Pain at back of leg behind knee

[GmanUK65]

For a few weeks now I have been having pains at the back of my left leg behind the knee, especially when riding. What could this be? I have thought of a couple of reasons why this is happening but do not know if this could be the case.

Last week I noticed my legs were a bit too bent on the end of my down strokes when pedalling so I raised the seat to a position where my legs are just slightly bent (I think this is the correct positioning though still not sure). The pain still exists.

Also, a few weeks ago I started using cadence in my cycling which has greatly improved my riding. It is around this time that my pain started. I pedal at around 85 - 90 rpm, though there are times that it is over 100 rpm which is when I go up a gear to bring my cadence down. Ive noticed that the pain occurs when cycling over this rpm.

Could either or both of these reasons be causing this problem or could there be other reasons too?

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I knew that a saddle too low can cause knee pain not sure about cadence though. Maybe check your fore and aft saddle position too.

 

[Sharky]

Tiny changes can create or cure problems. I recently bought two pairs of new cycling shoes. With one I was getting pains in my right foot and with the other pair I was getting pains in my left! In this case something was obviously different with the cleats, but I could not spot any significant difference. Eventually both pairs became comfortable.

In your case, if you suspect the pain started when you changed things - saddle height or greater cadence. Can you reverse things and go back to riding how you did. This might pin point something, although it might just be an injury that could have been induced by the changes or just a coincidence that will just take time to recover.

Good luck

 

[Rob3rt]

Tiny changes can create or cure problems. I recently bought two pairs of new cycling shoes. With one I was getting pains in my right foot and with the other pair I was getting pains in my left! In this case something was obviously different with the cleats, but I could not spot any significant difference. Eventually both pairs became comfortable.

In your case, if you suspect the pain started when you changed things - saddle height or greater cadence. Can you reverse things and go back to riding how you did. This might pin point something, although it might just be an injury that could have been induced by the changes or just a coincidence that will just take time to recover.

Good luck

Both pairs of shoes would not been likely to have the exact same stack height, that could quite easily cause issues, when I changed from Northwave to S-Works shoes I had to lower my saddle as the stack height on the S-Works was a lot lower. Worth keeping it in mind.

 

[cyberknight]

Pain ehind the knee is normally a sign that the saddle height is too high so it could be a combination of shoe stack height and raising the saddle has tipped you over the edge .
A non scientic method of gettign the saddle about right is to have the leg straight when your heel is on the pedal.
This is a handy site ....
http://www.bikefit.com/s-13-road-bikes.aspx

 

[Crackle]

Saddle too high or too far back, lower it back down again.

 

[GmanUK65]

A lot of people are saying that my saddle is too high, including reading other articles outside cyclechat but this problem has been present before I raised my saddle, though it was not as bad as it is now. I think I will have to experiment with various saddle heights tomorrow while going for a short ride. Maybe even asking any riders I come across to see if my saddle looks the right height.

I am glad it is doubtful to do with my cadence because since using this my performance (apart from the pain) has improved a lot.

 

[vickster]

Do you get pain when not on a bike and a few days rest off the bike? If not perhaps it might be time to see a doctor/physio to rule out an injury

 

[GmanUK65]

There is something else that I should mention, the pain becomes a slight ache while off the bike for a few days. Is this normal if the saddle is not set up correctly?

 

[GmanUK65]

Do you get pain when not on a bike and a few days rest off the bike? If not perhaps it might be time to see a doctor/physio to rule out an injury

Strange that I was writing a post while this was being written. It seems a doctor appointment is needed.

 

[vickster]

Do you have any swelling in the knee, have you used any ice on it, an anti inflammatory? Knee aches and pains have a myriad of causes which may or may not have anything to do with cycling

 

[GmanUK65]

No swelling in the knee it seems (its no different from my right knee). I have not used any anti inflammatory yet, I think that might be in order. I haven't used any ice on it either.

 

[vickster]

See the doctor and if you get no joy or it continues, pay to see a physio (if you are happy the bike is set up right)

 

[GmanUK65]

See the doctor and if you get no joy or it continues, pay to see a physio (if you are happy the bike is set up right)

Thank you. I was thinking of doing this anyway but you have made me realize that it must be done

 

[montage]

For a few weeks now I have been having pains at the back of my left leg behind the knee, especially when riding. What could this be? I have thought of a couple of reasons why this is happening but do not know if this could be the case.

Last week I noticed my legs were a bit too bent on the end of my down strokes when pedalling so I raised the seat to a position where my legs are just slightly bent (I think this is the correct positioning though still not sure). The pain still exists.

Also, a few weeks ago I started using cadence in my cycling which has greatly improved my riding. It is around this time that my pain started. I pedal at around 85 - 90 rpm, though there are times that it is over 100 rpm which is when I go up a gear to bring my cadence down. Ive noticed that the pain occurs when cycling over this rpm.

Could either or both of these reasons be causing this problem or could there be other reasons too?

I am no expert - so just providing food for thought.

Increased muscular pain when cycling at a high cadence may suggest overstretching of the muscle (i.e. the muscle is too tight). Reasons I can think for this happening - you don't stretch enough, you drop your hip whilst cycling (i.e. one hip shuffles forwards a bit so you are not sitting square on the saddle), or you have an imbalance, possibly in leg length (history of broken limbs?.

Whilst pursuing professional assistance I would also consider:
1 - making sure you sit square on the saddle
2 - stretch stretch stretch, especially those hamstring. Touching your toes should be easy.
3 - photograph your legs whilst standing naturally and wearing cycling shorts and compare height of hip bones, knees and check for anything offset.
4 - get your saddle position sorted, consider a bike fit.