Knee Pain

^^ Thanks both!

Just shows that a bit of rest, albeit a very long rest for me, and some cross training can work wonders. Don't give up folks!

So some progress.

I've been cycling to work with a knee strap and have moved saddle back slightly.

The knee which was in pain has now almost stopped (can still feel it when sat at desk for long time) but the pain is now on the other knee - which makes me think maybe it's down to leg length differences?

I'm not sure if anyone reading this also does barbell training, but how do you fixed (brakeless I guess) folks find your knees during squats? I feel like my left knee has seriously taken a bruising over the years, as it's my left that I push back with and right that I pull up with when riding. Due to that it cracks all the time and I often get pain when I'm sat still (at the cinema for example) for long periods of time... And when I do my warm up sets in the gym I will often feel as if there is pressure around the kneecap until it cracks hard...

Any ideas on what to do / whats damaged? I take an Omega Oil supplement and Glucosamine at the moment...

You have classic PFJS, most likely due to a biomechanical imbalance around the knee resulting in abnormal joint loading. Ischaemic positions like sitting with bent knees are classic symptoms, as are squatting and stair walking. Go and see a professional for an assessment. PM if you have any specific queries.

Had a couple of weeks resting , now just doing short under 20 mile rides . seems ok for now.

of the bike fit i had, i feel this was the best thing i got out of it:
http://bikedynamics.co.uk/kneepain.htm

Cleat Misalignment
A very common cause of knee pain is misalignment of the cleats, causing the foot to be excessively toed in or out. Ideally the foot will be allowed to adopt its natural position with adequate float each side to accommodate any rotation whilst pedalling. If the foot is held in an unnatural posture, the tibia will be rotated, again causing poor patella tracking and unnecessary strains on knee ligaments. If the foot is excessively toed in, this will contribute to the tension in the illiotibial band (ITB) a fibrous connective tissue that runs along the thigh and attaches to the tibia. This band has to cope with the articulaltion of the knee but can often become inflamed due to friction.

(i didn't fit with them, just googled for "proper" [online] advice)

Saw a consultant surgeon today. I need to have a meniscectomy on my left knee. Should take a couple of months to arrange via the NHS. Additionally I have osteoarthritis in my knees.

Old age problems in my 30s.

At work yesterday I had to put bread out which involves a lot of kneeling down and generally going from the floor to standing, my knee has been getting better since my accident but after yesterday I was left with it feeling really week and pathetic. I had a decent nights sleep and this morning it feels much better from yesterday, it feels bruised and not as strong as before the accident. Can anyone recommend something to aid it's recovery until I can get referred some physio?

^ Rest Ice Compression Elevation

Am now waiting for surgery on my knee, have received the consultants report stating this is the appropriate course of action.

Last night I was woken when I rolled over in bed and felt a pop in my knee. It feels like the meniscus tore a little bit more when that happened as my leg is locking out even more.

NHS have been great so far, but now hoping the operation date is soon.

Thanks DJ, I hope your knee gets sorted asap!

I rested it over the weekend and it feels a tonne better, I think it's more bruising rather than actual injury causing an issue. Went for a spin out to Hamble for a pint with some friends last night and taking it easy for the first couple of miles to warm up it seems to be ok. Woke up this morning and it still feels a little tender when I touch around the impact area but walking etc it appears fine. Just need to get my back and neck sorted now....

^ Rest Ice Compression Elevation

Am now waiting for surgery on my knee, have received the consultants report stating this is the appropriate course of action.

Last night I was woken when I rolled over in bed and felt a pop in my knee. It feels like the meniscus tore a little bit more when that happened as my leg is locking out even more.

NHS have been great so far, but now hoping the operation date is soon.

Looks like you're on the same waiting list as my Dad then.

How to make me feel like a really old man!

Osgood schlatter's disease anybody? My knee's started to makes noises when I squat with weights. Pretty sure that's not normal... no more squats and back to the med for me I think.

osgood schlatters is a deformity that happens during growth spurts

i have it, but it has never caused functional problems

^yep. That's me most of the time, but sometimes it does cause me issues... But only stiffness really. When it does I use the ibuprofen gel my GP perscribed for me (which doesn't do much) and my bandage thingy which I find actually helps A LOT.

Osgood schlatter's disease anybody? My knee's started to makes noises when I squat with weights. Pretty sure that's not normal... no more squats and back to the med for me I think.

My knee clicks too - however, if you're experiencing knee pain squatting, it could well be to do with your form in the rack - I squat 3x times a week, pretty heavy on Mondays and Fridays and my knee is never sore after (though it does hurt post riding brakeless pretty often). Squatting can really strengthen your knees and legs, but ONLY if it's done right... The biggest improvement I ever made in mine was going from an Olympic style (on the traps) squat to a more powerlifting (Low-Bar) squat. It forces you to use your hams, glutes and posterior chain far more, and take the stress off your knees as you push your knees out over your toes and let your butt do the work. Also make sure you always go DEEP!

This article is a great example - http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/69_08_low_high_bar_squats.pdf

^this is soooo helpful. Thank you! That link's awesome too. I'm gonna give it a go, and hope my knee feels a bit better.

+1 to you, Sir.

Funny, I had migrated to a low-bar squat myself while finding a more comfortable and what feels like more effective squat...

Also, stretching can help sore knees.

Hello everyone, this morning on the way to uni, I was being a twat, and fell off my bike. Well, I didn't fall off, I leapt off and let the bike fall (was riding unclipped, non-fixed).

So anyway, everything seemed fine so I carried on cycling up this big hill to my lecture. I get there lock up, and whilst walking notice my knee is getting worse. It continued to get worse and worse, and now every time the leg is straight and I use the muscles it really hurts. If I bend it it's fine, but anything past 45 degrees from full bend is really painful.

The odd thing is I landed on my feet, and I'm pretty sure I didn't bang my knee on my bike, but I must have. There's a tiny bit of scab and purple bruise, but it's no more than 4x6mmin size. There's also some odd pinkish swelling around it. At 90 degrees from straight the scab/bruise is about a 1/3rd in from the outside of the knee cap, on the top edge of the knee cap. The pain seems to correlate to that point and directly above that point, but also bellow and around the inside a bit. When relaxed it seems fine.

I've put on compression tights, which seems to be helping.

Any ideas? I am going to have to go to the doctors? Or just htfu?

get a referral from your GP and htfu in the mean time

Might have just pulled something in your leg or back when suddently jumping off your bike. I would visit your GP and avoid anything too strenuous for the next week.

I actually started riding fixed because of my knees. I was in a moped accident and ruined the rear muscles that keep the knee stable (ligament?). My docter said to fix the knee I had to ride a spinning bicycle. It has a flywheel that keeps it in motion so you can't stop pedaling. During that time, I saw this thing on the news about these bicycles called "fixies". I instantly knew the solution. It actually took a while to save money for my first wheelset. After that, I kept improving. In the beginning I was using clips to keep my feet from moving but found them very uncomfortable. They were old and made from metal and didn't provide a good platform for pushing the bike to the limits. I went over to straps but I was cured from that quite quickly. I wasn't able to get them on my shoes properly and had some space when pulling up. That is when my knees started to hurt again. I then made one of the best decisions so far: SPD shoes. I haven't had any knee problems so far. Just a torn muscle in my uper leg but that's not because of my SPD's.

Miso, get ice on that thing ASAP. keep it elevated and take anti inflammatory drugs. Do this for the first 24 hours and it will speed up the healing faster. See how it is in a few days, if its still causing you problems then get it checked out, but it just sounds like a bit of bruising, which can be very painful and worrying, but not a big deal in the end.

Now have my operation scheduled for 2 weeks time.

i would be shitting it. best of luck