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Knee Problems and Riding

glenb

New member
I wanted to see if anyone else here has had this problem.

They called me today from the doctor's office about the MRI on my right knee; they say I have a compound tear of the lateral meniscus and osteoarthritis.

I am not sure how it happened, I am pretty careful with home projects and leisure time activities.

I don?t know what the treatment will be until I get my appointment with the specialist.


It starts to hurt after about 45 minutes on the bike and I have to stop, get off and walk around to try to settle it down before continuing.

This is a big disappointment, I bought the F700GS last October; after a few years of not enjoying my old bike, I finally get get a bike I REALLY like and this cuts into riding it :banghead
 
I wanted to see if anyone else here has had this problem.

They called me today from the doctor's office about the MRI on my right knee; they say I have a compound tear of the lateral meniscus and osteoarthritis... after a few years of not enjoying my old bike, I finally get get a bike I REALLY like and this cuts into riding it :banghead

Probably not as bad as you fear right now. But, if it is as bad as you fear, you can likely still find a bike that you can ride; might have to change bike styles however. A cruiser (shudder, cringe) might fit a bad knee OK. And it is still two wheels, right?

Good luck.
 
A cruiser (shudder, cringe) might fit a bad knee OK. And it is still two wheels, right?

Good luck.

Thanks.

However, I came from cruisers, with an FJR in between, I would be hard pressed to change the next-to-new 2013 F700GS for any cruiser, I'd probably quit, first.
 
Don't panic, and don't give up on your bike to soon. Many of us have knee problems and had knee surgeries.

Talk to the doc, talk options, all of them, and understand in today's medical world you are the one that must move the medical and insurance world towards the medical solution you choose.

Last thing, like many here, there are only a few joints in my body that I don't have to pay close attention too as I participate in my physical activities.

Good luck
Conrad
 
Just to be clear, I am not remotely considering giving up the F700GS.

I only ride on the street, no off road or gravel so I don't stand in on the pegs.

My discomfort is not so much the riding position of the bike, it hurts to stay in one position for a length of time. This can be driving the SUV long distance, driving the lawn tractor, sitting in meetings at work etc.

I'm curious about any experiences re: surgery versus other options, it is all academic until I see the specialist but it is hard not to speculate.
 
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I sprained my knee on a road trip several years ago. It was painful riding home. Any length of time on the bike caused pain, and it was all I could do to get off the bike and walk off the pain. I could not ride for six weeks, but when it finally healed up, I was fine.

Talk to your doctor. It sounds like if you get that tear repaired, and give it time to heal, then maybe you'll be fine.

Harry
 
Don't panic, and don't give up on your bike to soon. Many of us have knee problems and had knee surgeries.

Talk to the doc, talk options, all of them, and understand in today's medical world you are the one that must move the medical and insurance world towards the medical solution you choose.

Last thing, like many here, there are only a few joints in my body that I don't have to pay close attention too as I participate in my physical activities.

Good luck
Conrad

Get in the shop and get repaired, you might be surprised how quick you get back at it.

:twirl
 
I wanted to see if anyone else here has had this problem.

They called me today from the doctor's office about the MRI on my right knee; they say I have a compound tear of the lateral meniscus and osteoarthritis.

I am not sure how it happened, I am pretty careful with home projects and leisure time activities.

I don?t know what the treatment will be until I get my appointment with the specialist.


It starts to hurt after about 45 minutes on the bike and I have to stop, get off and walk around to try to settle it down before continuing.

This is a big disappointment, I bought the F700GS last October; after a few years of not enjoying my old bike, I finally get get a bike I REALLY like and this cuts into riding it :banghead

Sounds like some degree of twisting and or stress to the knee. That said, what the heck do I know.

I haven't had that problem. But I did break my right knee once when a tractor decided to turn left in front of me from the shoulder of the roadway. After several months of rehab and rest I was back on the bike. Five days ago I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left wrist so I'm temporarily off the bike again. Life is so beautifully ironic. I've been reading about how bored the folks are who just bought a new RT and have to wait on a replacement shock. Well my bike is in outstanding condition and all I can do is look at it.

I guess it's time for me to go back to New Orleans, drink some good Pinot and watch the river roll by. When I get back I'll start planning that perfect trip to Colorado.

May God speed your quick and complete recovery....

E.


"Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it." Lily Tomlin
 
Just to be clear, I am not remotely considering giving up the F700GS.

I only ride on the street, no off road or gravel so I don't stand in on the pegs.

My discomfort is not so much the riding position of the bike, it hurts to stay in one position for a length of time. This can be driving the SUV long distance, driving the lawn tractor, sitting in meetings at work etc.

I'm curious about any experiences re: surgery versus other options, it is all academic until I see the specialist but it is hard not to speculate.

The combo of being very active in sports all my life and having the genetics of sucky joints resulted in me being under the knife for numerous body part repairs. The list includes, both hands, one knee, my back, a shoulder and a couple others I will decline to mention on a family forum :D

I'm fortunate, each repair has been a success and I was back pain free. I have had to limit what I do, I stopped, running, playing basketball, softball and workout swimming. I bicycle 400+ miles a month at a pretty serious pace to stay in shape being an x racer.

Be aware the specialist will take his/her queues from you regarding what is the best course of treatment for you.


I can ride for hours and hours because I can move around and even stand. I'm dying in a car after a couple of hours.
 
35+ years on the tools, big stuff, the kind you don't see on pavement.

Freezing cold, brutal conditions, 35+ years later, I miss the tools or at least my brain does. The body, broken, repaired, broke again, repaired again. Mornings look like an elephant trying to roll the toilet paper roll up again. It takes me about 30 minutes every morning to convince my body to get out of bed to pee in the bathroom.

Riding is my salvation. Yeah, stuff hurts. I win in the number of stitches and broken bones game. On two wheels, stuff doesn't hurt as much, and every few minutes or so, I forget how old I am.

It's just a knee. Don't be a princess and let something you love go because of that.

I mean that with sincerity and humor with respect to the situation you feel you have.
 
On two seperate occasions I had complex, bucket handle tears to both medial meniscus. I had both surgicallly removed. Walking without minuscus is the less evil option of walking on a torn one. I was relatively poor when I had these fixed and could not afford to take time off or work. In both cases I had surgery on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. A lot of people take a month or so before going back to work. I rarely think about my knees when riding anymore unless they are dragging in the corners ( knee sliders in place of course). My hips are starting to be the limiting factor in aggressive riding. Someday I guess they'll need to get swapped out for man made units.
 
Would highway pegs give you some relief while riding? You could at least change your leg position now and then with them until the medical solution is complete.
 
Had a 650 single that was torture for my knees after 100 mi. Moved to a 1200 GS that was good for about 300 (different seat to peg relationship), then added highway pegs to allow alternating leg position. That helped a lot. Lately I find just letting my legs hang loose on the ADV (conditions permitting) for a few miles works best. I will also stand on the pegs for a few minutes if riding slow on pavement. Anything you can do to vary leg position during a ride should help some.
 
While I know next to nothing about knee replacements-
I did just read an article about a lady that had one done the "old way" a couple of years ago, & the other recently done via the "new way". wherein they make an exact model of her knee, then the new knee fits your body & the lady was walking in the hospital after the surgery! If I needed one I'd sure opt for the "new one"!
As for torn meniscus, join the club, mine have been torn for years & I was told (by a knee surgery expert) that pain & type of usage was the determining factor. Mine actually don't hurt that badly and actually work better with use.
 
A couple of years ago, I thought my days of hiking and running we're over, because of knee pain. Did the doctor routine, some cortisone shots, MRI, etc. Doc suggested therapy, so I started riding a bicycle. Took about 6 months to work out the pain, by haven't had any issues for a year, and am thinking of running in the rally 5K this July. I owe it all to bicycle riding to get my knee working again. So, once you work through any tears, bone on bone or what have you, start a bicycle riding rou tine, and I think you'll be surprised at your new found ability to ride your 700 pain free. I've got 10,000 miles now on my 013 700 GS, and look for at least another 90,000 before moving to something else to ride.....:)
 
Talk to Darryl

I wanted to see if anyone else here has had this problem.

They called me today from the doctor's office about the MRI on my right knee; they say I have a compound tear of the lateral meniscus and osteoarthritis.

I am not sure how it happened, I am pretty careful with home projects and leisure time activities.

I don?t know what the treatment will be until I get my appointment with the specialist.


It starts to hurt after about 45 minutes on the bike and I have to stop, get off and walk around to try to settle it down before continuing.

This is a big disappointment, I bought the F700GS last October; after a few years of not enjoying my old bike, I finally get get a bike I REALLY like and this cuts into riding it :banghead

Anyone who knows my husband Darryl can attest to the fact he has been dealing with serious knee issues for the past 8 years. They are all fixed know thanks to a good Orthopedic Surgeon at Trillium Health Sciences in Mississauga, talk to Darryl at the next breakfast July 13.
 
Anyone who knows my husband Darryl can attest to the fact he has been dealing with serious knee issues for the past 8 years. They are all fixed know thanks to a good Orthopedic Surgeon at Trillium Health Sciences in Mississauga, talk to Darryl at the next breakfast July 13.

Thanks, sounds good :)
 
I agree with Rad and Weschmann that bicycling works wonders for the knee joints. I was a runner and have had arthroscopic surgery on both knees for meniscus tears (15 years ago). Have had another tear in right knee for 3 years now, same as yours and also with some arthritis. I did some PT to strengthen the knee and as long as I pedal 3 days a week it's fine. The ortho even said to to hold off on further surgery if I can. You have to keep in mind they generally chomp away significant amounts of cartilage, so you lose cushioning and that leads to further degeneration of the joint and osteo arthritis.
 
You have to keep in mind they generally chomp away significant amounts of cartilage, so you lose cushioning and that leads to further degeneration of the joint and osteo arthritis.

I have heard and read that, and it concerns me. It will be one of the main questions I will be asking at my appointment.
 
I agree with Rad and Weschmann that bicycling works wonders for the knee joints. I was a runner and have had arthroscopic surgery on both knees for meniscus tears (15 years ago). Have had another tear in right knee for 3 years now, same as yours and also with some arthritis. I did some PT to strengthen the knee and as long as I pedal 3 days a week it's fine. The ortho even said to to hold off on further surgery if I can. You have to keep in mind they generally chomp away significant amounts of cartilage, so you lose cushioning and that leads to further degeneration of the joint and osteo arthritis.

In my case, I had ridden (daily documented) over 100,000 Km on a bicycle until both knees were totally shot from riding. I now can only ride a bicycle for short stints and can't do anything that puts too much load on the knees so have to 'spin' the pedals consistently and shift down much sooner on a hill.

A lot has to do with a person's physiology. I have not opted on any of the treatments so far offered and have symptoms described by the OP while riding a motorcycle. I have put highway pegs on my RT and do stand up through small towns, and periodically taking each foot totally off the pegs and flexing the knee joint while under way. Even these few things are enough for me to go much further between stops and makes things manageable. Not sure what options are available for the OPs bike such as lowering the foot pegs. If it does get really bad, then there are the surgery options others have spoke of.
 
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