Knee Pain

I snapped the cartilage in my knee when I was 17, I fell out of a tree and twisted it badly and it locked. The cartilage had broken in half, flipped back on itself and effectively jammed my knee in a bent position. I hopped about for two weeks and finally had an operation. They drilled three holes, put the cartilage back where it belonged and stapled it together. Ten years on it still plays up, mostly I have to avoid twisting or crouching, putting undue stress on it. On the bike I make sure I keep it warm, and dont turn too big a gear unless I can help it. The best way to climb hills (especially on the fixed) is to keep momentum, stand up and sprint, using my whole body rather than letting the joint do the work.

I've been told I'm lucky to still have the cartilage, if they had removed it (which they nearly did) I would have arthritis by now. I have had crippling pain in the winter, not being able to use it at all and effectively commuting 3 months of the year one-legged, luckily this year has been fine. annoyingly i dont know what i did different.

My knee pain is still there but stretching helps no end.

The pain I've got has been caleld Pes Anserine Bursits.

Also I've had wedges fitted under my speed play cleats insoles in my shoes and I have to make more of a conscious effort to keep my knee straight when cycling. Also and this is a big point - making a point of keeping my legs straight when at work - as opposed to the usual 90 degree bend (feet flat on floor) makes all the difference.

Not sure if the pain will ever disappear 100% I bloody well hope so, but at least for now with ibuprofen and stretching It's manageable.

Has anyone else completely lost their knee pain from having wedges/ insoles fitted?

making a point of keeping my legs straight when at work - as opposed to the usual 90 degree bend (feet flat on floor) makes all the difference.

straightens out legs

I'd like to think that my knee pain will be gone all together. It makes me so angry that I can't cycle without pain.

Surely at my age I shouldn't have any pain at all, or any pain I do have should be disappearing quite fast.

When my knee got inflamed 2 years ago it took over a year for the pain to go, if not more. I'm now slowly building up milage again

Running have helped me a lot, it actually makes my knee pain go away, even though everyone says the opposite. Swimming helps too. Basically any cross training that will help with general core strength is a good thing. And fun, it turns out!

And stretching. Everyday. And morning yoga.

I'm going to start swimming. Already stretching everyday, it not only helps my knee but also makes me feel much better.

Can't wait to get rid of the pain!

I'd definitely recommend bluerip00 for a consultation. Between the bike fit, flexibility exercises and acupuncture (and I'm a big sceptic) there was a noticeable improvement.

In terms of joint supplements I'd highly recommend Animal Flex, I do a lot of weight lifting and it's definitely reduced general aches in my wrists and elbows as well. I've tried almost everything and nothing is as good, check out some of the reviews.

But what completely cured my knee aches was stopping riding brakeless. I thought I was riding pretty fast but when I put a front brake on my commuter I realised I was nowhere near my top speed. These days I reserve my brakeless riding for Herne Hill or taking the track bikes for a weekend spin down the spice route.

I don't ride brakeless either, not even fixed since my knees have been playing up. I'd love to ride fixed again one day but at the moment that's a no no.

^ same here

gears though, give it a go, it's super fun

Animal Flex

this stuff?

http://monstersupplements.com/store/p/2717/1/Universal-Animal-Flex-(44-paks).html

30 notes for 44 days? isn't there anything cheaper that's decent?

I'm taking sainsborgs own brand cod liver oil, no idea if it works, doesn't seem to harm at least

Try Glucasomine too.

#stilleffective

this stuff?

http://monstersupplements.com/store/p/2717/1/Universal-Animal-Flex-(44-paks).html

30 notes for 44 days? isn't there anything cheaper that's decent?

I'm taking sainsborgs own brand cod liver oil, no idea if it works, doesn't seem to harm at least

If you shop around (i.e. eBay) you can get it for around £25. I've tried glucosamine, chondritin, MSM and cod liver oil (most of these in liquid / powder form rather than the tiny dose you get in a pill) but Animal Flex just seems to work. It kind of doubles as a multi vitamin as well with the amount of stuff in it. Anyway works for me!

I miss the tags.

#placebos

this.

My knees aren't too bad at the moment, need a spinnier gear for the fixed but gears is mostly fine. Keeping on top of the Stretching and strength work has helped no end.

This thread is becoming a myth-fest!

Spenceey - I'm surprised that you have pes anserinus, I would suspect more likely PFJS. Wedges and biomechanical correction should help.

The pain I've got is below the knee on the inside, which is in line with Pes anserinus isn't it? What is PFJS? Since I've had the wedges, started stretching and have had insoles I've noticed a difference.

Pain is still there but not as bad, does this mean It'll eventually disappear over time?

I had really bad knee pain behind my knee caps, not when cycling but when walking or bending for days after riding. dropped my seat 1cm and moved it backwards 1cm and hey presto knees have been excellent ever since :) guess I was lucky.

The pain I've got is below the knee on the inside, which is in line with Pes anserinus isn't it? What is PFJS? Since I've had the wedges, started stretching and have had insoles I've noticed a difference.

Pain is still there but not as bad, does this mean It'll eventually disappear over time?

The pain location could be pes anserinus but this would be an unusual cause of pain in the ways you describe. PFJS is patellofemoral joint syndrome (knee cap involvement). If you correct your biomechanics and riding position and allow your knee to settle then hopefully you will be symptoms free.

That's great news. I wish I lived near (well nearer) to London so I could pay you a visit. Stretching every (well most) days is helping - I'm still using ibuprofen for now just to be sure.

I've been suffering from a sore left knee this week whilst riding. It's on the right-handside, just above the knee cap and gives me pain when I bend it.

No change in set-up at all but when I was riding home today it did occur to me that my cleats (SPDs) were significantly stiffer to twist out of and am wondering if this caused it.

Will oil them and slacken them a bit and see if that helps but just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem.

Also curious whether the cleats could be on their way out. I've probably done about 2,000 miles with them and about 1,000 with these pedals (Shimano M424) and I was fairly sure that they were fine for plenty more than that and you'd be slipping out when they were worn.

Cheers

It's not knee pain as such, but for the last two days, when I do more then 30 mins in the saddle, I get numbness and loss of feeling from the left knee to the left foot.

I haven't changed my saddle height, cranks, pedals, cleats or anything for that matter.

Any ideas?

It's not knee pain as such, but for the last two days, when I do more then 30 mins in the saddle, I get numbness and loss of feeling from the left knee to the left foot.

I haven't changed my saddle height, cranks, pedals, cleats or anything for that matter.

Any ideas?

loss of feeling must surely be better than added feeling of pain?

Oh eye...
It's not pain. More discomfort.

Does make for an amusing sight when I get off the bike with one numb leg.
It's reminiscant of a baby calf with CJD

if it goes numb wouldn't it be a pinched nerve somewhere?