements and also had great results. I know it didn't cure the injury, but I am feeling so much better because of them
I don't know if it's allowed or not for me to post the list and dosage that I'm taking, but if anyone can confirm it is ok, I will post them later today.

KyriaCathy

I have two minor tears on my left knee. Happened last June (2014). By August (2014) I couldn't walk without pain and there was noticeable swelling. MRI showed arthritis along with the two tears. Doc (and second opinion Doc) told me to hold off on the meniscus repair surgery because I wouldn't feel any difference due to the arthritis. Both suggested, lose weight, strengthen the supporting muscles, cortisone shorts (properly spaced), as needed for pain and inflammation (max 3) followed by injections of artificial synovial fluid (max 6) prior to authorizing knee replacement. Finally went back for a cortisone shot in February (2015) and haven't need another one yet (August 2015). I have been doing the exercises to strengthen my thighs, hips and calves. I'm back to run/walking and happy!! This case hasn't fully played out yet but I am happy to be active again. See a Doc, get a second opinion if desired, and follow your Doc's orders!

gentlygently

Swimming helps build the support muscles to your knee (one reason I started...) and also you can do swimming drills that rely on minimal kick, and work out your upper body instead (think doing front crawl or breast Stoke with the most minimal of front crawl kicks)

Good luck

GlenzioFitness

My left knee always used to dislocate, but wasn't doing to bad when I was training until it dislocated whilst being on the leg extension machine So I skipped a couple of leg days for a bit just to try get over it and ever since going back to doing leg days I've not really had any problems except my knee joints aching quite badly occasionally when doing squats.