Disaster. My Dodgy Knee Returns!

Scorpion

Disaster! I was off work for 3 months last year with a dodgy knee, the doctor said it was normal wear and tear and there was nothing he could do.

I went for physio and accupuncture and eventually got back to work. At the time I asked the physio what would be the best form of exercise to take without damaging my knee, and she suggested a bike.

After yesterdays ride my knee is nearly as bad as it was the last time! I can hardly bend it and I'm limping quite badly. I hope this is just a temporary thing that will get better as I ride more and build up muscle. If not I'll be gutted!

Rich Hcp

I hope it's OK.

You may have overdone it fiirst time out.

Also the saddle hieght and fit may be more critical.

Take your time and work in to it

If in doubt, go see an expert

Scorpion

Thanks for the advice Rich. My riding position is what I'd term as comfortable. I can't ride with the saddle stuck up in the air, it just doesn't feel right.

Will be trying again tomorrow, weather and knee permitting, but I'll be looking at a flatter route this time.

dunker

saddle too low maybe, heel on the pedal at it's lowest and knee should be Nearly locked? short legs? maybe smaller crank arms? i've found 170mm more comfy for my 31" legs but got to spin them faster though heh

where's the pain? as that location might help you discover what's really wrong.

beski

I get some pain in my knees after rides, sometimes worse than others, I've found that regularly taking cod liver oil tablets or fish oil of some sort helps over a period of time. When you've built the muscle up around the knee (from regular cycling) that should help protect the joint, maybe short rides & frequently rather than going for longer distances at first

allthegearnoidea

omeag oils are good for joints! i tried them when i was first of with m.e., could it be worth looking at one of the knee strapping supports that holds the knee cap and supports the surrounding area??
something like this maybe??
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... searchtext>KNEE+SUPPORT.htm
might be worth asking your physio if its suitable??

the wife has had several knee ops and has always been told cycling is good but she really struggles! (but then she's not quite so good on the gears!)

Surf-Matt

I really hurt my knee earlier this year (fell of the bike) and found out my joint was pretty unstable.

A correct diagnosis and a load of physio later and it seems fine - in fact doing a rather hilly 10k trail run/race on Sunday.

Scorpion

Thanks for your 'support' people (no pun intended)!

Knee feels a little better today and I will try the cod liver oil (urgh) and knee support ideas. I feel my saddle position is correct and I am comfortable when riding the bike so altering the height may not be a good idea, but thanks for the advice.

I am going to have another ride on the flat this evening and see how it goes. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Megatron-UK

I used to get a really bad left knee when I rode when I was much younger (16-19 ish), despite being a fair bit heavier and generally a bit unfit now I haven't had a problem with it, since starting to ride again over the last few months. I've put it down to the fact that I regulary did Tae Kwon Do when i was younger and I think I probably over stressed it - nowadays I'm a lot more sedate

It does seem a genetic thing in my family though - my dad has terrible knees and neither of us can sit with knees bent for any length of time or kneel on the floor, for example.

omaha

i have the same problem,was told to give up cycling as it would make it worse, it which i replied " you'd better get to work on those artificial knees then " messed about with my seat position and found what suit me best. Short trip's to build up muscle and rest days, i also take Glucosamine Sulphate available from most supermarkets.

stumpyjon

the doctor said it was normal wear and tear and there was nothing he could do.

Sounds like you need a new doctor. It probably is mormal wear and tear, as for not being able to do much about it, b*ll*cks. Have you seen a specialist?

Knee problems are very common and can be fixed quite easily in a lot of cases in one key hole operation. My mum, mother in law, wife and family friend have all had various different things wrong and have all had key hole ops to sort. My wife (who's in her mid 30's) had the same inital response from the NHS when she first went to the doctors (acupuncture :evil: and physio which made no difference). When she finally got to see a specialist he disagnosed issues relating from her teens when she did ballet seriously. The op consisted of straightening her knee cap and clearing out the accumulated rubbish which can build up in the joint. It took a while to get back to normal (12 months to fully heal up) but now she can ride her bike again with no pain at all. She's going to get the other knee sorted as soon as possible.

With regards to the procedure they usually do one knee at a time, quite often they don't even give you crutches afterwards and expect you to walk out after the operation (it's a day job with no overnight stay). You'll recover quite quickly (thing that took time for my wife was being able to kneel down on a hard surface). The operation usually combines an exploration of the knee joint to confirm what's wrong and more often than not they sort it whilst they're in unless there is something much more serious wrong. I'd go back to your doctor and demand better service or go and see another doctor. The other option if you don't have private medical insurance is to pay yourself to see a consultant (think it costs about £ 150), they then often put you on their NHS lists effectively allowing you to queue jump.

Either way don't put up with this for the rest of your life, unless you're really unlucky and got something complex wrong with your knees it can probably be fixed quite easily.

heez29

My mate just had some key-hole surgery done aswell. he was only 19 but after 2 months he was back skating. it sounds like the same thing which he had aswell, every so often doing (sport) his knee just gave way and he couldnt move! funny but looked painful!

if you can afford it defo go private, it took him 2 weeks from consultant to op.

dunker

it could be something simple like quad tendonitis with rest being the cure i think, depends where abouts the pain is though.

fcumok

I have an appointment with the docs on Monday about my knee. He better not say there's nothing he can do

The Northern Monkey

feel gutted for you mate
i personally have a very dodgy knee.. its ok, but sometimes it does get quite painful

i damaged my ligaments and cartlidge playing rugby when i was 18 (my knee bent in a way it really shouldnt bend) i've had 2 bouts of keyhole to sort it and endless physio, but 3 years later and ive managed to strengthen the muscles around it etc etc. but it took a lot of effort but i'm back riding now

only thing that sucks is that i'll most probably be having a knee replacement in my mid 30's

all i'd say is really dont try to do too much. if its that bad, i would seriously consider leaving the cycling for a while and focus on strengthening your leg muscles if possible

grantway

Get your GP to send you to hospital for a knee scan then go from there.

Also use Iburafen gel over the knee rather than pain killer tablets.
But you must get your knee scanned.