For as long as I can remember I've had slightly dodgy knees. A combination of mostly football, a bit of running, and probably my first LEJOG as a very inexperienced cyclist, I've suffered with aches and pains in both knees, but it's something I've lived with and hasn't stopped me at all, it's just been a little uncomfortable or mildly painful at times during/post exercise.
At the end of 2009 I saw a consultant and he recommended an arthroscopy in my left knee, which I had. I never saw the consultant again post-general anaesthetic - a junior dr appeared at my follow up review. I was offered no physio, and wasn't even told what procedures they had carried out during the surgery - cartilidge trim etc.
I therefore carried out my own rehabilitation, returning to cycling and football when I felt able, and I've pretty much managed any discomfort for the last 4-5 years. I don't have full flexibility in the joint, I occassionally get locking or catching in what feels like the tendons, I can't sit with a bent knee for long periods without stretching it, i.e. work meetings, cinema, flights etc, but on the whole, it's been perfectly manageable for riding to work most days, playing football at least once a week, club runs and a few time trials.
I therefore don't know if the pain I feel in my left knee when I cycle now is a recurrance or a sign of things worsening, or a bad cleat or saddle position.
Specifically, it's in the gap between the kneecap itself and the medial muscle on the inner front of my left thigh, and also slightly behind the kneecap. It can come and go during rides, and is definitely a manageable pain that I'd probably refer to as a niggle more than anything more serious, but here's the next issue...
I've certainly upped my mileage recently as in May this year I'm attempting to live up to my username and complete my second LEJOG. I'm getting really concerned that this is either going to stop me from taking part, cause me major problems during the ride, or if I do complete, will be left in a very poor state afterwards.
I guess the first piece of advice I'm looking for is positional. Does anyone know what sort of incorrect set up might lead to pain in this area of the knee. e.g. seat too far back/forward, cleat set up too far forward, heel too far in etc.
It may simply be a small reaction to an increase in mileage, and therefore given a bit of rest it might subside and I'll have been worrying over nothing. I just don't want to go racing off to the GP and get dragged back into surgery before exploring all options for fixing it myself. Am I therefore perhaps better off getting a decent bike fit as a first port of call to rule that out before getting drs involved?
Cheers guys
At the end of 2009 I saw a consultant and he recommended an arthroscopy in my left knee, which I had. I never saw the consultant again post-general anaesthetic - a junior dr appeared at my follow up review. I was offered no physio, and wasn't even told what procedures they had carried out during the surgery - cartilidge trim etc.
I therefore carried out my own rehabilitation, returning to cycling and football when I felt able, and I've pretty much managed any discomfort for the last 4-5 years. I don't have full flexibility in the joint, I occassionally get locking or catching in what feels like the tendons, I can't sit with a bent knee for long periods without stretching it, i.e. work meetings, cinema, flights etc, but on the whole, it's been perfectly manageable for riding to work most days, playing football at least once a week, club runs and a few time trials.
I therefore don't know if the pain I feel in my left knee when I cycle now is a recurrance or a sign of things worsening, or a bad cleat or saddle position.
Specifically, it's in the gap between the kneecap itself and the medial muscle on the inner front of my left thigh, and also slightly behind the kneecap. It can come and go during rides, and is definitely a manageable pain that I'd probably refer to as a niggle more than anything more serious, but here's the next issue...
I've certainly upped my mileage recently as in May this year I'm attempting to live up to my username and complete my second LEJOG. I'm getting really concerned that this is either going to stop me from taking part, cause me major problems during the ride, or if I do complete, will be left in a very poor state afterwards.
I guess the first piece of advice I'm looking for is positional. Does anyone know what sort of incorrect set up might lead to pain in this area of the knee. e.g. seat too far back/forward, cleat set up too far forward, heel too far in etc.
It may simply be a small reaction to an increase in mileage, and therefore given a bit of rest it might subside and I'll have been worrying over nothing. I just don't want to go racing off to the GP and get dragged back into surgery before exploring all options for fixing it myself. Am I therefore perhaps better off getting a decent bike fit as a first port of call to rule that out before getting drs involved?
Cheers guys
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I had an issue with my knee that I put down to my dodgy leg that hadn't troubled me for years . After switching bikes it hasn't re appeared even though I have been going further and faster . I guess I just had a bad set up .
