I need advise about exercising with injuries

Mgregory723
Mgregory723 Posts: 529 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,
I need some advise about exercising with a re-torn Meniscus in my left knee, a bad right ankle, and a back that has spasms if I stand or sit to long, I really would like to exercise. I have lots of weight to lose and any idea's will be welcome!

Thank you
~Melissa~

Replies

  • sarahg148
    sarahg148 Posts: 701 Member
    What about swimming? Maybe doing some resistance on parts of the body that aren't injured? If you belong to a gym, talk to a trainer. I'm guessing as you lose weight, the pain should also feel a bit less. Does biking bother your knee? Elliptical bother it? I've never torn a meniscus so I don't know what would and wouldn't aggrivate it. Maybe ask your doctor what you could do. Is the tear so bad where you need surgery, or just rest and PT...it really depends. Sorry if I didn't really help, lol. Get some free weights and maybe do arm exercises and core work (planks, crunches, etc). I did those things when I broke my ankle, years ago. Good luck!
  • SutapaMukherji
    SutapaMukherji Posts: 244 Member
    Swimming?
  • dkhuff1
    dkhuff1 Posts: 67 Member
    I can totally relate. 2 bad knees and a ruptured disk in my back. Listen to your body. If something hurts your joints, don't do it. But you need to understand the difference between muscle pain and joint pain because you may get sore as you work muscles.
    Water aerobics can also be good and gentle. I've started mountain biking as the position is easier on my back than road biking and becuae you move around a lot on the bike so you aren't only in one position. Also consider pilates--- this is usually good for bad backs and really helps to strengthen the core which REALLY helps a sore back. Last, some weight training would be good but work with a trainer who is knowledgable in working with your injuries. And if you are doing something that repeatedly really makes you sore in your joints or ack-- stop doing it.

    Example-- walking at an incline on a treadmill really hurt my knees and shins. But I could do much harder cardio without a problem n other machines. Turns out that for me, the trampolining effect of the treadmill really aggravated my knee issues. So I cut that out and did stair climbing instead which did not bother me.

    Another thing you could try is mixing up your cardio in one session. Do 10 minutes on the bike, then 10 minutes on an elliptical then 10 minutes on stair climber or a treadmill. That way you aren't spending to much time sitting or standing n a workout.
    Good luck
  • Mgregory723
    Mgregory723 Posts: 529 Member
    I am currently using the pool at daughter's apartments. It is low impact and I do enjoy swimming. I do not have the funds to go to the gym at this time, so I was trying other things at home. Walking seems to work, but I cannot walk far before my knee, hip and back start hurting, however if I can sit for a few minutes, I can go again. I try to spend 3 hours in the pool everyday. Thank you for responding to me. ~Melissa~

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