knee pain - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

03-08-2005, 12:57 PM

Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point
where I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for
this, both of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my
MB on some rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a
burley, which requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's
hilly in CO, but we do try to keep the cadence up)

I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be
well. We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and
things are better but not back to normal.

Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.

Rich

03-08-2005, 01:19 PM

Depends on the type of pain, I suppose. I had a bad incident on a sled
about 10 years ago, damaging my ligament, and I STILL get occasional
barks from it. For me stretching helps, as does not putting too much
pressure on it.

I'd attribute it to the tandem, which seems to be a different movement
and stress than what you're used to, but you may want to check with
your doctor.

-Bill H.

03-08-2005, 08:09 PM

"Rich" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point where
> I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for this, both
> of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my MB on some
> rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a burley, which
> requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's hilly in CO, but we
> do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be well.
> We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and things are
> better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
> contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.
>
> Rich

NOT an expert...but:

Standard "fit" issues you probably know: knee pain in front --> seat is too
low. Knee pain in back --> seat is too high.

Also: How well do your shoes fit? Shoes that don't fit well around the
ankle or across the arch can allow too much side-to-side flexion of the
lower leg, which can really wear on your knees over time.

Just my .02$ worth.

03-08-2005, 08:17 PM

> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point where
> I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for this, both
> of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my MB on some
> rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a burley, which
> requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's hilly in CO, but we
> do try to keep the cadence up)

Rich: As I've mentioned previously, knee pains can sometimes be made to
disappear simply by moving the cleats further back on the shoe. This reduces
leverage on tendons & ligaments, and is certainly worth a try because it
takes little effort to change and costs nothing. Don't worry about anything
having "caused" the problem; sometimes it's just our bodies changing a bit
as we get older. That's what happened to me about 18 years ago. Thought I
was going to have to give up riding it was so bad, and happened pretty much
without warning. Sat down in the middle of the (long and hilly) ride,
thought about it for a bit, and, for some reason, it came to me to try
moving my Look cleats back and see if it would make a difference. It was
remarkable; within 5 miles the pain was almost entirely gone.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Rich" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point where
> I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for this, both
> of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my MB on some
> rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a burley, which
> requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's hilly in CO, but we
> do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be well.
> We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and things are
> better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
> contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.
>
> Rich

03-08-2005, 08:28 PM

"Rich" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point
> where I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for
> this, both of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my
> MB on some rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a
> burley, which requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's
> hilly in CO, but we do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be
> well. We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and
> things are better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
> contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.
>
> Rich

An obvious suggestion, perhaps. But if made a big difference for me. If you
are using cleats with no float, go to ones with float.

And you might get better suggestions if you provide lots of details. What
you are using now. Exactly where the pain is and where it hurts. When it
hurts. Etc.

03-08-2005, 08:41 PM

"Rich" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point where
> I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for this, both
> of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my MB on some
> rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a burley, which
> requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's hilly in CO, but we
> do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be well.
> We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and things are
> better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
> contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.

I came down with some extremely sharp pain in my right knee during a ride.
I actually ride the last 8 miles with my right foot unclipped (not fun). I
waited a few days and tried to ride again. The pain returned.

I went to an Orth Surg, and he diagnosed Patella Compression Syndrome. Gave
me some exercises to help realign everything. After two weeks of doing them
the pain went away and has yet to return.

YMMV, HTH

03-09-2005, 07:50 AM

Rich wrote:
> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point
> where I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for
> this, both of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed
my
> MB on some rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a

> burley, which requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's
> hilly in CO, but we do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be
> well. We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and
> things are better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing
to
> contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.

The most important factor I've found is toe-in angle of the cleats. A
fairly small change can make a big difference. I need to set my cleats
so that I toe in, if I don't I'll get sore knees after several miles.
The soreness comes on rather suddenly and without warning. With proper
toe-in angle, I never get sore knees, even on hilly rides of over 100
miles.

03-10-2005, 08:43 AM

"Bestest Handsander" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> "Rich" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point
where
> > I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for this,
both
> > of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed my MB on some
> > rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling a burley, which
> > requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's hilly in CO, but
we
> > do try to keep the cadence up)
> >
> > I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be
well.
> > We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and things are
> > better but not back to normal.
> >
> > Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing to
> > contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.
>
> I came down with some extremely sharp pain in my right knee during a ride.
> I actually ride the last 8 miles with my right foot unclipped (not fun).
I
> waited a few days and tried to ride again. The pain returned.
>
> I went to an Orth Surg, and he diagnosed Patella Compression Syndrome.
Gave
> me some exercises to help realign everything. After two weeks of doing
them
> the pain went away and has yet to return.
>
> YMMV, HTH
>
>
i have the same problem as the handsander. it's a patellar tracking issue
and i think the posts here about making sure your cleats are properly
aligned and you have enough float will help with that sort of issue...and a
little PT never hurts.

03-10-2005, 10:07 AM

Rich <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:

> Last fall my knees started hurting while I was riding, to the point
> where I coudn't pedal anymore. There were two possible reasons for
> this, both of which occured at about the same time.. #1) I crashed
> my MB on some rocks. #2) I started riding a tandem, typically pulling
> a burley, which requires pushing much harder then I normally did (it's
> hilly in CO, but we do try to keep the cadence up)
>
> I figured after the winter, and some time off the bike, all would be
> well. We've done a few short rides this year (15 miles or so) and
> things are better but not back to normal.
>
> Anyone else had knee problems or have any ideas what I could be doing
> to contribute to the issue and/or keep them from getting better.
>
> Rich

I am not a doctor. You should probably see one.

However, there is much information available on the net if you just have
the right search term. Look for "patella femoral pain". If this is, in
fact, your problem, there are strategies and exercises (which you should
be able to find with that search) that can help.

I control mine by focusing on "spin" (high rpm, low stress) biking.

Chas Douglass