Cycling even with a broken bone or torn ligament - The rehabilitation tricycle for adults.
bone fracture or ligament tear
BIn the case of a bone fracture or ligament tear, the injured leg must be immobilized for weeks. Sports such as jogging and cycling are out of the question. There are hardly any opportunities to do endurance or fitness training.
Except with the rehab tricycle. Our tricycle for adults allows you to maintain and even improve your fitness. We'll show you how here.
The rehabilitation tricycle for adults in case of bone fracture or ligament tear
The rehabilitation tricycle has an additional arm drive alongside the leg drive. The patient sits in the tricycle and pedals with their healthy leg and arms. This provides roughly the same power as two healthy legs. This offers significant advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need for an electric motor, as the additional arm power provides sufficient propulsion. Secondly, it also stimulates the cardiovascular system. With an e-bike, the patient could only pedal with one leg, resulting in a minimal fitness effect. The rehabilitation tricycle, on the other hand, uses two arms and one leg for propulsion. This represents a considerable amount of muscle mass that requires oxygen during tricycle use. The oxygen demand of this large muscle mass, in turn, trains the cardiovascular system. This helps maintain or even improve fitness while recovering from an injury such as a fracture or ligament tear. The injured or broken leg rests in a leg rest, keeping it immobilized. Alternatively, we offer special freewheel leg cranks, the so-called "Extreme" leg cranks. These Extreme Cranks allow you to propel the tricycle with one or both legs. This means that, for example, in the case of a fracture, the injured leg can be immobilized while the healthy leg provides propulsion. We can determine whether a leg rest or the Extreme Cranks are the better option for your specific injury and rehabilitation tricycle in a consultation with you and your doctor. We are happy to advise you.
Interview with Manuela from Ingelheim - Rehabilitation tricycle: Varibike type
How long have you been riding the Varibike recumbent bike?
I've been riding the Varibike since summer 2022.
How did you come up with the idea of buying an adult tricycle?
In an accident, I broke my leg in several places and tore the ligaments in my knee. At first, that meant a wheelchair, and eventually, walking with crutches. No matter where I wanted to go, I had to be driven, or I'd spend ages walking even 500 meters. It was awful! As a passionate cyclist, I missed nature, the speed, the fresh air. Then I remembered Gabi Reichert, whose blog I've always followed with interest. She had a similar accident and subsequently rode a recumbent bike. After a second accident, she switched to the Varibike tricycle. Since Gabi lives only two towns away, my husband and I drove over and checked out the Varibike. I immediately took it for a test ride. My smile instantly returned, the one I always have when cycling. It felt so good to be able to move around on my own again.
Would you have bought the tricycle even without a test ride?
Hmm – good question. I probably would have done a lot of research online first, looking for reports from people who have experience with the Varibike. Maybe I would have even gone to see Martin in Ulm and taken a look at it. But thankfully, the decision to buy it was made much faster this way.
How long did it take you to be able to ride the Varibike recumbent tricycle?
Not for very long. My desire to be able to travel again was so strong that I quickly got the hang of it. I don't find it that difficult either. The only thing that took some getting used to was not having to use motor assistance to climb the hill near my house. But where my e-bike motor used to help me uphill, my arms do it now.
Do you feel safe there?
Yes, very safe. I haven't ridden a regular bike again yet. I still have too much respect for them. I feel very secure and stable in the Varibike recumbent. I was also able to do without the stabilizers that were initially included quite quickly.
Did the Varibike help you regain mobility in your knee and ankle?
Without a doubt, I wouldn't be where I am today without the Varibike tricycle. Every time I use it, I notice a significant improvement in my walking afterwards. Both my physiotherapist and my doctor are constantly amazed at how well I can walk again.
Do you also have more muscle in your arms and stomach now? Can you feel anything there?
Ha, ha – not so much in my stomach. But that's because I've never really done much to work my abs. There's still plenty of room for improvement there. I'm noticing a significant improvement in my arms. And also in my shoulder, which had been giving me trouble a while back.
Why didn't it work with a normal e-bike?
The drive system on a regular bicycle simply isn't designed for the arm and leg muscles. Besides, it's quite tempting to use the motor for assistance.
How often do you ride the Varibike?
As often as possible. Now that it's brighter and warmer again, I use my Varibike for every trip I need to make.
Can you ride the Varibike tricycle faster than a normal bike?
No. Not yet. The emphasis is on "yet." After all, I can really put the pedal to the metal with my arms and legs.
What is the special fun factor for you about the Varibike with the Extreme cranks?
I enjoy the different drive types. I especially like being able to switch between them.
Which type of drive did you find more difficult at first? Or were they all the same?
At first, my bad knee was still complaining, so I rode "one-legged." Later, it was the rowing mode that showed me where I still need to build up my abdominal muscles. I prefer riding with alternating legs and parallel arms.
Do you often switch between drive types?
It's kind of constant. It's just so much fun to ride with only one leg or only one arm.
What advantages do the Extreme pedals offer you?
The most important advantage is that I was able to rest my injured leg for a while. Funnily enough, my leg even felt better just resting on the pedal while the other one pedaled. I know this effect from yoga. If I can't participate in the exercises and practice them mentally, my body parts can eventually still perform the movement.
What have you been able to achieve for yourself through Varibiking?
Finally being mobile again. I've also lost my fear of needing an artificial joint immediately. As long as my leg muscles continue to grow, I'll be spared that surgery.
Do people stare when you ride the Varibike?
Of course. Everyone looks at it. That's fun, too. And it always makes for a nice conversation starter.
Do you have any tips for Varibike beginners?
Just try it out and take it for a few spins. And ask your city or town council if you can get a subsidy for a cargo bike. Because with a large box on the rear axle, you can easily move 40 kg of luggage. That'll give you some extra muscle, too.
We adapt the rehabilitation tricycle to the type of injury you have.
The rehabilitation tricycle for adults is very suitable for people with torn ligaments or broken bones.
We will adapt the rehabilitation tricycle specifically to your injury. We also have the appropriate accessories, e.g., special
Freewheel cranks, leg rests, etc., which we attach to the rehab tricycle in such a way that the injured leg is immobilized.
Just give us a call. We bFeel free to guess.
