Dodgy knee - anterior..?

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay, Monday just gone I had to drive a different vehicle to the one I'm used to and one way or the other have managed to hurt my knee. There's not so much pain as a heavy sensation at the front of the knee, made worse by climbing stairs. Not sure what the best course of action is, for the first few days I carried on on the turbo trainer but have decided that it's probably not the best idea....BUT at a low intensity on the turbo it seemed to help it?

I know this is vague but am wondering if anyone has any experience of what I'm talking about - which I think is anterior knee pain syndrome - and the best way to go about getting shot of it. I've used ice and one lot of anti-inflammatories to little effect and wondering about some sort of support for the knee - any suggestions?

 

[vickster]

RICE...Rest, stay off the bike for now... You'll need more than one dose of anti-inflammatories most likely. I'd go to the chemist, and get a tube of Voltaren gel if it's very localised. Follow the instructions, no oral NSAID at the same time

Is it swollen? If not, compression may not be needed

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay thanks Vickster - the Voltaren hasn't done much, it's what I used first and have just started Ibuprofen as an alternative anti-inflammatory.

Thanks.

 

[vickster]

How often did you apply it? Should be a little stronger than ibuprofen

 

[lulubel]

It sounds (from the description of front of the knee and made worse by climbing stairs) like the same kind of knee pain as is caused by riding with the saddle too low. I have this in my right knee at the moment because I had the bright idea of lowering the saddle on the MTB for a descent - won't be doing that again!

I haven't bothered taking anything for it, and the only thing I've changed about my cycling routine is that I'm riding in lower gears than usual to take the load off it. My other compromise is to take the lift up to our apartment instead of the stairs. In my experience, these things generally get better on their own if you avoid doing the thing that caused it in the first place, although I'm sure recovery could be speeded up by rest and other boring things like that.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

How often did you apply it? Should be a little stronger than ibuprofen

Since the day before yesterday, 7 or 8 times. Also used ice for the inflammation. As I say, it's not hurting as such, just 'heavy.'

Lulubel, I think it was the car I drove jolting around but now you mention it, the bike on my turbo does sometimes feel as if the seat is too low and it's exactly that type of feeling.

I've just started wearing a sport support thingy bandage too.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

And thanks for the input...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

You will probably find the issue with the car is that the seat/pedal/steering wheel alignment is not what your body is used to and this is just letting you know. Hopefully you won't have to drive that vehicle again, but if you do, then stop each and every hour and stretch, walk around and generally massage it to help it out.
Hope you are feeling better now.

 

[mangaman]

I have just developed ITBS due to a recent keenness in running.

I saw a physio, who recommended some stretches.

Basically, the problem in my case, and - it sounds like in yours - is a biomechanical one.

Get the set-up on the bike/turbo perfect.

Stretch the quads as much as possible

Avoid NSAIDS if you can - they just mask pain and cover up the underlying problem.

I went to a specialist running shop (big heads up for Alexandra Sports in Porstmouth - they were superb) and had myself videoed running in various different shoes - until they were satisfied the shoes were right.

The physio had given me some specific stretches.

Now I am am pain free only 2 weeks later.

The moral is, these things are all about subtle biomechanics - saddle height/position etc - and unless you correct the problem you are just masking the symptoms.

 

[Berties]

I have just developed ITBS due to a recent keenness in running.

I saw a physio, who recommended some stretches.

Basically, the problem in my case, and - it sounds like in yours - is a biomechanical one.

Get the set-up on the bike/turbo perfect.

Stretch the quads as much as possible

Avoid NSAIDS if you can - they just mask pain and cover up the underlying problem.

I went to a specialist running shop (big heads up for Alexandra Sports in Porstmouth - they were superb) and had myself videoed running in various different shoes - until they were satisfied the shoes were right.

The physio had given me some specific stretches.

Now I am am pain free only 2 weeks later.

The moral is, these things are all about subtle biomechanics - saddle height/position etc - and unless you correct the problem you are just masking the symptoms.

I am in the process of visiting a biomechanics specialist physio,who deals with running shoes in a big way,and you are right you may get pain relief immediately but stopping the injury again is the route to success,the quads have more effect on your knees than you give them credit for,i have sorted the range out on my hamies and calves but my quads are taking longer,range has dropped from -38 to -8 still a bit to go,
i would always seek expert advice from a biomechanics expert,for long term results,not just instant,its day to day may be a shoe insert or a specific stretch or as with me flexibility of specific leg groups,made tight by riding

 

[jaynana]

guys, i've just developed a knee pain in one leg, about a week and a half back. coincidentially i couldn't ride last week although i usually do about 100miles/week (tyres probs, had to be replaced).

anyhow, started riding again this week, pain didn't go away! i thought the week of rest should sort it.

symptoms are: no pain when stationary, or walking. a pain shoots up when the leg is extended from the knee when its passing around 90degrees of bend. if i keep my hand on the knee i can soft of 'feel' something like a tendent 'jumping' in there.. which is exactly when the pain happens.

i'm sure of my seat height etc, afer all i've been riding for years at around 100miles/week and never had a prob like this

i've spoken to a few knowledgeable ppl (but not a doc speaks volumes about how much trust i have in the GP system), and they suggest it most prob is iliotibial band syndrome.. something aparently common amongst runners and cyclists..

see below for possible exercises to resolve this.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6G5MIFKWxA
http://www.anaerobic.net/runnersguide.aspx
couple of stretches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEex3Bf4y8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaxtMjpOSmc

no harm trying some of this, which i shall do.

at the same time im sure there are much more experienced ppl here. any advise is highly appreciated..

thx

j

 

[mangaman]

guys, i've just developed a knee pain in one leg, about a week and a half back. coincidentially i couldn't ride last week although i usually do about 100miles/week (tyres probs, had to be replaced).

anyhow, started riding again this week, pain didn't go away! i thought the week of rest should sort it.

symptoms are: no pain when stationary, or walking. a pain shoots up when the leg is extended from the knee when its passing around 90degrees of bend. if i keep my hand on the knee i can soft of 'feel' something like a tendent 'jumping' in there.. which is exactly when the pain happens.

i'm sure of my seat height etc, afer all i've been riding for years at around 100miles/week and never had a prob like this

i've spoken to a few knowledgeable ppl (but not a doc speaks volumes about how much trust i have in the GP system), and they suggest it most prob is iliotibial band syndrome.. something aparently common amongst runners and cyclists..

see below for possible exercises to resolve this.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6G5MIFKWxA
http://www.anaerobic.net/runnersguide.aspx
couple of stretches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEex3Bf4y8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaxtMjpOSmc

no harm trying some of this, which i shall do.

at the same time im sure there are much more experienced ppl here. any advise is highly appreciated..

thx

j

I am a doc, although not a GP or sports medicine doc. so I'm by no means a specialist.

The symptoms you describe sound more like a knee problem - eg a cartilage - than ITBS.

I'm afraid I would advise a trip to the docs and referral to someone who knows what they're talking about - like an orthopaedic consultant and ideally an MRI scan.

 

[jaynana]

I am a doc, although not a GP or sports medicine doc. so I'm by no means a specialist.

The symptoms you describe sound more like a knee problem - eg a cartilage - than ITBS.

I'm afraid I would advise a trip to the docs and referral to someone who knows what they're talking about - like an orthopaedic consultant and ideally an MRI scan.

damn!

hmm.. so that was too good to be true.. thanks doc, .. looks like i better get some help.. cheers mangaman, really appreciate it

 

[jaynana]

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

http://www.fix-knee-pain.com/cycling-knee-pain/

 

[albion]

It is certainly not usually caused by riding with a saddle too low.
My knee trouble was caused by hill walking and was first highlighted walking up stairs, probably after a hill walk..
A lower saddle may certainly highlight the damage as can driving with a different vehicle and alternative knee bend.
The op was unspecific so if also walks I'd start there.

The thing about walking is that, unlike cycling, both knees take 100% of your body weight 100% of the time.
Walking up stairs bends the knee and actually increases the weight on just one knee above 100%

On a side note, on abandoning walking 19 months ago it took near a full 12 months for some of my specific severe pains to fade and disappear. So no wonder it took me several years to fully pinpoint the near exact cause!