sore legs (please help me)

[Lucasmik]

I recently completed 35 miles on my bike but them I suffered from pains in my left knee, I am pretty sure its my hamstring but this always seems to happen after I exercise even after a round of golf. I am left footed if that makes any difference, is their anything I can do to stop this or is their something I am doing wrong to cause it.
The pain comes from the left side of my knee and hurts more when I am coming down stairs or my leg is in that position. Also when I stop riding the pain gets worse and at night when in bed my leg locks up and hurts to straighten.

 

[snails pace]

I am no expert, but others on here have much more knowledge



Give them all the details.



Where exactly is the pain, and what type of pain.
What stretching do you do before/after a ride.

Any other factors?



Hope you get this sorted and enjoy your riding

 

[Enrico]

Hi Lucas,

How do you warm up and cool down?

 

[vickster]

Have you had a full set up done of the bike? It seems like knee pain (where there is no evident injury) is often down to saddle height, pedals/cleats and other aspects of the bike...and did you warm up and stretch properly after the ride?

 

[Banjo]

+1 to Vicksters post.

I had a similar problem and was advised to do more stretching before and especially after cycling. Seems to have worked for me.

 

[chillyuk]

Have a look at "iliotibial band syndrome". Obviously final diagnosis requires expert examination.

 

[ventoux50]

Have a look at "iliotibial band syndrome". Obviously final diagnosis requires expert examination.

rubbish


This is exactly why you shouldn't rely on internet forums for any sort of medical advice.

rubbish because

• with ITB syndrome there is no locking of the joint
• no increase in pain at cessation of exercise (it is worse performing the motion)
• no difference in pain during descending stairs.

I presume chillyuk that you've had a personal experience of ITB discomfort, therefore what worked for you might work for others, however, if there is a more serious injury present, performing ITB specific stretches could cause more damage.

In my professional opinion I would expect LucasMik, that when you accept that you need to be examined by your GP/physio/chiropractor/ then he/she will discover that you have some degree of meniscal damage in the lateral compartment of your knee joint . . . . . hence the 'locking'

ITB stretches effectively 'gap' the lateral side of the knee joint, possibly allowing excessive movement of the (already) damaged meniscus and possibly leading to further tearing.



The only advice you should take is . . . . . . .



wait for it . . . . . . . . .









go and see your GP.



simples.

 

[chillyuk]

rubbish


This is exactly why you shouldn't rely on internet forums for any sort of medical advice.

rubbish because

• with ITB syndrome there is no locking of the joint
• no increase in pain at cessation of exercise (it is worse performing the motion)
• no difference in pain during descending stairs.

I presume chillyuk that you've had a personal experience of ITB discomfort, therefore what worked for you might work for others, however, if there is a more serious injury present, performing ITB specific stretches could cause more damage.
.

I fully accept your fuller knowledge, but it would have been polite in your rebuke to also quote my second sentence which supports what others have said regarding seeking professional help.

 

[ventoux50]

I fully accept your fuller knowledge, but it would have been polite in your rebuke to also quote my second sentence which supports what others have said regarding seeking professional help.

Apologies for unsettling your good self, but I have to ask, if you aren't an expert, why would you offer misguided advice in the first place ?

 

[Lucasmik]

Thanks i do agree that the GP is the best option, i just thought someone may have expeirienced the same. I only get the pain in my left leg and it is only after hard exercise but it is worse when i run, someone mentioned to me that it may be my hamstring so i may have to get that checked tbh i have not given it a period of rest which may be needed.

Thanks for all your opinions and ideas.

 

[vickster]

You should either see the GP, or if you have the money, or private health insurance, a physio may be a good bet as they tend to be rather more expert in these things than GPs (in both diagnosis and treatment) - you can self refer privately (for the NHS, you need the GP to, and your private insurers may demand it too).

I have had knee issues for nearly 2 years, ok I have had 2 lots of keyhole surgery following traumatic damage falling off a bike (oops), and have to say, although my GP has been supportive, her usefulness has been for writing referrals and prescribing painkillers! The specialists (i.e. physio and surgeons) have been the main players

 

[Tynan]

if it happens after a round of golf it's not cycle specific is it, knee specific, if walking aggravates it then perfect setup is going to aggravate it