Knee pain at the cinema

Initialised

Since I've been cycle commuting I've found that if I sit still or a while (e.g. at the PC or in the cinema) my knees start hurting until I flex them or walk around. It sometimes happens at work.

It seems to me that if I keep my knees at ~90degrees for an hour or so they start to hurt. As such if I go to the cinema I have to start rubbing them alla Vic Reeve's.

Any ideas beyond popping some ibuprofen before I sit down for extended periods?

RangerKris

I find that if i miss a cod liver oil tablet i get knee pain. Try it, it might help.

Initialised

Thanks, I'll try that

leedsmjh

Initialised wrote:

Since I've been cycle commuting I've found that if I sit still or a while (e.g. at the PC or in the cinema) my knees start hurting until I flex them or walk around. It sometimes happens at work.
quote]

What pedals are you using??

I sometimes suffer from exactly the same symptoms, and used to get it alot. Had my knees x-rayed at one point and was told there was nothing majorly wrong and it was likely down to maltracking.
I had this on-and-off before I started doing much cycling, but it got worse when I was cycle commuting as a student.
Since taking up more serious cycling in the last few years it's more-or-less gone away. Cycling never causes a problem but long walks down steep hills sometimes do. I think the difference may be that I used to use flat pedals and now use clipless (Crank Brothers) which my knees seem to like better.

Klarion

I used to get this problem frequently- it's very annoying, and murder when driving a car (a bad habit which I've now almost completely given up) on long journeys.

I did a bit of research and came across an article which said that this symptom can be caused by excercising the knee joint in a range of motion which does not fully, or almost fully, extend the leg.

So I raised my saddle (& bars) about an inch an a half, since when the symptoms have mainly- though not entirely- gone away. Of course, that might be pure coincidence; and, if you already have your saddle as high as is comfortable, it would have no relevance to you.

But otherwise, you could give it a try.

EssexCyclist

There could be so many reasons for this and lots of people experience it... I had a similar problem way back in the day... when I first started using SPD's. I had a friend just check my position but didn't make any changes. For me the problem gradually went away over about 6 months and I've not had it again in over 15 years.

Anyway, rambling over. If you've just started using SPDs then it could be an 'acclimatistion' thing... other than that, get a friend to check your riding position. I'm sure you are aware that you want the seat high enough that you get a decent extension on the leg (but dont straighten it) but not too high that your hips rock etc.

focus123

If the pain is in the knee cap it may well be chrondomalacia patella. This is damage to the cartledge behind the kneecap. After 20 yrs I have found there is no real cure but pain can be eased by a number of things. Saddle ht and fore/ aft settings must be just right. If you use spd's set them as loose as possible. Spin easy gears, and the best relief I have found is to use ' vulcan patella straps'. These are fitted just below the knee, fairly tight and support the knee cap by preventing too much movement. They also help to prevent stiff knees when driving

vitesse169

I find my joint issues have almost gone since I started using glucosamine.

ex-pat scot

Not chrondomalacia patella. That's "growing pains" for teenagers.

Sounds like "moviegoers knee". Patello-femoral joint tendon.
I have this and you really need it diagnosing by a specialist. It is VERY easy to mis-diagnose knee probs and you can end up doing yourself damage...

focus123

ex-pat scot wrote:

Not chrondomalacia patella. That's "growing pains" for teenagers.

Sounds like "moviegoers knee". Patello-femoral joint tendon.
I have this and you really need it diagnosing by a specialist. It is VERY easy to mis-diagnose knee probs and you can end up doing yourself damage...

Not my diagnosis Ex Pat Scott, but 2 orthopedic surgeons and 4 physyotherapists, and my teenage years ended when Elvis died!

mikeyboy12345

Initialised wrote:

Since I've been cycle commuting I've found that if I sit still or a while (e.g. at the PC or in the cinema) my knees start hurting until I flex them or walk around. It sometimes happens at work.

Sounds like what I used to have when I did a lot of running before I took up cycling. After riding a bike daily the problem actually disappeared. I had an X-ray and MRI on both knees and the specialist concluded I had inflamed patella tendons. The pain would be just below the knee cap and the only way to get rid of it was to straighten my leg. Knee supports helped provide some relief, but weren't a solution. Sports shops like JJB sell them - they're simply a neoprene band which velcros round the leg below the knee cap.

Rest was the only real solution, which meant giving up running for a while. I can only presume cycling cured it by strengthening all the muscles and connective tissue both together and gradually. Check your bike fit, esp saddle height (may be too low), and try spinning easier gears which will reduce the strain on quads and knees. Don't forget to stretch properly after a ride, and book an appointment with your doc!

Initialised

Thanks for the advice, I think my riding position is OK, my legs almost fully extend, but my seat did work loose at one point so maybe it needs readjusting/replacing.

It didn't happen last year but I wasn't as committed (2-3 days a week rather than 5 + any excuse at the weekend) and didn't go through the winter and wasn't as fast. This year I have replaced the bottom bracket, rear wheel, changed to a bigger set of rings (48/38/28 from 44/34/24) and changed the pedals (worn plastic flats to metal flats I don't use riding shoes yet).

I don't feel it when riding, only later on in the evenings, it's worse at the cinema because I can't stretch or move, I notice it a bit driving too, in fact the thought of it coming on in grid lock on the A1 keeps me pedalling. It's just above the knees rather than below. I rode a lot in my teens and never had knee problems.

I'll have a look at my seat, ride height and position and give fish oil and glucosamine a try. A week each should give me time to work out if it's helping.

Roastie

Initialised - sounds like yuou have a mild overuse injury - just your body getting used to more riding - try to keep your legs straight, and maybe try riding in low easy gears for a week to give your knees some time to heal - you'll be right as rain.

Initialised

@Rostie: I hope so, I had thought I was through the muscle growing pains. It started in my ankles and gradually moved up my legs and stopped at the torso with the muscle tone. It may have gotten worse as I started measuring and improving my performance. What used to feel like a good time now feels slow.

I picked up some joint care tablets with glucosamine, chondroitin & omega 3 today as well as some winter gear, I don't really need it yet (3/4 shorts and a tee this morning). I've just got this horrible feeling that the pain is going to get worse as it gets colder. Due to get soaked on the ride home tomorrow so time to get used to it.

I'll try and stop racing horses on the way home for a few days (see the SCR thread) and try and keep the RPMs up rather than the gear ratio.