Advocacy & Safety - Knee-ache... where did it come from? what to do?

Hey all, this probably doesn't fit the category, but I couldn't find one that was well suited. I've been biking quiet a bit less recently since I've been working at home and my winter rides have been a bit more painful because of it. About two weeks ago I've started experiencing pain in my left knee. It came pretty suddenly in the middle of a ride. The only precursor sign was that I'd experience some kind of light pain when I'd sit with my legs crossed for too long. Now I've done only about 2~3 rides since (usually 16km round trip, nothing fancy) and the pain keeps coming back. I ride with SPD but I haven't made any changes to the cleats since the summer and rode thousands of kilometers since. The only injury I've had other than that was an achille heel (right side) from a bad cleat position (which I've fixed long ago) coupled with too much motivation on a hilly touring day. I have lowered my seat ~1" for extra stability on icy/snowy/bumpy roads. Apart from that I've made no significant changes. I really can't see why this is happening. Especially now that I ride much less than before (I did around 5500Km over the summer). I really want it to go away, I enjoy riding far too much. You guys have any thoughts on that?

You might want to repost in the Road Cycling forum, most pain-related issuesare posted there... in fact, there's currently a knee pain thread at the top ;)

My bad, thanks for kindly pointing this out. I'll join the thread for now even though it doesn't appear to be the exact same issue.

I'm guessing the pain is at the front of the knee, just underneath or below the knee cap?

An inch is a long way to move the saddle in one go, and a too-low saddle is one (easy) way for me to get my gimpy left knee to flare up.

I work from home, too, and sitting all day with my knee crossed under me is another good way to make it hurt :)

I'd suggest trying to move around as much as possible at home (maybe even setting up a standing work station somewhere (kitchen counter?)), get out of the chair every hour at least, and put the saddle back to where it was...

If I set my saddle too low or too far back, I get knee pain. I had knee troubles like you describe last summer, and I think it is because a low or aft saddle requires more power transmission through the knee at a greater angle. I shifter to a more upright and high position and it got better. There's all sorts of other things that could be going on, but that's what I would look at.

If the lower saddle position does not fix the problem, then try raising the saddle above the original position (a cm or less at a time).

Clipless can also cause knee pain for many. Try riding without being clipped in for awhile. If the get the pain to go away, then either buy some spd cleats that give the greater float rotation or go with some speedplay pedals that have the maximum float rotation.

I think cold is bad for knees. It's winter.

Front or back side? If back side on the inner side it is a sign of a too high saddle. If you get only on one side it could mean your feet are different length. Broke your foot when you were growing up? Maybe it caused small length difference.

If I get mild knee pain a walk usually clears it right up.

HI,
It may be an old injury flaring up,from all the activity, I used to Jog alot, and when I started biking my knee's started to act up, I bought a knee strap for the left knee, it helped a lot, I believe you can loosen up your tendons a bit when you start or increase distance and my pain only occured during down time so the knee strap kept the kneecap off the tops of the leg bones when sitting, it helped me.
DOug

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I know gearing down helps me. Also, try glucosamine.

I know gearing down helps me. Also, try glucosamine.

I concur. Good suggestions all around -- spin instead of mashing, don't set the saddle too low, allow your feet ample angular float, etc. You may also want to do some reading on knee problems -- my favorite book is still the cheap little paperback, "Save Your Knees."

I get a twinge in the knees after several miles if my feet are positioned straight fore and aft on the pedals. If I angle them to my regular walking gait this isn't a problem.