Knee pain?

[Jamie_C]

Hi guys,

I've been back on my bike since August after a 12 year absence from the sport. I'm 30 years old.

I've recently joined a club and go on regular club runs. The problem I just can't seem to stop getting injuries which I know is likely since I've not long been back on the bike and the club runs are fairly quick which is giving me a really good workout.

On Sundays I'm riding about 50 - 60 miles and I try and get out twice during the week for a swift 25 miles. I'm averaging about 14.5mph average.

My current injury is to my left knee. (or at least I think it is my knee) After a really hard (hilly) ride last Sunday the knee was very sore and inflamed and it was difficult to bend my leg all the way. I actually think the injury is located in my lower thigh. Is this normal?

I've been resting it all week and taking Ibuprofen several times a day and it was starting to get better, but I woke up this morning in agony and it feels really sore today for some reason. I really don't want to take a lengthy break from cycling as I'm enjoying it so much, but I'm worried that that might be the only option. Has anyone else suffered from this type of injury? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

 

[Dusty Bin]

To answer your question - injuries are not 'normal' - get it looked at and diagnosed, then go from there. Does sound like you are doing too much too soon though, so I would guess you have a stress/over-use injury, rather than anything more chronic.

 

[albion]

Saddle height, not spinning or having the granny gear to spin up the hills.

I've just got a new 'old road bike' and losing maybe near 50% of the low end gearing I had to stand up to save the knees.
The stress sat down when the knees bent is currently far too high, also stressing my hips too much.

 

[vickster]

See a gp or better a sports physio if you have insurance or the cash. Don't ignore niggles, they can become chronic before you know.

Check bike set up and technique

Have you also tried ice and / or heat?

 

[Jamie_C]

Thank you all for the input.

My bike position is fine, (I think) I'm very comfortable. Although I think I will have someone knowledgeable check it out to be sure.

I haven't tried anything other than Ibuprofen so far, but icing the area sounds like a good idea.

I'll most likely go and see my doctor if there are no improvements after the weekend and see what they say.

Thanks all.

Jamie

 

[vickster]

Just make sure you take the ibuprofen with food. My gp says it's better to take one 400mg than 2x200mg, not quite sure why though
A nice hot bath may help too

You may be comfy on the bike but your saddle height may not be quite right, lots of online guides to set the height

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Stretch before and after your ride. I had knee pain on top of my right knee. Had a proper bike fit and stopped riding for a week and a half. First run today on 17 miles but no pain so I guess I was over doing it as I was 125 miles per week 8 weeks in. Too much too soon!

 

[HLaB]

Saddle height, not spinning or having the granny gear to spin up the hills.

I've just got a new 'old road bike' and losing maybe near 50% of the low end gearing I had to stand up to save the knees.
The stress sat down when the knees bent is currently far too high, also stressing my hips too much.

Cleat angle or position can be a cause too.

 

[albion]

Not for me sadly. Not having ridden drops for years now I also found my hands and wrists immediately hurt bad .
I was out on it today and not so bad. I also removed the toe straps.
I really liked them but I'm too slow getting the left foot back in at lights etc to feel safe.

While I'm only doing 30 miles a ride I'll experiment with it as it is. But for long rides methinks the 42/52 chainwheel really needs to become a 28/42.

 

[albion]

Jamies_C, I just reread your post and when I got riding again from knee injury I woke up with the worst knee pain ever.
I took another break and looking back part of that problem was low seat height.

However I now do as much as 1000 miles per month only because the main task in hand is always to spin easy up every hill.
The usual flat bar bike I ride has a 22/28 and I was very noticeably pain free after a 300 mile week. It is now set up as 22/34 as I have been avoiding some of the more interesting rides.

What I find interesting now is that I regularly get passed by some fast guys who I then pass on hills. I coax my knees on the flat yet the faster riders are too high geared to be efficient up those hills.

 

[cyberknight]

Just make sure you take the ibuprofen with food. My gp says it's better to take one 400mg than 2x200mg, not quite sure why though
A nice hot bath may help too

You may be comfy on the bike but your saddle height may not be quite right, lots of online guides to set the height

I would bet 1 tablet has less surface area than 2 small ones so dissolves more slowly into the gut so theres less chance of irritation.
As for saddle height mine has felt a bit odd for a week so i checked and it had moved 5 mm back and 3 mm down .......

 

[Jamie_C]

Thank you all for your input!

I think I will start by having someone look at my bike position, and make adjustments where necessary.

The knee does feel a bit better today, but I haven't been for a ride in over a week.

Jamie