Cruciate ligaments :
ACL repair and competitive cycling - how soon? - - Posted by TheGroover (TheGroover), 15 January 2005
hi,
well, it's about a month til the op and i am concerned about cycling afterwards.
i'm having an ACL repair in February, but would be like to be competing during the summer in cycling events. I do endurance mountain bike events, up to 24hr (!) in length.
What are people's knowledge/experience of cycling post op?
I guess this may sound naive, but since I have been cycling at a high level since rupturing my ACL, won't I just be able to ride after the op without straining the new ACL? I am sure there is a good reason why, but i haven't been told it yet!
Thanks,
Andy
Posted by andrewc (AndrewC), 16 January 2005
Hi
Theres a very good reason(s) why you shouldn't cycle competitively after an ACL recon...
First off...the graft needs time to incorporate in to your knee and it's attachment points....This is normally several months I believe.
Also, the grafted ACL is at it's weakest during the initial post op phase so this is why vigorous activities are'nt allowed.
I believe some Advanced Rehab programs aim to get athletes back to their sport within 4-5 months...you could try and get one one of these??
One thing I do know is you DONT want to jeopardise your ACL recon because having to have it redone (a revision) if you were to damage it is proven to not give as good a chance of success....
Just try and find some alternative stuff to do while your rehabbing or cycle in the gym (when allowed) as you would be able to do this much sooner because the forces are far more predicatable than the racing you talk of!!
All the best
Posted by jbluestein (jbluestein), 16 January 2005
ditto what AndrewC says.
there are several on this board who return to sports in 5-6 months.
That depends on your Dr. and PT releasing you for your activity.
However, I think all will agree the graft is not fully incorporated in that time.
I am unsure as to how important graft incoporation is in a return to sports. Perhaps someone else can enlighten us.
Personally, I'll use a conservative approach as I am unwilling to face a revision at my advanced age (4
. 
Posted by TheGroover (TheGroover), 16 January 2005
thanks for the advice; you've told me what i think i knew but was in denial of 
if anyone reading this has a really positive story about getting back onto the back, even if not in a competitive manner, i'd love to hear it!
Andy
Posted by osteophobe (osteophobe), 17 January 2005
Andy:
I had an ACL recon plus meniscal repair one year ago. Was competing in cycling and cross-country skiing two months before the surgery. I haven't gone back to competing, but have cycled more than 3,000 miles and skied a couple hundred kilometers since the surgery, and am enjoying a completely stable knee. You will probably do better than that; I have a second bad knee to contend with (am looking at an HTO plus ACL recon on that one).
It's in your favor that you're an athlete and have the discipline to train; the PT exercises are crucial - especially working to get that hamstring strong - I did lots of backward uphill walking. Got a lot of wierd looks but it paid off. Your main problem will be holding yourself back and not overdoing it; if you have the patience to allow yourself to heal gradually, you'll end up with a good solid knee and will be able to go back to the active lifestyle you enjoy. I owe my successful recovery to my physical therapist, who gave me the right exercises to do at the right time, and told me to hold back when I was working it too hard, delaying the healing process.
I know it's a major bummer, looking at taking a season off when you're probably feeling like you're in your prime - but what is one season, when you look at all the years you have in the future to enjoy the sports you do? Good luck, and hang in there. You'll be back on your bike soon after surgery.
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
