Concept2 Forum

Hi folks. I just had a serious knee injury. I fell and tore the quadricep tendon that attaches the muscle to the knee. I just had surgery to repair the tendon and I am wearing a cast from my ankle to just below my hips. The cast keeps the leg immobile while the tendon heals. The cast stays on for 6 weeks and is followed by physical therapy.

Now my question: I know it will be a while until i can row again. Will rowing straigthen the knee or aggravate the injury all over again? I hope the physical therapist will have some rowers available.. and some answers, but I would be interested in the opinions on this forum.

Thanks! Marvin

Anybody?

Should be OK, but take it easy and listen to your body.

The timeline may depend on how they repaired it. Did they splice in a new piece or just reattach the original one? How did they reattach it? I assume a hole in a knee bone, wrap the tendon around and then staple it together.

I have had 3 tendons replaced. One in each ankle and then later my acl. They were all staple jobs and seem to be good. I never went back to skiing afterwards though. Why tempt fate.

As I got older it took longer for complete recovery. I was 64 when I had the acl done Stability and strength was at 80% in 3-6 months but it took a year for complete strength because I essentially had to grow it back.

I found the rower to be good for rehab because you use both legs simultaneously to apply force. Not like an exercise bike one leg at a time.

Consider aquiring (borrowing or whatever) some slides. I used them during knee rehab, rowing one-legged. My body and right leg moved but my left leg on the floor did not. My right leg got a pretty good workout, and I got the upper body benefit too. You can't go too fast, but what the heck. I think the C2 site has a video of someone using them.

Hang in there.

Grams

grams wrote:The timeline may depend on how they repaired it. Did they splice in a new piece or just reattach the original one? How did they reattach it? I assume a hole in a knee bone, wrap the tendon around and then staple it together.

Hi BobD and Grams - Yes, I will certainly take it easy at first. And I will discuss with the PT.

Grams, I think they repaired the tendon by reattaching the original one. No additional 'parts'. The sutures to repair the tendon are on the inside and the staples are on the outside. The staples will be removed next week.

Thanks for your replies! Marvin

Marvy - I woudl think that given your injury that light rowing would be good physical therapy once you have healed sufficiently. Speak wth your PT about it.

I have had 2 scopes on my left knee over the years (basically no cartlidge remains) and my right hip resurfaced (not a hip replacement or I would not be rowing). I didn't row a great deal at the time of my knee scopes (ice hockey player so getting back on the ice was the goal). I tried rowing about 6 months after my hip resurf. in 2006 but found it uncomfortable at first. Through trial and error (and this wonderful board) I found that rowing barefoot and strapless eased on the "torque" that my hip absorbed. I now try to row as true to form as possible but I also have to take into account my hip as well as my knee. I have actually found that my left knee feels better although I know that some people with knee problems don't have the same experience.

Whatever you do, listen to your body and don't rush things. I am 2 years post op on the hip and am up to 5-6000M per day 5-6 days per week. I am not going to break any world records but I can work up a good sweat on the erg and get the endorphins going. Given the sorry state that my hip was in prior to surgery I never thought that I would be able to row again not to mention row 6000 meters (working towards my goal of 10,000). Andy

Just one more thing-keep your damper low. If you have been setting it at 10 try 3 instead. You can still get a workout by slowing your stroke rate down a little.

grams

Grams and Andy - Thanks for your replies. Gram: damper at 10!! I never got it up that far. I usually stay around 4, so I will lower it to at least 2 at the beginning and take it slow.

Thanks again - Marvin