Patellofemoral groove cartilage problem

tomeveleigh

I've just got results from an MRA scan, and I've got some softening of the cartilage on the lower edge of the Patellofemoral groove. The Bupa consultant who arranged the scan has advised me that there's nothing that can be done except avoiding the causes of the problem.

I stopped cycling last October when the pain started. Since then I’ve started a rigorous stretching routine and had regular sports massages. When I've periodically got back in the saddle the swelling and pain just comes straight back. I’ve noticed the mountain biking is much better the Road biking, I’m guessing it’s because it’s less intensive and you spend more time straight legged out the saddle. I’ve also had a professional bike fit on the road bike which hasn’t helped.

I’m desperate to get back on the road bike, so any advice would be much appreciated.

If anyone can also recommend an expert or physio who’s good with cycling injuries that would also be very helpful

ut_och_cykla

I take it you've seen a good physio. My daughter had patellar groove problems ( to the point that she could not squat even a little bit!) which were cured by diligent stretching and exercise including a straight leg lift to strengthen the muscles that help with tracking. Don't know if its the same problem but seems a bit much that there is no help at all!

andy_wrx

'patellar tracking', aka 'runners knee' ?

Do you get creaking/cracking nioises from your knee, pain on climbing up or down stairs ?
Or just cycling ?

I'd recommend seeing a sports physio, seeing if there's some muscle imbalance between the lateral and medial quadriceps and then appropriate strengthening exercises.

If it's just specifically cycling, it could be the motion your knee makes during the pedal stroke, but you say you've had a bikefit...
- I'd take the bike, plus turbo/rollers to the physio...which is where having a proper sports physio, even better one who's used to cyclists rather than runners or footballers or rugbyplayers, will score over seeing a physio more used to dealing with arthritic geriatrics

Spesh Body Geometry shoes make much play of being designed to correctly align your foot, hence your knee during the pedal stroke

jellybellywmb

I used to get massive pain in my knees and Doc said it was petaller tracking,gave me all sorts of stretches etc to do but to no positive results came from this.
Just happened that my old cycling shoes gave way so bought some specialized shoes and never happened since.
I have put this down to maybe the cleats being in the wrong place.

oldwelshman

If MRI scan shows cartlidge damage, then thats pretty much what tyou have and muscles have little to do with it.
Until they come up with re growth of cartlidge from stem cells then it will not improve, they have the technology to do this now but probably prioritising development of growth of organ tissues, any cycling bio chemists and scientists here to speed this up?
I have had 4 medial cartlidge operations and thats why I took up cycling and retired from squash as squash is very hard on the knees.
I also have athritis in back of knee because when I had pervious cartlidge problem, it rubbed back of patella and eroded the cartlidge on back of patella.
The strange thing is I dont have any pain there :shock: so seem to be lucky.

ut_och_cykla

No muscles won't cartilage growth but they can help moving parts track more correctly and allow damaged joints at least partially recover. Cartilage problems with less than ideal joint control will feel much worse adn will worsen with use, and vice versa. As far as I know crtilage does regrow but very slowly and less so with age. Gentle use improves growth rate (better blood supply) but I think we're talking months for improvements as opposed to weeks for broken bones etc.
There are some 'herbal' remedies which are believed to help - look at Boots' joint care section!
Still can't believe you can't get some kind of help!

onabike

I sympathise as I have had some long term knee problems.

Physio might help as it could address any muscle imbalances, giving an improved tracking of the patella and so stopping the wearing they have picked up.e.g. deep massage of the ITB, strenghtening of the VMO muscle can often help patellofemoral problems.
Ultrsound may hel topclear up any lingering inflammation. Ultrasound was key for my rehabilitation.

Only thing I can add to the above is to take cod liver oils supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements are used by the body to generate cartilage and so it will help to heal the wear. This has been proved to be beneficial, but it will take a long time.

In any event, you might be in it for the long haul, this wont clear up overnight.

Edwinsprint

I had real problems after LEJOG in 7days. It took 3 months to get back. MTBing was easier.

The best advice was surprisingly from my GP.

He said that cyclists develop their outer quad alot but the inner quad suffers. This pulls the knee cap out.

I was instructed to do straight leg raises with toes turned out. 3 weeks of this and I was fixed, no more pain going downstairs etc and hasnt come back.

PM me if you want me to ring and give more details.

Ed