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Exercise ideas post knee surgery?

gatogal1
gatogal1 Posts: 1 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,
I had a menicus repair and lcl reconstruction 12wks ago and due to the nature of the injury/surgery can't do a lot of cardio yet. I can do about 15 minutes on the bike.
I lift upper body and my other leg. And do my PT stuff.
Anyone go through something similar? What did you do for exercise?
It's like being the turtle in the race and definitely frustrating.

Answers

  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,770 Member
    Ask your doctor when you can start walking for exercise again. Also whether you can increase the time you're on the bike.
  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,970 Member
    Maybe do as much of the PT stuff as you can handle. Look at their volume recommendation as a starting point, not a target.

    Gradually increase load over time, so long as there is no acute or lingering pain.

    Btw, unilateral work actually helps build strength in the idle leg. It's called contralateral training. So if you can do them, do step-ups on your good leg, or Bulgarian split squat, or single leg press or single leg on the leg extension and leg curl machines, etc. Again, all with the good leg only.
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,324 Member
    The bike is usually the best bet for rehab. You can gradually lower the seat for more range of motion just so there isn’t any pain. I would definitely confer with your PT though before you do anything outside of their recommendations.
  • El_Pato_Grande
    El_Pato_Grande Posts: 3 Member
    edited February 22
    Hi Gato Gal (like cats 'eh?)

    Bill here.

    Stick in there and pay attention to your Physical Therapist and you'll be back in the swing of things in no time at all!

    I had my double total knee replacement surgery in March 2019. After 2 months I was up and around and was able to do a couple mile walking food tour (lots of stops) on a cruise we did in Juneau Alaska

    Have you considered an elliptical trainer? We have a Lifefitness E5 Elliptical trainer and we generally chug away for 60 to 90 minutes per day 4 or 5 days a week at high intensity.

    I find the elliptical is one of the few exercises I can do that's weight bearing, low impact, and makes nice with my arthritic feet and total double knee replacements. We're long time elliptical users.

    We're in our late 70s.

    We also used to road bicycle, 40 to 60 miles, 3 times a week with about a 2,000 foot elevation gain, but gave that up during the pandemic when the drivers got totally crazy out there. I also can't afford to fall anymore.

    Now for a Dad joke.

    Why are cats called Gatos in Spanish? Because if you look closely at their paws, you'll notice they Got Toes!
  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,970 Member
    It looks like OP posted once and never came back.

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