Knee pain

[bacchus180]

I'm starting to get a few problems with my knees. I have gone from the sofa to pedalling between 180-220k a week, After I have say climbed 800m or so I get a aching pain in my knees, It feels like its muscular and behind the kneecap and rises to the tendons above the kneecap,

I have read a variety of articles on getting fitted for your bike, Mine was made to measure by Condor about 10 years ago, I'm 47 so I haven't grown, Some articles have talked about cleat position and technique. Saddle height etc..

I have tried altering all of the above.

Is it just being stupid and going at it from a long period of being sedentary and my knees and legs just need to bed themselves in and get stronger?.. or is there something more fundamental going on?..

Does anyone suffer the same and will it go away and subside?

[Jimbo.]

Similar knee problem to me. Forget reading up on fit this, fit that. See a physio: they'll -probably- diagnose a muscle imbalance in the quads, which pulls the kneecap off track when bending the leg. Cycling is st for this. Poor body maintenance (stretching!) is also to blame. Most people get it wrong. The sudden jump from sofa to saddle is also a trigger.

Edit: messing about with saddle position, bare, cleats etc. in one chaotic go will only make things worse

Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 11th July 14:41

[Yell_M3]

chondromalacia patellae? If so welcome to my world, and it ain't going away ... get to a physio, you can do excercises to help.

[bacchus180]

hmm.. sounds like I need to see a physio.. thanks

[trophies]

I bought a new bike and increased my mileage. Knee pain started and got worse until I could only ride 5 miles. I went to see a physio, she recommended a bike fit. I had the bike fit, the next day I cycled 30 miles pain free......

What I would say is the lady that fitted my bike is also a physio! She understand how the body works and what works for individuals. If your going to have a bike fit, it needs to be by a pro.

[TSCfree]

Start with the self help stuff and things you can do for free. I visited a recommended local sports physio at £30 a session and learn't the hard way! Stretching, stretching and then some more. Make it part of your daily routine. Most of my knee pain came from tight muscles, ITB etc. Buy a foam roller, the best £5 I've ever spent. Gets used after every hard training session, hills reps, sprints etc. Then sort your bike fit out and go from there.

[Jimbo.]

Regular massage also helps, although yer' bloody eyes will water - and then some - when they hit the first big tight spot!