Is cycling good or bad for Arthritus in the knee?

[united4ever]

Off to the docs this week, I haven't been diagnosed yet but all of my symptoms match Arthritus.

Only been cycling a few months so maybe my technique isn't quite as refined as it should be. I just cycle in trainers on a hybrid for commuting.

Been trying to focus slightly more on rotating the peddles faster rather than pushing down on the peddles too hard to make sure no real pressure is put on the knee. Been using a slightly lower gear than normal too which again means more rotations but less real pushing or pressure on the knee.

As per the title? If Arthritus is confirmed should I expect cycling to help or hinder my Arthritus...any tips for managing it from a cycling perspective? It's only in one knee and I never had any serious injuries there...though I did used to go jogging years ago and they got a bit sore then so I stopped...this was 10 years ago and am in my early forties now.

I'll wait to see what the doc says but just wondering if I am doing more harm than good with the cycling?

 

[ColinJ]

I was about 4 stone overweight until about 3 years ago and was starting to show similar early signs of arthritis. I was struggling to get up from armchairs and to use stairs. Losing that surplus weight helped a lot. So, if you are overweight, you should slim down, and cycling should help with that.

I found using too high a gear on the bike a bit painful so I preferred to 'spin' a lower gear. You are already doing that.

Make sure that your saddle is high enough. Having the saddle too low is bad for knees, and many beginners have their saddles too low. If you can stand over your saddle, it is way too low! Your legs should be almost, but not quite straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke. You can find lots of advice online on checking your position on the bike, or get somebody who knows what they are doing to help you.

 

[vickster]

What symptoms do you have which makes you think it's arthritis (i.e. deterioration of the articular cartilage on the bones) ?

In principle, cycling is beneficial for knee arthritis as it is low impact. However, it is important that the bike fits well, the saddle is at the correct height and also that all the leg muscles are working properly and are flexible.

Any activity is good for arthritis as the movement keeps the joint flexible and lubricated, so make sure you walk and also perhaps add swimming in to your keep fit regimen

I have early arthritis essentially in both knees, my specialist reckons I probably overdo the cycling but he certainly doesn't discourage me as it helps fitness and weight maintenance (which as Colin says is key). Avoid pedalling out of the saddle as that, especially if technique is poor, can make things worse - so sit and spin

Although the evidence isn't conclusive, you might find supplements beneficial - omega 3 fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, taken in the correct doses (avoid all if allergic to fish or seafood however)

 

[Citius]

As Vickster says - you seem to have self-diagnosed and convinced yourself you have something which a medical practitioner has not even looked at yet. It could just as easily be an over-use injury, or patella related. Let's not go looking for remedies for something you don't even know you have got.

 

[vickster]

It could be arthritis on the patella for example if it's painful on bending and especially going up and down stairs around the kneecap

That said, I have had grade 3 damage (the scale goes from 0-4) cleaned up on both kneecaps and I rarely have any pain around the kneecap! Referred pain is very common though and indeed odd!

Typical symptoms of arthritis, pain walking, including stairs, stiffness at rest, pain often at night, swelling...with cartilage damage diagnosed on X ray, MRI or visibly during surgery. Even if it's not arthritis, losing weight, exercise and not grinding on the pedals are all good for general knee health, whatever the issue

If you want to read up a bit on arthritis before seeing the doctor, this is straightforward

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/primers/joint-cartilage-and-arthritis-primer

There are other information sections here http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/primers

 

[united4ever]

Thanks all, yeah, I am jumping the gun here. Will wait and see what the doctor says. Spinning the wheels in a lower gear sounds like the way to go until my appointment. I am maybe slightly overweight - 80 kg and 180 cm, do have a bit of a belly that I should lose. Being overweight leads to so much other illness any loss pays back in so many ways. Thanks again

 

[vickster]

Thanks all, yeah, I am jumping the gun here. Will wait and see what the doctor says. Spinning the wheels in a lower gear sounds like the way to go until my appointment. I am maybe slightly overweight - 80 kg and 180 cm, do have a bit of a belly that I should lose. Being overweight leads to so much other illness any loss pays back in so many ways. Thanks again

I'd be surprised if that weight is a major issue. What symptoms do you have that make you think arthritis? Have you had surgery on the knee before, torn ligaments etc?

 

[Apollonius]

The correct position on the bike is critical for comfort and lack of pain - to within a few millimetres. If you are doing any sort of distance, that is. As soon as you are regularly doing more than 20km, say, you are asking quite a lot of your body and you need to get position on the bike right. Pushing hard on the pedals from odd angles is a sure cause of knee pain. Check that first.

 

[albion]

As someone who had to adjust, the 2 imprtant factors are seat height and always having a low impact gear available.
A common issue is having the seat too low thus increasing overall knee impact.

Get it right and it is far better than walking, an exercise with little in the way of impact adjustment.

 

[MarkF]

I had/have arthritis of the hip and knees, the former from an accident and the latter from football. 10 years ago I could hardly walk, and because of that I was overweight, I needed a low impact sport and after a false start with swimming, (b.o.r.i.n.g), I took up cycling.

Within a year I'd done a Dales tour, within two the C2C, and within three, crossed France. There is no stopping me now, I am many kg's lighter, toned and in better shape than I was 25 and incredibly, I can now play 5 a-side each week, at 53. Use it or lose it.