If life's about taking risks, get yourself a £5k loan, get your knee sorted, and fully enjoy the trip.

haha ! I'm still paying off the 7K loan I took out to go to South America !!

Ted,

I did my acl about 12 years ago or so. Also done medial ligaments on other knee. I'm sure medical science has advanced but I doubt your GP could ever be 100% certain as to what you have done either without an arthroscopy or scan (not available when I did mine). You can probably go private for the arthroscopy (shouldn't be too much dosh just for a diagnosis but it should mean you jump the queue). Surgery was only recommended if you were pro sports person, but not guaranteed, much more invasive and a hell of a long recovery period.

Strengthening the muscles around the knee should see you ok for most things. I can still play footy and only get an odd twinge if I really twist it. Most other things (eg hillwalking) I can do with no issues at all.

Hope this helps

Dave

Asterisk Knee Braces

Pro Tip: Cti2 and Asterisk Knee Braces

The links above are for Asterisk Knee braces. They have been the #1 rated knee brace in the USA for years. Even better than CTI braces that cost 3 times more. They are about $500 but I've seen them used on Craigs list for two to three hundred USD. Good luck.

The Dirt Rider review above rated them "Product of the Year" some years back. Do some research and see what might work for you. Good luck!

Thanks for all the replies folks.. It's very encouraging.

Well, 2 months on from my accident... I can walk fine, ride fine and even cycle pretty well, but im far from fixed.

I can't run without shooting pains through my knee, it clicks when I bend it still doesnt feel stable.

The Doc is convinced I dislocated my patella and sprained my ligaments. I'm not convinced so I'm booking a private Physio session this week.

The good news is that I'm sure it's good enough to travel on. I WILL be wearing a knee brace on the bike though, just in case !!

Hey Ted,

Glad your improving well and the trip is still on!

How are the rest of your preparations going?

We've been on the road a month now and have been through France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and are currently in Latvia. Still aiming to reach Africa at the end of August.

See you on the road to Cape Town!

Ride safe,

Matt & Kim

Great stuff ! I wish I was riding and not working lol.

Preperations going well. I think i'm almost done. Carnet application went in the post a couple of days back ! :thumbup1:

Sorry to reply only now. I've tested the knee brace during my off road trip in Morocco and I am extremely pleased. I wore only the right knee brace. It did the job perfectly. From now I will never drive without it. I could easily persist it all day, without the hassle of it. Below the knee braces I wore a sock that is used to put a leg in plaster. This works perfectly.

Thank's so much for the feedback. I'm still hoping that I won't need one but i'm really happy that there is a solution if I need it !

Hope you enjoyed your trip, ride safe !

Ted