I’m 55 year old male with a history of knee problems. I had both ACLs reconstructed about 15 years ago (patella grafts) and I had to have meniscus removed from both knees. Recent MRIs have shown evidence of osteo arthritis in both knees but I still race olys and HIMs regularly (with the full blessing of my doctor). I have 6 monthly Orthovisc injections and these have definitely helped.
Recently I got a torn meniscus and had to have to removed. So now I have even less
So I’m thinking it may be time to go a bit easier on my knees. Specifically, two questions:
a) I ride a 52/36 crank on my road bike and 53/39 on my TT bike. Would it be easier on my knees if I switched to compact 50/34?
b) I use Look Keo cleats. I’ve always ridden with the 4.5 degree floats but would it be smart to move to the 9 degree floats? How about the zero degree floats?!
Articular cartilage can go from decent thickness to gone bone on bone
In a a short time for some people depending on conditions
Eg how much meniscus left etc.
Not a doctor but that has been my observations and precautions
After acl and torn meniscus like you, so I decided a long time ago
To give up soccer and running.
I’m 55 year old male with a history of knee problems. I had both ACLs reconstructed about 15 years ago (patella grafts) and I had to have meniscus removed from both knees. Recent MRIs have shown evidence of osteo arthritis in both knees but I still race olys and HIMs regularly (with the full blessing of my doctor). I have 6 monthly Orthovisc injections and these have definitely helped.
Recently I got a torn meniscus and had to have to removed. So now I have even less
So I’m thinking it may be time to go a bit easier on my knees. Specifically, two questions:
a) I ride a 52/36 crank on my road bike and 53/39 on my TT bike. Would it be easier on my knees if I switched to compact 50/34?
b) I use Look Keo cleats. I’ve always ridden with the 4.5 degree floats but would it be smart to move to the 9 degree floats? How about the zero degree floats?!
Well, I’ll try to answer your questions, I am an “ortho”. But, frankly, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree :-). Gearing choices would be unrelated to knee stress, I think that as long as you have the gears you need for the terrain you ride you’re good to go. I’m in the “self-selected cadence is probably the best” camp. I guess if you’re grinding up hills because you run out of gears then a compact crank would help.
And as long as you have enough float to comfortably spin the cranks then I think you’re fine. More or less float would probably be personal choice and again, unlikely to change the stress on your joint.
Running, however, is a different can of worms…good luck!
