exercise while injured

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Meglep24
Meglep24 Posts: 270 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I tore either my Meniscus or ACL (waiting on an MRI) a few weeks ago. Ive had to completely stop playing soccer and hockey and basically all forms of exercise since then. Does anyone have any exercises I would still be able to do with this injury? I am going stir crazy!!!!

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  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
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    I'd consult with a doctor on that one
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
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    Unfortunately you probably shouldn't do anything until you get your MRI results, a diagnosis, and advice from your doctor. In theory, you might be able to swim or ride a stationary bike. But really your doctor will tell you what you can/can't do once they figure out the extent of your injury, and the course of treatment.

    Good Luck!
  • aliackerman
    aliackerman Posts: 29 Member
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    There are a wide variety of chair exercises that you can do for strengthening your upper body. You can also work on your core with situps and crunches.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
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    Some gyms have arm bikes available.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
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    Well, it all depends on how bad the tear is. I tore my meniscus and was still able to ride the stationary bike (I had a minor tear). The stationary bike and swimming are both actually great for recovery and are the two main forms of exercise physical therapists recommend to their ACL/meniscus patients.

    I think it's best for you to wait to get the MRI results back and ask your orthopedist to refer you to a physical therapist who can give you proper exercises for treatment.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
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    Wait for the MRI. You don't want to injure it any more, or cause swelling that they will have to wait to reduce in order to fix it.

    I tore my meniscus, my son obliterated his ACL in football. I hope that you have done neither of these!

    Maybe ask if you can work your upper body, lat pull downs, rows, back , seated biceps and triceps.

    Best of luck to you.
  • Go_Mizzou99
    Go_Mizzou99 Posts: 2,628 Member
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    I am waiting for an operation on the 21st...nothing to do but wait. No nothing ... no golf - no cycling - no gym (I have an inguinal hernia)

    I am - however - actively planning my recovery routine from 2 to 8 weeks after surgery (and a doc ok) to get back into the swing of things.

    My goal is a 3 hour bike ride by the end of September/beginning of October to a small town on the KATY trail - eat lunch - and then decide whether to cycle or throw my bike in the truck and drive back.
  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
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    As someone who's had three knee surgeries in the past 4 years, exercise is really limited with ACL injuries, and only slightly less so with meniscus (assuming they're serious enough to require surgery).
    Hopefully you'll get lucky and have a minor meniscus tear that should gradually heal.

    When I was waiting for/having/between surgeries, I did some strength training, but basically anything where you're in a seated position, that doesn't put weight through your leg/knee. So for the most part I was always allowed to bike (recumbent only), just the speed and duration I was allowed to do changed.

    I'm sure you'll get an athletic therapist/physio therapist at some point in the near future and they'll give you a very specific idea of what you can and can't do for your specific injury. Do what they say because it's really not worth it to have bad knees for life.

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