Knee problems

Cyclum
Cyclum Posts: 104
edited July 2014 in Training, fitness and health
I have Patellar Subluxation combined with a failed lateral release operation (I completely lost the use of my leg, my muscles wasted and it took a year of physio and hard work to walk again).

I've spent a lot of time optimising my bike setup and I'm confident that it is as good as it can be. While my knees aren't too painful while riding but they are quite painful afterwards and have a tenancy to collapse.

Does anyone have any tips? Are there any cycle-friendly knee supports? I don't tend to wear them because I find that after a few miles they rub the backs of my knees.

Thanks.

Comments

  • trekvet
    trekvet Posts: 223
    Your knees are collapsing after because the skeletal muscles are exhausted from the bike ride. Sounds like you are pushing them too far, or not recovering (3-4 days?) before the next ride, and/or not doing some gentle quad stretches after each ride? I wouldn't advocate any knee support other than your knee supporting muscles, which sound like they need some serious building up. I always wear Orthaheel insoles in all foorwear as they are supposed to cure leg probs, including Patellar maltracking http://www.scholl.com/en-IN/orthaheelproductrange/Page.raction See for instance can you do squats (Google)? Now try on one leg. See the difference, see what you need to work on before you ride.
    The Wife complained for months about the empty pot of bike oil on the hall stand; so I replaced it with a full one.
  • Cyclum
    Cyclum Posts: 104
    Squats? No chance. They make my knees feel like they're about to explode.

    I used to cycle around 25 miles a day for years and my knees never improved. It's just something that I've learnt to put up with as penance for living an active life with bad knees.

    I'll definitely look up those inserts though. It might help for when I'm not cycling.
  • stevewj
    stevewj Posts: 227
    I had a lateral release 20 yrs ago. Had probs using SPDs, Crank Bros and Look pedals - now use Speedplay Zeros - problem solved.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    I've never had any issues with my knees except over the last 2 months, feels like all the muscles around my knees are getting pulled out of shape. I'm going to get a bike fit next week to see what I can do about it.
  • Cyclum
    Cyclum Posts: 104
    My knees have always been bad - the pain would keep me awake as a child. I'm sort of used to it now.

    Now I'm getting older I'm beginning to think that I should probably think about taking care of my joints rather than just ignoring the pain. That being said giving up cycling/hiking etc isn't an option. :-)
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    You may find using flat light weight MTB style pedals helps you as it allows you feet / legs to naturally find a comfortable position.

    I would find a good bike fit / setup, person / shop and ask their advice.

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