Just need general advice...

[helloworld1]

I had recently popped my knee cap and broke my ankle in an accident. I was wondering if you guys knew any ways to get excercise other than running because I am on crutches Thank you

[WaterIsLife]

Are you still able to swim? Really great cardio!

[wiser]

I have heard that an "Ellyptical" training machine is much better on the knees than a bicycle or treadmill. You might want to look into them.

 

They aren't cheap.

[annie24]

welcome to enotalone - do you have a physical therapist? i would ask them. if you are not in a cast, you can go swimming. they also have bikes that you 'ride' with your hands at the gym. i'd be very careful, and listen to your physical therapist. you don't want to put too much strain on it!

[ghost69]

I have heard that an "Ellyptical" training machine is much better on the knees than a bicycle or treadmill. You might want to look into them.

 

They aren't cheap.

 

dude, he's got a broken ankle.

 

to the OP - i know some gyms have a 'bike' type machine for the arms. it's good cardio and hard to do.

[RayKay]

Definitely talk to your physiotherapist.

 

Don't push it as your healing will take far longer, and you might not end up healing all that well either.

 

There are arm-cycle machines (the thing about a proper bike I would worry about is the rotation of the ankle(s) and knee movement are tough on someone injured when they start doing it too early - as you heal it may be good rehab for you though....). I would also suggest swimming - you are not going to be able to do much flutter kicking, but just relying on your upper body until you can use those legs again healthy will be a good workout for you at least. Put some fins on your feet (or you can have a mono-fin) and just try and not use your legs to power through until they are healed enough, use more upper body and as you heal if you get the okay, you can start using them a bit more.

 

Just do NOT rush it. You will regret it if you push it too hard and delay recovery or hurt yourself more so PLEASE talk to the physiotherapist first!

[helloworld1]

Ahh, yes I can swim. Although, it is not that time of the year here I can go to the YMCA. Thanks for the help guys

[annie24]

i heard you should call around your local high schools or middle schools - see if they have an indoor swimming pool - they may have 'adult swim' hours for a nominal fee.

[trying2007]

Wiser is right for the most part, and Elliptical,depending on which one would help you, and ARC trainer would be the best if you have access to one. BUt if you have a broken ankle, i wouldnt do much till you get clearance, try and upper body erg if you need to exercise and do some upper body strength to get some work in too

[ghost69]

i think the elliptical would be the worse for an ankle injury. that movement bends your ankle the most.

[wiser]

i think the elliptical would be the worse for an ankle injury. that movement bends your ankle the most.

 

Ankles don't bend.

[ghost69]

Ankles don't bend.

 

so critical man. give it a rest.

[wiser]

so critical man. give it a rest.

 

Let me get this straight.

 

I suggest an elliptical. You say that it's a bad idea (on 2 separate posts of yours). I debate your logic behind your dispute of my post. You then say that "I should give it a rest, because I am critical". Right.

[ghost69]

Let me get this straight.

 

I suggest an elliptical. You say that it's a bad idea (on 2 separate posts of yours). I debate your logic behind your dispute of my post. You then say that "I should give it a rest, because I am critical". Right.

 

you must not work out. an elliptical requires a lot of movement in the area of the ankle.

[wiser]

I had recently popped my knee cap and broke my ankle in an accident.

 

you must not work out. an elliptical requires a lot of movement in the area of the ankle.

 

The key word in the OP is "recently" That could mean last week, last month, or even a few months ago. If he is out of the cast and is recovering then the area needs to be rehabilitated.

 

I wasn't aware that you had a degree in sports medicine or something similar.

[ghost69]

The key word in the OP is "recently" That could mean last week, last month, or even a few months ago. If he is out of the cast and is recovering then the area needs to be rehabilitated.

 

I wasn't aware that you had a degree in sports medicine or something similar.

 

i highly doubt 'recently' meant it was months ago if he is still on crutches. pay attention. you can't just go bust out with intense cardio as a rehabilitation. degree in sports medicine? no, but i have been into fitness my whole life. swim team, body building, etc. i'm sure i could work on a degree in that field no problem though. i've had plenty of injuries too. omg, and one was to my ankle. imagine that. so i think i have some validity. common sense would tell you to stay off an elliptical after an injury like that.

 

well, i can tell by your avatar you don't work out. your face is all stretched out and fat. lol

[wiser]

i highly doubt it was months ago if he is still on crutches.

 

He said he swims. It is thereforeeee, reasonable to assume he is no longer in a cast. Taking that thought a step further, it can be inferred that sufficient time has passed for healing. Taking that even further still, it's been a couple of months since the injury.

[amtjrtcet]

I have heard that an "Ellyptical" training machine is much better on the knees than a bicycle or treadmill. You might want to look into them.

 

They aren't cheap.

 

Yes, its ok on your knees but if he's got a messed up ankle stay away from the elliptical. Far away. I spranged my ankle a few yrs ago and had to stay off the elliptical for months.

[ghost69]

He said he swims. It is thereforeeee, reasonable to assume he is no longer in a cast. Taking that thought a step further, it can be inferred that sufficient time has passed for healing. Taking that even further still, it's been a couple of months since the injury.

 

when i broke a bone in my ankle i didn't have to wear a cast. i had a removable solid plastic boot. so yes, swimming can be done. also, you don't have to kick your legs much if at all to be able to swim.

[RayKay]

Reminder to please be respectful of one another.

 

He said he swims when asked if he "does", not that he IS swimming right now. That to me says he probably can swim, and he will try it out.

 

And, you can get in the water with the casts they can give you these days, as long as you get the proper type.

 

 

He needs to get the a-okay from his physio whatever he does. I would not be on an elliptical with a broken ankle early on in the healing as it does demand a lot of rotation in the ankle joint. They are lower impact, but even then not always "better" for someone. For some they can be worse on the knees even due to the movement. All depends on the person. Running (of course not early in his recovery and he would need to build back up to that) actually strengthens knees by strengthening connecting muscles when done properly (right shoes, off of the pavement, with proper exercises to strengthen opposing muscles). I know several people whom tore their ACL's for example whom were back to running in a few months and it was recommended.

 

Rehabilitation needs to be at the pace that is recommended by his doctor or whomever is overseeing his rehab.