Road Cycling - The knees / knee problems (sorry.. long)

Would you say road cycling is good or bad for the knees?

I've had bad knees since I was 12 or so (I'm 17 now). They're generally really weak... the bone sometimes 'pops' against each other when I straighten a leg out... sometimes I have to stretch out my leg suddenly cause it feels like a knee is really tightening up... etc

Its gotten better than it used to be. It wasn't much of a problem until the last month or so. I guess it was from riding. I was riding too steep hills with too high gears. My knees started to get really bad again to the point where I didn't want to ride.

Of course, being addicted, I kept riding. About every time I would go out though, I would get frusturated and wished I stayed in. Now its a little better. I've been doing shorter rides... but most importantly I've been staying on mostly flat roads and have been focusing on keeping high cadence rather than good speed. I'm careful not to push my legs hard as it feels it would do more bad than good (although because of this, I am not even getting much of an aerobic workout.).

Atleast now, when I'm sitting, for example, I can stretch my leg straight out. I honestly could not to this before!


BTW, I don't have pedal clips or anything. No attachment to the pedals. I'm guessing it might be better for my legs to have pedal clips or whatever?

BTW I do do some leg exercises sometimes. Not many though. Just some minor ones that are said to be good for the knees.

Has anyone else went through these types of knee problems?
Is riding the best way to rehabilitate the knees? Or should I focus on doing other exercise first before I ride seriously?
Any recommendations on what to do about this?

These knee problems have really been holding me back from enjoying a ride. Like I said, its getting better, but I don't know what is the best thing to do about it.

Have you ever gone to a doctor to have it checked? Sounds like maybe you need it scoped. You need your knees for a long time. Id get them looked at if they are that bad.

You need to see a doc

Overall, biking is the best activity for knee problems of all types unless your riding position is poor or your seat position is not adjusted right and you might aggravate certain types of knee problems or cause ileotibial band sydrome and aggravation of suprapattelar knee problems....I have the latter and biking has helped tremendously unless i get a new bike and it is not fitted perfectly. http://www.clinicalsportsmedicine.com/chapters/24a.htm But please, please see your physician, preferably someone who deals with athletes, it doesn't necssarily need to be an orthopedist but he/she may refer you to one.

I remember seeing a doctor about it 5 years back or so. They didn't really say much
But I was thinking of having an appointment about it. I was just reluctant now since its feeling a bit better.
cbhungry, like you said, I think a big reason for my knee problems was my riding position. I think my seat was WAY too low. I have it adjusted much better now.

I just got back from a (very short) ride actually, and I don't feel that bad. The first half of the ride was pretty bad, but after a while, my legs felt much more stable/smooth.

My two big problems are my knees and lower back. They found some sort of developing problem with the two lowest discs of my back when I got an MRI a year ago, I believe. I don't know if it has anything to do with it but I do get quite a bit of soreness in the lower back when I'm riding (some days its not a problem but some days its a big problem). I think part of the reason for having problems with it is lack of good form and riding position before. Its getting a little better now.

I'll probably make an appointment for it.
Thanks for the replies

I took up cycling as cross training for running in my mid 30's. In fact, it seemed to strengthen my knees, due to the fact that running builds up the outside more so than the inside. So you have a muscular imbalance unless you do some kind of quad exercises.

Patellafemoral syndrome is common in runners, which a lot of Drs in the past attributed to chrondomalacia. Simply put the knee is not tracking correctly since the muscle is weak on the inside.

So for me, cycling seems to be a good combination. I just cannot find the time to do as much cycling as I would like. Running is my priority, and specificity of training requires more running. Although I find it satisfying while cycling, and I can really get my HR up climbing steep hills.

I know that a lot of people who undergo a scope, usually do some kind of cycling for rehab.

I agree you should ask your doctor in person to be on the safe side.

Hie thee to yer doctor and request a physical therapy evaluation.

bycycling has helped my knees immensely. And I am really noticing a difference from going to platform pedals to clipless pedals. The backs of my legs are getting much stronger. My knees had been feeling like they were really loose and were going to pop out backwards, especially when they were tired. This feeling has gone away. I recently was re-evaluated at the phys therapists and one knee (one I had injured reffing soccer) was re-x-rayed--the first x-ray was done about 4 years ago. The current reading said that essentially my knee had NOT changed in the time between-- the arthritis had not gotten worse.
I attribute this to exercise to stabilise the knee joint and taking glucosamine + chondroitin + msm to help bolster my joint cartilage.

See a doctor about the back too and remember your really HAVE to stretch--maybe you can get away with not, or little stretching when you are young, but as you get older you will feel much better stretching, especially as part of your cool down after a ride.

Is most stretching preferred before or after the ride?

I never really do after the ride, but I usually spend a few minutes stretching out before the ride.

My legs in general feel much stronger. Like I said I've had really weak knees but my legs in general as well. But in the last few months there literally is a very obvious difference in the physical appearance of my legs, even. Its amazing how much you can see the body transform over just a few months!

After a motorcycle ran me down in '83 and trashed my right knee, my Doc had me riding a stationary bike. It was great for getting mobility back into the joints and working the muscles without stressing out the knee. I am riding again and find some days I have some pain, but rarely.
I would suggest seeing an Orthopedic Surgen and get an eval. Technique and technology have changed so much... They do some amazing things. And the last thing you want it for your knees to fail you all together and end up in a wheel chair or prostetics... Besides you're bike would be awfull lonely.

Good luck.