Discussion in 'Health Nutrition and Supplements' started by Paul70, Dec 5, 2004.
this year for the first time i've been getting some serious knee pain.I first had problems in April whilst Mountain biking. I rested for awhile and then started cycling again. Mostly road biking.The odd think is that over the summer I was fine, even though I was doing 150+ miles week in the hills. But in September it suddenly came back and just won't go away. I have not changed my bike or shoes or pedals, however I have increased the intensity of cycling , going farther and faster as I have been cycling with folk who are pretty serious about their cycling. Still, I rarely cycle more than 70 miles in one session.
At first the pain was in my right knee, left was fine, but now I am getting pain in both knees. The pain comes on after 3hours of moderate cycling. It quickly becomes VERY painful indeed and I have had to phone my wife to come and collect me in her car. For a few hours afterwards I cannot walk up the stairs. If I cycle to/from work every day ( about 8 miles one-way) , and nothing else, then I have no problems at all. So its prolonged cycling. I have tried adjusting the seat height, but no change. I was measured up for the bike, but still i suspect it is a tad too small for me. For awhile now i have had a pain/tightness in my gluteus ( right buttock). I am not sure if this is the cause or another side affect of the cause. This pain is very noticeable. I also sometimes get a pain in my right foot. I have had long-term back problems.
I had an MR scan which was clear. I've seen physios and chiropracters ( including an ex-professional Tour de france cyclist) but no improvement. I am 34 and have cycled for ten years, but not at a high level. However, my general fitness level is high as I also swim and circuit train.
I went out today and, regular as clockwork after about 3 hours of moderate cycling on the flat, the pain started - mostly in the right knee today.
#1 Paul70, Dec 5, 2004
2zanzibar New Member
what sort of pain are you experiencing?
from what you describe - especially the clockwork like onset of pain - sounds quite like Illiotibial Band Syndrome. When runners get this (very common) it usually follows a similar pattern, pain strikes right on the ..km mark on every run, also tight glutes can precipitate this
#2 2zanzibar, Dec 5, 2004
the pain starts as a quite diffuse pain around the whole knee joint: front and behind, but then seems to focus just underneath the knee cap if I keep on cycling. Going up hill makes the pain rocket up.
The pain/ tightness in the gluts has been with me for months and just won't ease up despite phyios doing deep massage on it. Its very noticeable when I sit onb a har chair and rock left and right. Its very hard dn the right side.
Sounds to me like your season of doing 150 miles/week in the hills caught up with you in the fall. I'd listen to the pain, and back away from the 3 hour rides and climbing during the off-season. Give your knees and body time to recover.
I'd pass on the leg weight training; leg presses, extensions and hamstring work on the circuit machines can be very tough on knees. Plenty of stretching and some core exercise (without weights) should help the glutes and lower back, but you have to go slow and not overdo these either.
At only 34, there is no need to destroy your knees or anything else by continuing to push; you've got plenty of good riding decades ahead if you take care of yourself.
omer New Member
I have patellar chondrolamalacia (knee cap degeneration / runner's knee) on my right knee. Based on both my own experience and my own research, your symptoms sound very typical for this injury. However patellar chondromalacia can be very easily diagnosed, even without MRI.
#5 omer, Dec 6, 2004
...the pain under the knee-cap will more-than-likely be caused by tight quadriceps.
#6 Jhikers, Dec 18, 2004
There have been many discussions on various message boards regarding knee pain. Thought I would provide summary and what worked for me.
Being a member of the human race, a solution to all is difficult (e.g. one size does not fit all).
A little about me. I am 54 years old and own a recumbent trike, a Catrike Road.
I experienced knee pain with my DF, Weggie, as well with my new Catrike last year.
I spent exorbitant monies on a SRAM 81 speed and rotor cranks on my Catrike. Knee pain is still there, but much less.
Just bought knee savers for $46.00 and pain is again less. There are three sizes. I bought the 30mm (biggest size) only cause I am 6'4" tall and everything should be bigger to fit? They essentially move your foot/leg further away from the pedal. Details are at www.kneesaver.net/
Another less expensive solution is increasing your RPMs, cadence, higher number of revolutions. This is often called spinning at a higher rate. The easier exertion on the knee, the better. I use this process.
Those who ride with shoes with cleats profess if cleats are all the way to back of shoe, then knee pain is less. I did this also.
Buy good shoes and pedals.
Another inexpensive way is have a professional fit you to your bike. And, stretching prior to and after riding is an excellent way of reducing and preventing knee pain. Leg weight training; leg presses, extensions and hamstring work on the circuit machines can be very tough on knees. Plenty of stretching and some core exercise (without weights) should help the glutes and lower back, but you have to go slow and not overdo these either.
There are probably many ideas to solve knee pain as there are riders.
Recommend you start with the least expensive and move up from there.
Catrike Road #116.
#7 Catrike #116, Jan 19, 2005