Dreaded Knee Injury

[Craig71]

I sustained a knee injury in October 2012 while cycling 65miles, the pain started in the left side of the knee cap (right knee)and traveled around 3 inches down the left side, anyhow to cut a long story short I haven't been out on the road since then just spinning my legs on a turbo trainer, Thinking that I'd rested long enough I went out on the road yesterday and the same knee pain came back after 5 miles.

My bike has been set up professionally, so does anyone have any ideas why I can spin no problems but a flat road course brings back the knee pain.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Because spinning on a turbo is less stressful than road riding. Did you not think to get a professional diagnosis in the three months that you were off the bike?

 

[Craig71]

Because spinning on a turbo is less stressful than road riding. Did you not think to get a professional diagnosis in the three months that you were off the bike?

Yes,I had a MRI scan which showed nothing, various physio sessions and finaly I saw an osteopath, they all gave me exercises to build up the VMO muscle, but no one had a definitive answer to what was causing the knee problem. The osteopath seemed to think my knee was okay and that I should go and try some road cycling which I did.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Did the knee problems start after the bike fit? Please tell me they didn't...

 

[albion]

Bike fit = seat as high as can be comfortable.

A touch higher if its knee problem like mine that occurs when 'working hard with bent knee'.

 

[RWright]

Same bike on the road and turbo?

 

[Craig71]

No ,the knee problem came before the bike fit, I thought the bike fit would fix the problem.

 

[Craig71]

Same bike on the road and turbo?

Yes...

 

[e-rider]

do you trust the 'pro' bike fitter? Try a simple test once you have rested the knee a bit - put some flat pedals and trainers on and go for a ride, and only ride and the hoods and tops of the bars.

 

[albion]

No ,the knee problem came before the bike fit, I thought the bike fit would fix the problem.

Obviously you have to emulate the turbo trainer.

I get quite fed up with changing gear many times as often as I used to.
But for me, it is compulsory

 

[black'n'yellow]

Obviously you have to emulate the turbo trainer.

what?

 

[Craig71]

do you trust the 'pro' bike fitter? Try a simple test once you have rested the knee a bit - put some flat pedals and trainers on and go for a ride, and only ride and the hoods and tops of the bars.

If I have no problems with the knee whilst cycling in trainers, does this point towards cleat position? excuse my ignorance as I'm relatively new to road cycling.

 

[e-rider]

If I have no problems with the knee whilst cycling in trainers, does this point towards cleat position? excuse my ignorance as I'm relatively new to road cycling.

it could point to a number of things, but all would be related to bike fit, including cleat positioning, pedal release tension and angular float of the cleat/pedal. As well as saddle position, crank length.......... just let your feet go where they naturally want to go whilst cycling in trainers, but don't use your clipless pedals as your feet will slip off and maybe makes things even worse. A cheap pair of those big plastic things would be best

is the pain in the same leg that you unclip at every stop/junction?

 

[HLaB]

Just a stab in the dark but my knee problems were caused by collapsed insteps (orthotics is the solution). I also get occasional discomfort if I sit cross legged (crossed thighs) for any length of time or sit on one sit bone and should avoid them.

 

[Craig71]

it could point to a number of things, but all would be related to bike fit, including cleat positioning, pedal release tension and angular float of the cleat/pedal. As well as saddle position, crank length.......... just let your feet go where they naturally want to go whilst cycling in trainers, but don't use your clipless pedals as your feet will slip off and maybe makes things even worse. A cheap pair of those big plastic things would be best

is the pain in the same leg that you unclip at every stop/junction?

No, I unclip my left ,the knee pains in the right.