Road Cycling - Injury recovery.

I've had a nagging injury for the last 2 weeks. It happened on a sunday group ride when I decided to chase one of the group up a hill. Something got pulled behined my knee on the back of my leg. It doesn't hurt as such - no sharp pain like when you pull a muscle in you back and "catch" it standing up or something like that - and it definitely isn't my hamstring. After a ride it stiffens up to hell and back and takes a good while to warm up before I can walk normally the next day. I know that rest is the best cure for this, but that's tough. It doesn't stop me from riding but I feel it for the next few days after a ride or even a trainer session. I don't want to really do any damage by pushing it, but I'm loathe to give up my riding as I have a century planned in just under 2 weeks time. Is there anything that can help with this other than looking at the bike but not getting on it?

Go to the dr, you might have damaged a tendon. Any injury around the knee is not something to take lightly. Im a knee damage/surgery recovery advocate :)

I busted my knee and femur up bad 2~ years ago and let me tell you, things can go down hill fast with your knee if your not carefull. See your dr.

Awww crap! I was thinking to taking a trip to the quack but was trying to find a reason not to. :(

maybe some of these discussions will help. changing pedals worked for my knee pain:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=49065

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=48542

I can agree with the pedals being the cause of the initial injury. However damage has been done and it would be best to get a medical opinion before you continue to ride on it and cause any further injury.

Btw, those Speedplay Frogs do look nice i may have to take a look at getting a pair of those. Their website even says "Knee Friendly".

I wondered about the pedals too, but I've never had this before and it isn't the actual knee. I've been riding the same pedals for a few years. Anyway, I think caution is the better part of valor and so will call the doctor.

I'd definitely call the doctor- it sounds as though the tendons at the back of the knee may have been overstretched or damaged, and it would do you well to find out how much so you can take some measures to get to healing yourself! In the meantime, it may do you good to either quit riding, or cut back the intensity and amount of riding in case you end up doing more damage over the short term before you can get in with a doctor.

Koffee