AdvXtrm

I know others have reported this as well, but it really amazes me how during the time I've had my bike apart and other things keeping from riding for a few weeks, my knees were only getting worse and worse. The pain was so miserable it was really wearing me down.

Last night I was able to get the bike back together enough to take it out for some test rides for checks and adjustments needed for my new handlebar setup. What I've done is install a stem-riser, new stem, and new bar and grips in order to achieve a more comfortable ergonomic arrangement for my busted and beaten up old body.

As I was out riding I felt pretty good. I had to favor my left knee more than I would have liked, forcing my "somewhat" better right knee to pick up the slack, but it worked. I basically had to power-stroke with my right leg and my left acted as a bit of a helper.

So after these test rides I immediately noticed a vast improvement in both knees; far less pain and discomfort, and better mobility!

Who else has experienced this or something similar?

CliffordK

I can't say I've had similar immediate changes, but I do believe that my knees have overall improved over the last couple of years of significantly increased riding (as well as a weight drop from about 190+ down to about 170+

I do mash and at times pull up, and believe doing so only strengthens the knees, at least in my case.

I've gone from a fair amount of pain walking around and up and down the driveway to most of the time pain-free.

AdvXtrm

That's great CliffordK! I've got to make sure that I'm being consistent in my riding, I now know without a doubt that it's key to my health in many ways.

bulldog1935

years ago, I used to take motrin before riding and usually at halfway for knee pain.
Increasing miles and riding more athletically has eliminated knee pain for me at any distance.

AdvXtrm

The only drug that's ever really been helpful to me is Motrin (ibuprofen), but my digestive system simply cannot tolerate it, so it's not a viable option. I'm glad that I've found bicycling and icing my knees as needed are doing so much to help.

1989Pre 

How far up would you say that stem riser attachment rose your stem/bars? and how many degrees of angle (upward, I assume) is your stem? Do you feel that this arrangement has transferred some of the work form the muscles in the front of your leg (knee muscles are there) to the rear of the leg?
I blew my right knee up from running sprints a couple years ago, but it's been minding its manners when I ride.

AdvXtrm

I'll get some measurements and share them along with some pics soon. I haven't gotten to ride it more than about block so far, because I've only done a few short little test rides while adjusting the bar height and angle until it felt right. I'll report back soon.

FBOATSB

For me, cycling is the only time my knees don't hurt.

JerrySTL

About 30 years ago I took up running and slacked off on my cycling. About 5 years later I needed my left knee 'scoped as I tore cartilage while on a run.

One day before the surgery, I got on my bike and noticed that I could ride without pain as long as I kept my rump on the saddle and the rpm's up. After the surgery I noticed that my knee felt better the more I rode and started hurting again when I didn't ride much. So riding is my primary aerobic activity.

However I'm walking a half marathon tomorrow with my wife. Walking doesn't bother my knee very much.

CliffordK

Truthfully, I do get some aches and pains, even while riding. But generally manageable. But, as I said, walking pain seems to be slowly improving.

I think some of the aches may be tendon aches rather than joint aches. So, I believe strengthening helps.

I can't say if everyone would react the same.

My father got bilateral knee replacement by his mid 50's, I think, and at that time had very poor knee flexibility.

I've got good knee flexibility, and any pain is under control. Actually I like 180 cranks for full range of motion.

There was a recent BBC-One mini-series "The Doctor who gave up drugs". I've been meaning to try to watch it. But, I've wondered for some time if our pain management actually caused as many problems as it helped.

1. Masking pain could possibly lead to more injury.
2. Anti-inflammatories may reduce healing (there are some studies about anti-inflammatories and tendon problems).
3. Rebound withdrawals may happen with many drugs, even the more benign ones. So, one gets addicted to the pain killers.

Of course, rheumatoid arthritis is different from other aches and pains and does require more vigorous treatment.

Some conditions may benefit from surgery, but I'm also afraid of the idea of going in and repeatedly digging out cartilage until there is nothing left. I used to have some catching... I'm not quite sure, but get the knee positioned wrong, and it would just drop me to the ground with pain, and often take quite some time to extend and walk off. But, over the years that has gotten much more mild, or essentially gone away without treatment. I was just careful to not bend the knee wrong.

AdvXtrm

Walking is an issue for me, and stepping on uneven ground, causing any side, fore, or aft stress on my knees messes them up. I also can't do stairs at all, even one sizable step can bring on problems, but again, on the other hand, riding my bike, when done correctly, actually makes my knees feel better, and definitely makes them "stronger" and "more stable" overall. The less I ride, the more trouble I have with my knees, the more I ride, the less trouble I have. This has been quite a revelation to say the very least. I hope others will see what's being said here and give it a go for themselves. It can really be a positive life-changer.

FenderTL5

Count me in.
In 2011-12 I had begun eating arthritis pills every evening because of the constant pain in my knees.

I started bicycle commuting, slowly at first only to a transit Park-n-Ride, later a 15 mile one-way trip.
My knees are in pretty good condition now. I haven't even taken an aspirin for anything but an accasional sinus headache in a couple of years.

johnu

My Doc said after "scoping" both, that knees that they love pedaling and swimming. I can tell when I'm needing to pickup the riding.

AdvXtrm

Great to hear! For me, I'm spending more time building up my bike than riding it right now, so that's not good, but I'm near finished with it, and it will be massive riding from there on out!

MattyLad

I came off my bike at the weekend just gone (1st October) and I hit the tarmac with a bang, the bike seemed to lose it on a corner and disappear from under me. Hands are a bit cut up, but now on the mend and fine, but the knee swelled up to the size of an orange and while I rode home from the incident, since being home things have stiffened up. I was able to hobble about and that was about it, getting into bed was hard work but once there I could straighten it out and I slept well. Now, five days on, I'm more mobile, the swelling is still there, but things seem to be alright (ish). I'm taking Nurofen, but only one a day and that seems to do the trick. I reckon cycling will help so I must get back on the bike. Nothing's broken so I'm assuming it'll just get better with time. Am I right?

CliffordK

If nothing's broken, it should get better with time. Did you have a doctor evaluate it? X-Rays?

Let pain be your guide. Ride if it isn't painful. Some movement and pumping of fluids should be good.

However, if riding is painful, or you get more swelling, then give it a rest.

AdvXtrm

Sorry to hear of your crash. That's a huge fear of mine, especially since I'm so busted up and vulnerable to injuries, but I can't afford to let that fear stop me.

I use ice-wraps that have velcro closures around my knees about 4 times per day, for about 15 mins. each session. I bought a few sets so that I always have cold ones at the ready. I also used a thick neoprene sleeve for a while, then graduated to a thinner "copper" sleeve.

I avoid steps, stairs, and any pivoting that will twist the knees. Once my knees were a bit better a started bicycling, using low gearing with a higher cadence to keep undue pressure off of my knees. This is what has worked for me. Getting the swelling down and keeping it down is key to recovery and preventing even more damage from occurring.

Side note, I managed to tweak my knee pretty bad tonight just taking a wrong step and turning a bit. I Iced it real good and I'm going to rest it for a bit.

MattyLad

When you say you're 'so busted up and vulnerable to injuries', why? What happened? My knee's getting better by the day, but it's not there yet. I'm taking a Nurofen, just one, daily. Might not take one tonight and it's only five days since the crash.

Coming off ain't good though.

AdvXtrm

About 4 months ago I was hit and "run over" in a very serious near fatal collision while out on my motorcycle. Needless to say my body was literally crushed. I suffered over half a dozen broken bones, including many broken ribs as my chest cavity was crushed, and the broken ribs were pushed through my lungs, puncturing and collapsing them. Of course I suffered head-trauma as well. One of my legs was broken, and the ligaments of both knees were stretched and torn. I kind of feel like a walking miracle at this point.