Why does my knee hurt?
Discussion
Evening
Been increasing mileage of late - last few months I've been doing regular 30 mile rides, once a week.
Same or similar route each time. I have good base fitness from running 30 miles per week, so exercise is not a new concept.
Averaging around 17mph.
Last couple of weeks I've had knee pain - inside of the knee to the left of the kneecap. Sharp pain, not a dull pain.
Pain is only when I'm putting load on it - i.e grinding up a hill or when I'm up out of the saddle.
Regular spinning on the flat/slight incline = fine
Downhill = fine
Walking/running/ going up or down stairs = fine
Any load on the 'inner' quad muscle - yowsers
Last weekend I had a fitting session on the bike - adjusted saddle fore, aft and up/down. Felt more comfortable on the road but still pain towards end of (long) ride.
Any ideas?
It seems to be something technique-related so can anyone suggest a seating position adjustment or suggest something form-related that might cause this?
TIA
Been increasing mileage of late - last few months I've been doing regular 30 mile rides, once a week.
Same or similar route each time. I have good base fitness from running 30 miles per week, so exercise is not a new concept.
Averaging around 17mph.
Last couple of weeks I've had knee pain - inside of the knee to the left of the kneecap. Sharp pain, not a dull pain.
Pain is only when I'm putting load on it - i.e grinding up a hill or when I'm up out of the saddle.
Regular spinning on the flat/slight incline = fine
Downhill = fine
Walking/running/ going up or down stairs = fine
Any load on the 'inner' quad muscle - yowsers
Last weekend I had a fitting session on the bike - adjusted saddle fore, aft and up/down. Felt more comfortable on the road but still pain towards end of (long) ride.
Any ideas?
It seems to be something technique-related so can anyone suggest a seating position adjustment or suggest something form-related that might cause this?
TIA
Pain in the muscle which attaches to the top of the kneecap, above and on the inside of it, or on the inside of the knee itself?
I ask because I've been suffering from the first one, especially when I've been doing a lot of seated spinning and then try and get out of the saddle to sprint. I think it's a muscular imbalance compounded by a tight ITB. Can be solved by more training out of the saddle and some foam roller work.
If the second one then I've no idea, sorry
I ask because I've been suffering from the first one, especially when I've been doing a lot of seated spinning and then try and get out of the saddle to sprint. I think it's a muscular imbalance compounded by a tight ITB. Can be solved by more training out of the saddle and some foam roller work.
If the second one then I've no idea, sorry
Usget said:
Pain in the muscle which attaches to the top of the kneecap, above and on the inside of it, or on the inside of the knee itself?
I ask because I've been suffering from the first one, especially when I've been doing a lot of seated spinning and then try and get out of the saddle to sprint. I think it's a muscular imbalance compounded by a tight ITB. Can be solved by more training out of the saddle and some foam roller work.
If the second one then I've no idea, sorry
Front of the knee, above and on the inside of it, just to (my) left of kneecap.I ask because I've been suffering from the first one, especially when I've been doing a lot of seated spinning and then try and get out of the saddle to sprint. I think it's a muscular imbalance compounded by a tight ITB. Can be solved by more training out of the saddle and some foam roller work.
If the second one then I've no idea, sorry
Sounds similar. Seated spinning is fine but getting out of the saddle hurts
TwistingMyMelon said:
Heard of a foam roller? Could be tIgbo muscles causing issues
I'd book a session with a physio to rule out all basic issues
I foam-roll every day but hard to know where to attack this as all pain is in the knee.I'd book a session with a physio to rule out all basic issues
Physio thought it was an iffy rotational thing. Kinda dismissed it (I've been going regularly for another, non-related problem)
You say inner and left of kneecap so I assume right leg?
Have you checked your cleats? Are you feet the same size? Are your legs the same length? It's not unusual for out of seat efforts to put significantly more force through the knee.
Depending on how old you are, and your running history there are all sorts of things which could have degraded inside the knee. I suppose a MRI may be the only thing to consider if the Physio cannot sort it out.
I have a left knee with a grade two ACL tear, full rupture of MPFl and significant cartilage missing 2/3 from u/s of patella, they did repair the miniscus.
All that to one side 300-400w efforts out of the saddle up steep ramps cause no pain, so it's something you want to get sorted, obviously the huge number or repetitions of knee movement cycling could be doing significant further damage to the structure of the knee assuming it isn't muscular.
Could it be ITB fatigue causing misalignment? And patella tracking issues?
I can recommend a good surgeon in London/Hampshire and I know Gruffy has used the top surgeon for knees in London (on the NHS).
Have you checked your cleats? Are you feet the same size? Are your legs the same length? It's not unusual for out of seat efforts to put significantly more force through the knee.
Depending on how old you are, and your running history there are all sorts of things which could have degraded inside the knee. I suppose a MRI may be the only thing to consider if the Physio cannot sort it out.
I have a left knee with a grade two ACL tear, full rupture of MPFl and significant cartilage missing 2/3 from u/s of patella, they did repair the miniscus.
All that to one side 300-400w efforts out of the saddle up steep ramps cause no pain, so it's something you want to get sorted, obviously the huge number or repetitions of knee movement cycling could be doing significant further damage to the structure of the knee assuming it isn't muscular.
Could it be ITB fatigue causing misalignment? And patella tracking issues?
I can recommend a good surgeon in London/Hampshire and I know Gruffy has used the top surgeon for knees in London (on the NHS).
Simple thing to try:
Assuming you're using cleats, you can pretty much assume that the pain is from riding in a position which causes friction on the area which is paimful. Inner or outer knee pain is usually caused by cleat position forcing the leg into a slightly angled position. So, if the pain is on the inside of the knee the foot is a little too far out causing a slight angle in the leg causing friction on the inside of the knee.
Try moving the cleat to the outside of your shoe a little to bring the foot in closer to the bike and therefore straighten the leg.
I'll stress that this is non mediical. If you have a medical issue with your knee you'll need more specialist advice and care.
Assuming you're using cleats, you can pretty much assume that the pain is from riding in a position which causes friction on the area which is paimful. Inner or outer knee pain is usually caused by cleat position forcing the leg into a slightly angled position. So, if the pain is on the inside of the knee the foot is a little too far out causing a slight angle in the leg causing friction on the inside of the knee.
Try moving the cleat to the outside of your shoe a little to bring the foot in closer to the bike and therefore straighten the leg.
I'll stress that this is non mediical. If you have a medical issue with your knee you'll need more specialist advice and care.
I remember seeing this a few years ago, this is the latest version.
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/cycling-knee-...
This visual on here is useful.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/take-care-of...
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/cycling-knee-...
This visual on here is useful.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/take-care-of...
Muzzer79 said:
Physio thought it was an iffy rotational thing. Kinda dismissed it (I've been going regularly for another, non-related problem)
Why did you dismiss the physio's diagnosis?If I was in your cleats, I mean shoes, I'd either go with the physio's advice or get a second opinion from another physio. There are so many variables with knees that I'd want a diagnosis from a professional.
Also, some physios do bike fittings. I know you've had a bike fit, but you might find a physio with a lot of cycling experience or who has an eye for things like cleat positioning.
I’ve had knee issues of late, in the same place. And physio said it was a combo of a weak VMO and tight ITB/inactive glute wasn’t helping. The general consensus seems to be that they say the glute thing to just about any problem. But the VMO made sense. I’ve been building it up again slowly, and its still not without issue 5 weeks after the event that set it off. I have noticed that it doesn’t track as well as the right leg, but its very difficult to actually say why, cleat has been moved inwards so there is little q angle but it just seems to want to dive inwards on the downstroke vs the right which is straight up and down.
okgo said:
I’ve had knee issues of late, in the same place. And physio said it was a combo of a weak VMO and tight ITB/inactive glute wasn’t helping. The general consensus seems to be that they say the glute thing to just about any problem. But the VMO made sense. I’ve been building it up again slowly, and its still not without issue 5 weeks after the event that set it off. I have noticed that it doesn’t track as well as the right leg, but its very difficult to actually say why, cleat has been moved inwards so there is little q angle but it just seems to want to dive inwards on the downstroke vs the right which is straight up and down.
Sounds similiar to meMy vmo ended up as a streak of piss, for years I ran my saddle too low with too much setback,
Only thing that has built my VMO is running the saddle higher and pushed further forward, it looks so much bigger than a year ago and much much stronger.
Ironically as soon as I run my saddle a mm too high my ITB kicks in and has a wobbly, too low and my VMO doesn't work hard enough
SVS said:
Muzzer79 said:
Physio thought it was an iffy rotational thing. Kinda dismissed it (I've been going regularly for another, non-related problem)
Why did you dismiss the physio's diagnosis?If I was in your cleats, I mean shoes, I'd either go with the physio's advice or get a second opinion from another physio. There are so many variables with knees that I'd want a diagnosis from a professional.
Also, some physios do bike fittings. I know you've had a bike fit, but you might find a physio with a lot of cycling experience or who has an eye for things like cleat positioning.
okgo said:
I’ve had knee issues of late, in the same place. And physio said it was a combo of a weak VMO and tight ITB/inactive glute wasn’t helping. The general consensus seems to be that they say the glute thing to just about any problem. But the VMO made sense. I’ve been building it up again slowly, and its still not without issue 5 weeks after the event that set it off. I have noticed that it doesn’t track as well as the right leg, but its very difficult to actually say why, cleat has been moved inwards so there is little q angle but it just seems to want to dive inwards on the downstroke vs the right which is straight up and down.
What have you done to build the VMO up? Sounds like what I need to do, too.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff