Knee, work, weight..ugh!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi Fellow nurses,

I am a surgical oncology floor nurse and I fell on the ice two weeks ago. Initial x-rays said bone chip and PA said sprain, follow up with doc said sprain. Two weeks later, my left knee is still swollen and painful. I went in yesterday, hoping I would be prescribed some PT. Instead, my doc said I should get an MRI and he thinks the meniscus might be torn!

I'm still allowed to work on it, though I don't even know that that's smart. I've spend the entire last two weeks either need to preparing to work or recovering after work. So much time with my leg up on a pillow with an ice bag on it...that I've gained 5 lbs! Ahh! Ok, so some of it might be attributed to eating out with the new boyfriend.

So, what's a nurse to do? I figure I only get one left knee, so I ought to care for it, but I need some exercise suggestions. I was thinking water aerobics? Arm weights? Any one else do superbly low impact exercise? My favorite pre injury was cycling. I'm allowed to exercise because I'm allowed to work, which IS exercise! My 40 bed unit is 1/10 mile around. Either way, I need to do something so I don't just sit here and feel sorry for myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you are right on with the water activities. Some places also offer aqua jogging, aqua Zumba and other fun classes to keep you from getting bored. Hope you start feeling better soon!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My gym has an "elliptical" for arms which is quite a workout! Def weights with a small amount of weight, with lots of reps. I used to do the seated rowing machine, by pushing off with one leg (the problem was the pusher leg became way too big). Some yoga positions would be good too. Aqua is great! My gym has a weight belt for the water which allows you to "walk" in the pool while the belt offers an additional weight bearing tool. Make sure you do not overextend yourself at work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Treat your knees nicely, you don't want to end up like me. I have a bad knee, have had multiple surgeries and need more but can't take off more work. Anyway, I use the elliptical a lot, and have a spin bike. Neither give me too much trouble. I really miss running though...no workout seems as satisfying to me as a run but it's just too much pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

While we can't give medical advice, I will tell you that I would not attempt to exercise any part of my body when I don't quite know what's wrong with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
While we can't give medical advice, I will tell you that I would not attempt to exercise any part of my body when I don't quite know what's wrong with it.

I am not even a nurse and agree with you pp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU.

Swimming is good. Make sure to put your knee in a brace while doing it. Pushups, situps, pullups could all be done without stress on your knee. If you are serious get hard core! Oh and follow your doctor's advice as well. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Swimming is good. Make sure to put your knee in a brace while doing it. Pushups, situps, pullups could all be done without stress on your knee. If you are serious get hard core! Oh and follow your doctor's advice as well. Good luck.

I don't know about being hardcore, but I don't want to become obese because of this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Medicine.

Let's see, you could:

-Swim with a pull buoy for an arm workout

-Rent a wheelchair and wheel yourself around

-Use a row machine and don't put any weight on the injured leg

If your worried about weight gain, don't focus too much on exercising and decrease your consumption instead (loosing weight is more about what you eat than how much you exercise)

I'm a little bit of an exercise addict, so I feel your pain. Hope you heal up soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi Fellow nurses,

I am a surgical oncology floor nurse and I fell on the ice two weeks ago. Initial x-rays said bone chip and PA said sprain, follow up with doc said sprain. Two weeks later, my left knee is still swollen and painful. I went in yesterday, hoping I would be prescribed some PT. Instead, my doc said I should get an MRI and he thinks the meniscus might be torn!

I'm still allowed to work on it, though I don't even know that that's smart. I've spend the entire last two weeks either need to preparing to work or recovering after work. So much time with my leg up on a pillow with an ice bag on it...that I've gained 5 lbs! Ahh! Ok, so some of it might be attributed to eating out with the new boyfriend.

So, what's a nurse to do? I figure I only get one left knee, so I ought to care for it, but I need some exercise suggestions. I was thinking water aerobics? Arm weights? Any one else do superbly low impact exercise? My favorite pre injury was cycling. I'm allowed to exercise because I'm allowed to work, which IS exercise! My 40 bed unit is 1/10 mile around. Either way, I need to do something so I don't just sit here and feel sorry for myself.

Why not just get the MRI and find out what is wrong? If it IS a torn meniscus, it seems to be not a very long recouperative time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment