Oh Ma Achin' Knees!

I have managed to have surgery on both my knees (not Bike related) over the last ten years. The most recent being 2 months ago. I am concerned that I am not going to be able to ride fixed anymore because of the strain of constant peddling and stopping. I like to ride pretty fast and I dont want to end up with some wimpy gear ratio that take all the power and fun out of my ride.

Have any of you had any experiences with knee problems riding fixed gear? Or, possibly any advice pertaining to knees and fixies?

Cheers!

I tore the cartilage in one knee years ago and probably have not helped my knees by fencing as a sport.

Just started riding fixed a few weeks ago (with clips) and my knees were really starting to ache.

Changed to clipless spd's a few days ago and presto - no more knee pain.

What kind of surgery? I only ask because my gf had her ACL done a couple of years ago and my sis too, together with cartilage issues. As I understand it, cartilage/miniscus problems can cause more complications, but if it's ligament damage rehab is pretty good as long as you take it easy and take time to build up strength/stability. Although (and you might not like this) by gut reaction is that you should take ever effort to reduce the potential for adverse forces on your knee. This means: get pedals that allow as much free float as possible (so your knee can find the most advantageous alignment); gear down as low as possible (and learn to spin to maintain your speed!); sort out your bike position by getting fitted properly. (That said, I'm no medical expert, just a keen sportsman who's seem a few people go through knee injuries!)

Courant

bad knees is bad news. Everything movement related passes through the knees.

Just got to pamper them a bit i guess, take it easy and all that and wear those sport supports you can get.
They prevent further damage and enhance the endurance of damaged knees.
Pain in the ass but it's better than having really bad knees

What kind of surgery? I only ask because my gf had her ACL done a couple of years ago and my sis too, together with cartilage issues. As I understand it, cartilage/miniscus problems can cause more complications, but if it's ligament damage rehab is pretty good as long as you take it easy and take time to build up strength/stability. Although (and you might not like this) by gut reaction is that you should take ever effort to reduce the potential for adverse forces on your knee. This means: get pedals that allow as much free float as possible (so your knee can find the most advantageous alignment); gear down as low as possible (and learn to spin to maintain your speed!); sort out your bike position by getting fitted properly. (That said, I'm no medical expert, just a keen sportsman who's seem a few people go through knee injuries!)

Courant

I had meniscus surgery on both knees. I have to just take it a bit easy and I cant ride quite as hard as I used to and take a break at the sign of any pain. The whole thing really bums meet out. My bike is a massive part of my life and I feel awful when I cant ride. Old age I suppose. C'est La Vie.....sigh...

I recommend a course of HTFU! ;)
Only kiddin', my right knee hurts all the freakin' time, I think it's more from the braking/skidding than the peddling. Conversely, a mate was relating a tale of a friend of his who was basically prescribed riding fixed by his doctor to help build up his knees.

The side of my knee is being sore at the moment,
I blame the weather

Somebody should invent a bike with lots of different-sized cogs at the back with some way of changing the chain over from one to another.

But seriously - how about a geared bike, but fixed? I seem to recall hearing something about a Sturmey fixed three speed...

I'll probably be shot down for saying it but I can't recommend a proper technical fitting (either at cyclefit or I think Mosquito bikies who both have sizecycles) enough. All sorts of people seem to offer all sorts of advice such as shorter saddle height for fixies and so on much of which sounds suspect to me but its all opinion of one colour or another.

Speaking from experience I was an international standard rower 15 years ago and broke first my knees (chrondomalacia) and my back (disc hernia) badly through poor technique and unsupervised over training. I had such severe muscular problems it took me 8 years - most of my 20s - to be able to take any exercise at all. Four years ago I upgraded a commuter mtb to my first road machine and had it fitted at cyclefit including shoe wedges to support my foot position.

I havent had one single issue with knees or back in that time. And that's inspite of a short break from the bike to have a cancerous kidney removed and a rib taken out to get to it which effectively destroyed my core strength and a back which is hardly robust in any case.

The cyclefit/serotta system seems to be considered and have a strong basis in physiological insight and for me it has been the difference between exercising occasionally and having a full and active life. Better than that, this season I am putting out a steady 400w of power at threshold with no ill effects. For 130 quid or whatever they charge now (about 2.5 physio sessions if you go private) that seems not a lot to pay. I'm not a cyclefit booster - I'm probably a Brixton Cycles fan first and foremost witha softspot for a few other traders like hubjub. But I totally buy their sizing and fitting system (and who cares if my bike looks like a gate:-))

Of course all that could be incidental, and your real recovery due to the miraculous healing powers of a hand-built, independently traded fgb ;-)

I tore the cartilage in one knee years ago and probably have not helped my knees by fencing as a sport.

Just started riding fixed a few weeks ago (with clips) and my knees were really starting to ache.

Changed to clipless spd's a few days ago and presto - no more knee pain.

what weapon do you fence? what club?

i'm getting a cycle fit, soon, when i can afford it.

although it does worry me that they'll tell me stuff about my bike i won't want to hear

I had meniscus surgery on both knees. I have to just take it a bit easy and I cant ride quite as hard as I used to and take a break at the sign of any pain. The whole thing really bums meet out. My bike is a massive part of my life and I feel awful when I cant ride. Old age I suppose. C'est La Vie.....sigh...

In which case you need to proceed carefully! However, don't be bummed out about it, there's plenty you can do - keep a really positive attitude.

What I understand about cycling and knee injuries is that cycling puts your joints through a very controlled range of movement. You can only do yourself damage if one of two things happens: you lack stability in the joint (and this will be an issue with menisci injuries); you're loading your knee in an abnormal manner. Fortunately, both of these issues can be addressed: stability can be gained by strength training (not just the big muscles, but also all the supporting muscles and your core group); abnormal loading by proper positioning on the bike and the pedals (which will involve finding a pair of pedals that gives you the movement and position you need to make your body work), and, of course, gearing down so you reduce the amount of force going through the knee.

Getting yourself into a position when you can ride regularly may take some time and effort but is definitely achievable if you put your mind to it. (Why not write a blog too about your efforts - my gf found a really informative blog by an active sportsman recovering from an ACL injury and it was both really helpful and inspiring). View it as a challenge not a hinderance!

First off, I would find a good physio who's also a cyclist (and ideally has coached cyclists). They'll be able to make sure you're not doing yourself damage and can ensure you've got enough stability and, if not, give you a training plan to give you that stability.

Go and find a good pilates teacher for extra stability work.

Get fitted, as others have said. Buy new pedals at the same time and work out what might work. (Speedplay & Time are the obvious two candidates for good biomechanics)

Take it easy!

Courant

Oh, and a few more things...

Consider taking glucosamine & cod liver oil supplements. Opinion is divided about whether this will provide any short term effect (it seems to work for some people) but it does appear that this will lessen your chances of arthritis later on. Also, for both of these the risk of side effects is very low.

Knee supports don't actually do much in this case - they're more useful for muscular injuries. Your issue is going to be stability and a bit of neoprene is not going to add much and, if anything, might give you a false sense of security.

Courant

I had achey knees for years on and off(I is a courierer innit)used to do stretches to keep the pain at bay.Found that after drinking beer of a night/s my knobblies were f*cked in the morning.Changed to a smaller gear and never had knackered knees since.

do your leg stretches before you get on a bike. then your muscles work properly taking the strain off your knees.

In which case you need to proceed carefully! However, don't be bummed out about it, there's plenty you can do - keep a really positive attitude.

What I understand about cycling and knee injuries is that cycling puts your joints through a very controlled range of movement. You can only do yourself damage if one of two things happens: you lack stability in the joint (and this will be an issue with menisci injuries); you're loading your knee in an abnormal manner. Fortunately, both of these issues can be addressed: stability can be gained by strength training (not just the big muscles, but also all the supporting muscles and your core group); abnormal loading by proper positioning on the bike and the pedals (which will involve finding a pair of pedals that gives you the movement and position you need to make your body work), and, of course, gearing down so you reduce the amount of force going through the knee.

Getting yourself into a position when you can ride regularly may take some time and effort but is definitely achievable if you put your mind to it. (Why not write a blog too about your efforts - my gf found a really informative blog by an active sportsman recovering from an ACL injury and it was both really helpful and inspiring). View it as a challenge not a hinderance!

First off, I would find a good physio who's also a cyclist (and ideally has coached cyclists). They'll be able to make sure you're not doing yourself damage and can ensure you've got enough stability and, if not, give you a training plan to give you that stability.

Go and find a good pilates teacher for extra stability work.

Get fitted, as others have said. Buy new pedals at the same time and work out what might work. (Speedplay & Time are the obvious two candidates for good biomechanics)

Take it easy!

Courant

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, I have been looking at this whole thing as way more of a problem than a challenge. It's hard when you go from riding every day and feeling great to turning into a flabby out of shape couch potato in a matter of three months. It's all getting better fast though.

I'm gonna go drink some beer eat some crisps and watch worlds most amazing videos now! Cheers!

Had ops on both knees, but some time ago, seem to remember the doc saying I should lay off riding a bike, but did the opposite and went out and bought a new one, that was in 91-92 and i have never had any issues, maybe if you use a light support it might help, a physio told me that the supports are more a hindrance than cure, and only use them sparingly. f you use a gym, they reccommend light resistance work to build the muscle around the area - worked a treat for me.

this is weird cause i have been having just the left knee feeling funny for a week or so, it dosn't really hurt just feels...there. Do you know what i mean? I bought a smaller sprockt the other day and it's not got any better yet, might try the gluco and cod liver option thanks courant.

this is weird cause i have been having just the left knee feeling funny for a week or so, it dosn't really hurt just feels...there. Do you know what i mean? I bought a smaller sprockt the other day and it's not got any better yet, might try the gluco and cod liver option thanks courant.

Dude, supplements are not a cure and certainly won't help in the short term! If you've got pain, you've got to find the reason for that pain ASAP, for there will be one. Changed anything recently? Saddle, position, number of miles per week, pedals? Your big gear could well be a problem, but if you've aggravated your knee, you won't see any improvement by using the smaller sprocket until your injury calms down. So, rest, ice, ibuprofen. Where's the pain? Front (under the kneecap), back, inside, outside? This gives a clue as to what might be causing the problem. What's the nature of the pain? Ache, click, sharp?

Courant

Skoota, my left knee has felt the same for 6-9 months now. Not hurting, but I'm aware of a slight inflammation and pressure under the knee cap.

I should probably lay of riding for a while, but it's such a huge pain to get the bus to work and I miss the bike. My two week touring holiday in France and Spain next month probably won't help...

Skoota, my left knee has felt the same for 6-9 months now. Not hurting, but I'm aware of a slight inflammation and pressure under the knee cap.

I should probably lay of riding for a while, but it's such a huge pain to get the bus to work and I miss the bike. My two week touring holiday in France and Spain next month probably won't help...

I'd really get this sorted - what's mild discomfort now could very well develop into chronic tendonitis or cartilage problems. Chances are one of four things is happening: too big a gear; saddle too low; knee too far forward (either as a result of foot/pedal position or saddle being too far forward); your knee is swaying side to side during your pedal stroke. Quad strengthening always helps.

Courant

thanks courant, i have stayed of the bike for a couple of days, purely because i had to ferry someone around. I cut the end off of a small sock and pulled that over my knee and also iced it for a small time the other night. It does feel better. SParky that the kind of feeling i'm getting, inflammation almost like you get in your muscles when you've pumped some iron. I get the feeling i skidded a bit too much on the big gear and strained something. As far as something having changed, i change my bikes around a lot so it would be hard to whittle it down, but i'll have a think. Thanks for the advice.