To bike or not to bike?

[HyperZen]

MUA was Tuesday, and at PT Thursday all was well, as my other posts can attest. My PT told me to do the bike two times a day and actually use it for exercise and not just ROM now that I have better ROM. My PT is young and I am her first MUA (this is my first MUA too, so what did I know?) I biked my little heart out twice on Friday and puffed up like a watermelon. Went back and biked again yesterday, although only once and not for as long because I was sore and swollen. Today it is still puffy and sore.

Took my pain meds and anti-inflammatory this morning and am waiting for them to kick in. I am planning to stretch today, but I am wondering about the bike ...Would it be terrible if I took a day off the bike to let my knee settle down or do I need to "push through it" as they love to tell me in PT? What is the magic of the bike anyway? I find it BOOOOORRRINNNG...Especially now that I can actually pedal like a normal person.

 

[referee54]

I used a bike at least twice a day during PT sessions and rehab. I know that it is boring, but I would set mine up in front of the TV and watch TV or read a book. Now, I have an exercise training stand that hooks up to my road bike and I have clips in my cycling shoes that hook onto the pedals so that I work my hams and quads at the same time. I also commute to school on my bike as often as I can. It has been two years since my BTKR, and biking is a very large part of my life.

The magic of the bike is that it increases range of motion and strengthens muscles that have weakened due to atrophy, not to mention it give the new joint a nice work out. It may be painful for a while, but I would work through it---but that is just me. If you feel the need to take a day off, then listen to your body, but do not take too much time off. Swelling is normal, and, down the road, biking actually relieves the pain by getting rid of the excess lactic acid. Biking also builds stamina in the leg muscles, as well, not to mention that it is very low impact , as well...

I would keep at it. It can be boring, but I would fight through the boredom at keep at it.. a little biking is better than no biking at all in my mind.

Tim C.

 

[HyperZen]

Thanks, Tim! I don't have the benefit of a bike at home. I go to my local community center where they have only one upright bike and no TVs. I take my iPod and a book. I don't mind the boredom so much as long as it works. I'm more worried about overdoing it so soon after my MUA. But it does feel good to warm up, so maybe I'll go bike slowly for only 10 minutes...I just did my other exercises and feel a bit looser now.

 

[Josephine]

10 mins for the early days is just fine. As you feel able, increase it by about 5 mins at a time. And don't forget to lower the seat once in a while to increase the bend in your knee. That's good too. But don't forget that more is not necessarily better!

Otherwise, well done.

 

[Texas]

I loved my bike pt would get me on it all the time...i did deside to gt on for the house as it wasnt that expnsive and the bebfits are grea ont hose tight days i would jump on it for about 10 min and felt so much better it was worth it......yes make sure you ice like you have it will get better.........)

 

[Max Wallace]

Cycling is high movement low impact and very good for you legs. I ride about 3 times a week for about 3 miles each time and always feel better afterward.