Knee pain? Do I rest or put up with it

mosa

Hello all my left knee has had a slight pain at the rear over the last 6 months or so. Only comes and goes from time to time. 20 miles out into my 60 make ride today it went or got much worse. Seemed to get easier if I went onto the drops. Feel fine when standing & walking. If I lift my leg and bend it it does seem to be weak. I know I should head off to doctors which I plan to do this week I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this before & should I still go out or rest for a bit cheers

thistle_

If it's normally not too much of a problem but has suddenly got worse when riding I'd have a break until you've seen the doctor. It'll only be for a few days.

sungod

if the pain eased with a different position it seems quite likely that it's to do with a set-up issue

for instance, pain at the back of the knee may be due to saddle too high/far back, but there are other causes too, cleat position or leg length discrepancy for instance

if it's been going on for 6 months, might be worth seeing a decent bike fitter

BowtomePhil

I have bad knees and they hurt walking up stairs, I can't go for a run due to the pounding and pain. But with cycling I get no knee pain. See the doctor and see what he says first.

racingcondor

I've had similar issues in the past when I've upped the mileage too quickly. Fixed it with a shim (leg length discrepancy), some wedges and very careful cleat set up.

I wouldn't advise ignoring it though.

Monty Dog

In general, pain at the back of the knee is simply due to hyper-extension i.e. saddle too high - try knocking your saddle down a touch? Getting onto the drops pulls you forward in the saddle, effectively reducing your saddle to pedal length. You'll also generate more power with a slightly lower saddle

georgemiddlemiss

Hi all, I know this post is quite old so i hope someone is able to reply.

Took up cycling at the start of the year, Started off doing Hilly ten Milers but soon jumped to Hilly 35 milers (including 300 Yards of 20% Gradient). I was probably averaging 60 miles per week.

After my first 35 miler i could hardly walk due to pain at the rear of the knee.

I thought it would go away so i continued riding but taking down my miles to about 20 miles per week.

The pain has not gone away.

Basically i have been suffering from knee pain at the rear of my left knee, the doctor said it is likely to be a damaged ligament or something but he didn't really seem to know what he was talking about or care.

I have recently discovered that i cannot tense my left calf which is worrying me a great deal.

Has anyone suffered from anything similar and can recommend what i should do?

Thanks

alihisgreat

georgemiddlemiss wrote:

Hi all, I know this post is quite old so i hope someone is able to reply.

Took up cycling at the start of the year, Started off doing Hilly ten Milers but soon jumped to Hilly 35 milers (including 300 Yards of 20% Gradient). I was probably averaging 60 miles per week.

After my first 35 miler i could hardly walk due to pain at the rear of the knee.

I thought it would go away so i continued riding but taking down my miles to about 20 miles per week.

The pain has not gone away.

Basically i have been suffering from knee pain at the rear of my left knee, the doctor said it is likely to be a damaged ligament or something but he didn't really seem to know what he was talking about or care.

I have recently discovered that i cannot tense my left calf which is worrying me a great deal.

Has anyone suffered from anything similar and can recommend what i should do?

Thanks

I'd go and see a physio if I were you.

sungod

^^^this

even a sympathetic gp probably doesn't have the experience to advise on the cause of the problem

if you say which area of the country you're in you might get some recommendations for nearby assistance

pride4ever

Buy a foam roller and roll like a mofo. I cured my knee problem in less than a week of foam rolling and stretching for 10 minutes a day along with ibuprofen. If nothing else it will tell you if your knee problem is related in any way to IT band issues which for cyclists is common as hell.

cheaterkiller

BowtomePhil wrote:

I have bad knees and they hurt walking up stairs, I can't go for a run due to the pounding and pain. But with cycling I get no knee pain. See the doctor and see what he says first.

If possible get a bike fit 1st. Rule that out so the doc cant just blame that.

EPO Delivery Man

Rest.

And re-check your cleats if you wear them.

georgemiddlemiss

Hi again
Thanks for all your replies!
I went to the physio and after being shocked at how much all of my limbs hyper extend, she declared that i have inflamed a bursa in my knee (a fluid sack that protects ligament from bone), this has consequently gone on to inflame my ligaments in my knee. She said this is probably due to stretched ligaments (because of my hyper extending knees), an incorrect bike fitting (which is probably true as i have never been fitted) and doing too much too soon on the bike. She said it is nothing to much to worry about (although my hyper extension will make injury more likely in future) and she recommended it that i sit straight (not cross my legs), stand straight (not hyper extend my leg), Work on my leg muscles in the gym to compensate for my ligaments, stretch my calf muscle (as they are tight) and then when i feel ready, get back on the bike (HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAY!) and take it really easy (No Tour de France stage wins for me this year).

So my plan of action is to stand and sit straight, work on my leg muscles, stretch my calf muscles, get a bike fitting and then finally get back on the bike and take it really easy.

I have a few questions
-Can anyone recommend a pro bike fitting in the Plymouth area?
-When i do get back on the bike, how far should i ride? How often? and how much should i increase it by?

Thanks again
G