Knee pain

[Flynn]

Hello all. I have a quick question. Recently I have been experiencing a lot of knee pain after riding. The pain is on the medial (inner) part of my knee and is focused into one localized point. When I push on this point it hurts like you wouldn't believe. I know.......the simple solution would be to stop pushing on this point. Unfortunately, it goes a bit deeper than that. After prolonged periods of sitting, my knee gets quite stiff and it is painful to straighten it. I also have encountered some pain/stiffness behind my knee. I do not feel as though I have lost strength in my knee. I am also still able to run/bike with this ailment. I have heard so many different things from a tight IT band, to poor saddle position, to poor cleat position. Has anyone else experienced this type of pain? Does anyone have any advice on how to alleviate this problem? Thanks in advance for your responses.

[wagathon]

The IT band causes pain on the outside of the knee, no?

[F1_Fan]

1) See a cycling coach or other qualified person and have your bike position (especially cleat alignment) checked

2) See a sports doctor (usually requires a referral from your GP) that knows cycling.

I did both when I had back problems. Unfortunately I'd already pissed away a whole season with self-diagnosis and internet solutions. The coach made some big positional changes and the sports doctor looked at the CT scans and suggested more changes to my bike. Three months after herniating a disc I was back on the bike, seven months later I'm riding 7+ hours a week.

[cycleprincess]

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I take Glucosamine Chondroitin (brand name Osteo Bi-Flex) but there are lots of brands out there. My chiropractor suggested I start taking it because my knees crackle. They sound BAD. Anyway...it seems to help, not so much the grinding sounds but the pain has seemed to lessen. This stuff is supposed to rebuild the cartilage (which we loose over time) and lubricate the joints. So...I think it works.

I'm also inclined to think saddle position (fore and aft) might have something to do with it.

[lapbander]

Pedal extenders (knee savers) might help.