Knee update

[Fluffontoast]

In January my right knee swelled up with suspected cartlidge tear. Was going to have it operated on then weirdly my left knee and ankle swelled up too and I was very achy, so op was postponed until the problem was diagnosed and treated. Turned out to be seronegative arthritis so after steroids, I started Mtx a few months ago and yesterday I finally had my knee op! Keyhole surgery, was home by afternoon. All very efficient. Won't know if the problem is sorted until its healed. Would be nice to bend my knee enough to ride a bike again and go down stairs normally. (I'm not going to describe the complete nightmare that was dealing with the NHS in the initial months...)

[medway-lady]

As it’s said “on yer bike” sounds just right on this occasion. I hope your recovery is speedy. Xxx

[sylvi]

I hope your recovery goes well darling. They don't keep you in long now do they as i was only in two night after having my heart op in June. xxxx

[greynot]

I hope you heal well from your knee surgery.

I have had a hip (2022) and a total knee ( a year ago) replacements.

Starting with a short pedal crank on the knee side, with a bike on a stand indoors, I can now ride my bike with proper crank lengths again. It was GLORIOUS to be on a bike again in the fresh air.

I've just ordered a step through electric bike...I'm age 74 and live in Cumbria where most roads are up and down!

Stairs are fine too, though I do hold the stairs rail.

I hope you get there. I'm sure you will. Do all the physio they tell you to do, and I highly recommend ice packs.

Let us know how you get on xx

[purplecyclist in reply to greynot]

I'm interested to know how you get on with the electric bike. I am wary of trying one because I also have very sore wrists and I fear it might be heavy to move about when parking/ storing etc. Great for knees I expect. Have fun on the ups and downs.

[greynot in reply to purplecyclist]

I am wary about the extra weight too ( both the e-bike and me!). I have a couple of friends with e-bikes locally, and they swear by them. I'll let you know how long get on with mine.

I've been on Methotrexate since 2019 and it's got me into remission! I hope it gets you to a stage where you're cycling on moving scenery again.

[Fluffontoast in reply to greynot]

A bike stand for indoors sounds like a good idea! I'm very inspired by your determination to keep cycling!

[greynot in reply to Fluffontoast]

It's been a great thing. Not as fun as the real deal, but it gets your knee mobile and you can do it at your own pace. Little and often.I swapped the normal 170mm crank for 140mm ( about £10 online) on the new knee side and got nearer and nearer to getting right round...finally I did it! Such a triumph. Then I went back to the 170mm and finally got round that too. It took time, but so worth persevering.

It was easier for me 'pedaling' backwards at first.

[hazelcats]

Maybe an electric bike would be an idea Fluff? Best of both worlds,start you easing back into cycling ( once you are cleared to do so ) with out overdoing things and then a bit of extra electric help when you need a boost/rest?? Least you are enthusiastic in getting back to full capabilities again, thats a real positive attitude

[Fluffontoast in reply to hazelcats]

I thought about it but even an electric bike needs knees that will bend enough when the pedal is in the high position. I have an exercise bike which is ok because I can put the seat up really high so I don't need to bend the knee so much. If I did that on my real bike I'd fall off every time it stops 🤣

[purplecyclist]

Hopefully you will get on the bike again soon, I have been taking methotrexate since December and hoping to get back on my bike when my wrists are feeling better, my knees are ok again. I used a set of exercise pedals in front of the telly at first with short cranks just to keep moving, then the recumbent static bike at the gym. But I long for the bike with moving scenery!

[Fluffontoast in reply to purplecyclist]

Exercise pedals sound good. I tried an electric bike years ago. Very good but don't let the battery run low, especially if you live up a hill otherwise you will not get home! I have considered getting an ebike with a throttle so no peddling needed at all but it kinda defeats the point!

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hope your knee op is going well for you

[Fluffontoast]

Thanks. 4 days post op and seems to be recovering but has flared the arthritis up again. Pah! Not even sure it's worked because I still can't bend or straighten the knee, but hey it's early days.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA in reply to Fluffontoast]

I,is early days slow to start with ,Hopefully a lot better in coming weeks