Knee Pain

Have you seen anyone? I went in to see my GP, got referred to a specialist and both my patellas were fucked... They flared up when I got a job in Croydon and stopped commuting on the bike, I could barely walk...

Yes went to see GP referred me to the physio - had physio on NHS and private.

Last year had another bike fit. Fixed me for a bit with stretching it didn't hurt no where near as much when cycling.

I think in that time my seatpost could have slipped down and my knees have gone back to their old ways.

That blows, hope they sort themselves out soon...

I'd love some titanium knees.

With ceramic bearings.

My GF has had knee surgery twice (torn ACL aged 18 then tidy-up aged 25) and her cartilage is f*cked. She still runs marathons but the main point I was making is that they apparently can't make artificial cartilage good enough to replace her worn pad.

That blows, hope they sort themselves out soon...

Cheers mate.
I'm determined to not have surgery for them.

Off to the private physio again...

What's the deal with NHS physio? I haven't been to a GP for over 10 years and am considering going to see if I can get referred. Are they any good? Do I have to pay any amount?

I've been to a private physio before, but after 4 visits and £150 gone without much/any improvement to the reason I went (hamstring), I can't help thinking I might as well keep on with the daily stretching and very basic yoga I've been doing.

When I broke my wrist I had about 3 minutes of Physio at Homerton Hospital, then the guy kicked me out as others could use his time better. Fair enough I think.

What's the deal with NHS physio? I haven't been to a GP for over 10 years and am considering going to see if I can get referred. Are they any good? Do I have to pay any amount?

I've been to a private physio before, but after 4 visits and £150 gone without much/any improvement to the reason I went (hamstring), I can't help thinking I might as well keep on with the daily stretching and very basic yoga I've been doing.

Speaking from the experience I had getting my back sorted, I 100% agree with this... It may take time to see the results (about a year in my case) but it will pay off!

Just make sure you're doing the right stretches/strengthening... I used trial and error to figure out which positions worked for me, I went through about three physios and picked out the exercises that helped the most/didn't cause more pain...

And what was the original issue?

"I've been getting agonising knee pain on my road bike on anything over 60km. After going to Nic at VeloPhysio, we worked out that my left quads were so tight that my knee was being pulled outwards a little at the top of my pedal-stroke, misaligning my leg in action."

Was my initial problem - although I've got horribly tight hamstrings, psoas and muscles which contribute to (thankfully decreasing) back pain.

What set of stretches have you been doing Morgan?

Happy to let you know what I'm up to, but I explicitly DO NOT RECOMMEND doing these exercises without the prior advice of a certified medical professional. What has fixed my problem might exacerbate yours, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

In combination with hamstring stretches*, psoas stretches**, and ITB foam roller work, I've been using a foam roller on my quads, rolling right from the ditch of the hip down to my knee, along the outside front of my leg, so to speak. It's awkward and painful but its definitely, definitely helped.

I've also been doing 2 different kinds of squats to improve my knee strength and break bad habits. The first is a classic squat but thrusting your butt out so you end in a more sitting / bike riding position, and then pushing back up through the heels so your hamstrings pull. 20 times, focusing on clean form with a straight back.

The other is a one footed squat, while leaning in to a cycling position and extending the raised leg out behind you, almost like a superman pose. The important thing is to make sure both hips are perpendicular to the floor, which tends to need a mirror and a bit of weird shimmying around. Then bend your knee until you feel all the muscles in your knees engaged. Hold for 8-10 seconds and repeat 5 times on each foot.

• Lying on your back, wrap a towel around one foot and pull your straight leg as tight as it will go. Hold for 30 seconds, repeat 5 times for each foot.
  
  

** Kneel with one leg up, ensure your hips are tucked straight so your spine isn't curving and then raise your arm up and over your head on the same side as the knee on the floor. You should feel your hips and quads on the knee-down-side go taught as you stretch your psoas. This is VERY useful for loosening up your back, I'm told.

Ha! My physio's given me basically the exact same exercises for my ITB.

re stretching how much often should I be doing this?

Is there anything posture wise I should be doing? It's literally only this knee niggling me.

riding fixed?

Only been riding fixed for 2 weeks...knees are already killing!

Time for a break!

(ba du tish!)

^^ what gearing are you using? is your bike properly set up?

re stretching how much often should I be doing this?

The most you do the faster it works, I guess. I stretch every weekday and before rides.

Only been riding fixed for 2 weeks...knees are already killing!

Stop. Seriously stop and get that sorted out or you're going to pop a kneecap off.

I was promised an MRI when I called a few weeks ago for an appointment. This morning I had the appointment and was sent for an X-Ray. I took the X-Ray and my bones are fine. Got a new appointment with radiology for a real MRI on wednesday.

Yesterday I was woken by a very hot girl in a nurse outfit.

(fell asleep during the MRI).

I got back from the hospital. The results from my MRI are in. Both my knees have the same problems:

1. Torn meniscus
   
2. Not enough cartilage
   
   

Getting a call on monday for an appointment for a look and see operation.

I think I'm screwed

Good blog here for any patellar tendinopathy sufferers: http://eccentric-exercises.blogspot.co.uk/

Also, I've just ordered one of these: http://physiofoam.co.uk/

Fun times.

I'd suggest you just do squats on a towel (what my physio recommended) rather than one of those boards.

Also in other news - physio has said I can start cycling lightly again - and the nice weather is out!!

Too much float can be a problem also. Not sure if this has been posted already but try using this....

http://www.strawberrybicycle.com/sizing.htm

re stretching how much often should I be doing this?

The most you do the faster it works, I guess. I stretch every weekday and before rides.

I'd have thought stretching after rides would be more beneficial, as that is when the muscles are likely to tighten up due to the exertion?

Better yet before and after. Or All The Time