Best aerobic conditioning after meniscus surgery

I had a partial meniscotomy (removal of torn portions of meniscus) on my knee back in April. It has been 4 weeks and I am doing various range of motion and strengthening exerecises suggested by my physical therapist. I am now starting to walk a lot and doing some stationary bike. My question is what exercises for aerobic conditioning would tend to enhance or detract from my skiing? Choices I have are walking, a Nordic Track ski machine, treadmill, stationary bike, road bike, steppers and ellipticals at the YMCA, and a bowflex (rowing). Am interested in any suggestions or lessons learned. Thanks.

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It's not on your list but you can go to a YMCA and go swmming. Great for your knees and good for a cardio workount. Very low impact for knee surgery recovery.
The nordic track gives a good overall and cardio workout and the road bike would be great for knee strenghth and some cardio exercise

a certain mr H maier seems to like riding a stationary bike for exercise after nearly loosing a leg....

I would start with very low impact exercise, such as swimming, and gradually cross-train to higher impact exercise.

Michael

I had the same surgery a couple of years ago. Keeping the muscles around the knee strong and toned with road bicycling was how I was able to stay active before surgery with torn cartilage. After surgery, cycling remains the best exercise for me in keeping the joint tight and in compensating for the cartilage that I no longer have.

Pilates can be good too for ski-specific exercises that strenghten your core body without stressing the knee joint.

Aerobic Conditioning - Meniscus - Physical Therapy

Good suggestions, thanks! I will definitely look at the pool and bike. Appreciate anyone else's thoughts.

I am intrigued by the Pilates, but don't quite understand the system. My Y offers a class and my wife has a Aero Pilates machine she bought, but never used. Sounds like something to look at as well.

Saw the Physical Therapist yesterday and he gave me a bunch of new balance stuff to do. Funny, they were all "dryland" stuff I had been doing for skiing through the winter. Were like standing on "bad" foot balancing then add eyes closed. Standing on one foot touching other in front, side, back, then eyes closed. Later add foam under bad foot and do same exercises. Standing on step, one foot, and dipping down, add greater height as I get stronger. All stuff that could be out of the ski exercise book. I will keep at them since so far I am improving rapidly and my PT guy seems right on.

The very best thing you could do is discuss this with your Doc and PT and then you will have information vetted by the pro's, which applies to you personally and not anecdotal information from someone you don't know and whose expertise is at best questionable.

Sure, discuss here, get ideas here but vet it through your paid pros. That's why you pay them the big bucks.

Mark

Wasn't he also using a Compex machine?

Use the pros - meniscus

I agree. I have already talked to my PT about various options and he gave me a green light on most. I have a follow up in a couple of weeks with the Doc and will talk with him about them. When I do have options I always like to get feedback from the ones that have "been there and done that." I always take with a grain of salt. I am not planning on anything drastic until I talk to the Doc again. Thanks.

exercise after meniscus repair

My husband is a big swimmer. Okay, its actually how he makes his living. (teaching it too triathletes, wanna be betters, etc). He had his knees done 10 + years ago. He also was a triathlete with excellent running and biking credentials. He spent his initial rehab in the water doing swimming, kicking in the water and deep water running. His recovery was pretty amazing.
As a long time runner with funky knees, I find the elliptical machine a great adjunct. If the legs are working too hard, use your arms more.
Pilates is great for the core, not sure how useful for your knee rehab.

I was just taking a break from writing the Pilates chapter in my ski fitness book when I saw this thread. Although Pilates should not be considered aerobic exercise, it does promote a body awareness that is useful to skiers.

After my ACL surgery, if my orthopod had allowed me to go back to teaching Pilates at an earlier date, I am convinced I would have healed faster. The flexion and extension against the resistance of the therabands or the movements of the stability ball where great for giving me back my range of motion. The Aero Reformer can accomplish something similar. You will get some mild aerobic benefits. I found that a combination of elliptical machine, upright and recumbent bike was most effective for post rehab cardio.

Visited the Doc

Saw the Doc today. Lisamarie's suggestion of upright and recumbant bike, elliptical was exactly where he was coming from for aerobic conditioning.

In regards to gym work he advised staying way away from knee extensions, because of knee cap smoothing he did while he was in there. My PT guy does not like them period. Doc discouraged anything with a deep bend of the knee with weight bearing.

Suprisingly he was OK with rollerblading as soon as I was comfortable with it. In general he was happy with my progress with PT. Also asked about NSAID's - his preference was Alleve (Naproxine) over Ibuproben for pain and inflamation from PT type activity. He liked it since it lasted longer in the system - two tabs twice a day versus more for Ibupropen.

My plan is to get on the bikes, keep up with the PT execises. Suprisingly all the balance part of the PT has helped balance on both legs - good and bad. Hope it helps my skiing! Also got a BOSU ball to enhance the balance exercises. That really increases the challenge on balance work.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Pilates, skiing, and workouts.

LisaMarie:

I enjoy your posts here and at realskiers. I was the one that had a meniscus trim back in April. My knee is really doing well.

I started a Pilates class at the Y and just got back from the fourth class. Teacher said I was really stiff, but we both notice a difference even after four classes. I saw you mentioned an Aero pilates in a reply to my post. My wife has an Aero Pilates that is currently gathering dust. We are in process of freeing up a room for our workout equipment so we can use it more conveniently. I was wondering what your thoughts are about the machine and is it worth using? My Pilates teacher has us using the circle (spring), bands, hand weights and today the big fitness ball. Could the reformer (I guess that's what it is) complement my workout?

I also got a Bosu ball and 8lb medicine ball with a ski specific workout disk. Have only used the Bosu for one foot balance stuff so far. Any thoughts on good Pilates/workout books?

I would appreciate any comnents. BTW, hope your ski fitness book is going well. Based on your web site and posts, I think the book should be a good one. Thanks.

Hi! I am so glad that your knee is better! The reformer will indeed complement your workout if it is well made and not counter inuitive. I must confess that I bought one of the home models a few years ago, but it was so poorly made that it was darn near impossible to use correctly.

This is my favorite Pilates Stability ball video:
http://www.stottpilates.com/videos/A...lity-ball.html

I love the 3-D Balance but they are all good. Otherwise, it sounds as if you are on the right track! Keep up the good work!

Lisa