Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - A trip to the sports doctor

(Tl;dr, go to bold sentence.)

I visited the sports doctor today because I've had knee pain when I sit for long periods of time (e.g. class). I've been riding single speed for about a year, and fixed for about two weeks (and commuting for the last two years). But I figured my knee pain had less to do with that and more to do with my frequent exercise at the gym, especially squats/lunges/jump squats.

Anyway, I have runner's knee (patellofemoral pain), easily treated and likely fixed by daily stretches. Doc said it happens in men when their hamstrings are tight, and to women when their quads are weak.

Here's the part to care about. I told her that I'm riding fixed. She knew what that means; she rides bikes too. I asked if it was detrimental to knees and her answer makes sense. Riding fixed is just as likely to cause knee pain as riding any bike habitually for years. She confirmed locking your knees to skid isn't helpful (which I seldom enjoy/do anyway).

Overall, yes knee locking is more likely to hurt ya. No, riding fixed does not necessarily equate to worse knee pain than a roadie or MTB rider might develop.

Granted, this one doctor's opinion. Nevertheless, it's a sound, educated opinion.

(Tl;dr, go to bold sentence.)

I visited the sports doctor today because I've had knee pain when I sit for long periods of time (e.g. class). I've been riding single speed for about a year, and fixed for about two weeks (and commuting for the last two years). But I figured my knee pain had less to do with that and more to do with my frequent exercise at the gym, especially squats/lunges/jump squats.

Anyway, I have runner's knee (patellofemoral pain), easily treated and likely fixed by daily stretches. Doc said it happens in men when their hamstrings are tight, and to women when their quads are weak.

Here's the part to care about. I told her that I'm riding fixed. She knew what that means; she rides bikes too. I asked if it was detrimental to knees and her answer makes sense. Riding fixed is just as likely to cause knee pain as riding any bike habitually for years. She confirmed locking your knees to skid isn't helpful (which I seldom enjoy/do anyway).

Overall, yes knee locking is more likely to hurt ya. No, riding fixed does not necessarily equate to worse knee pain than a roadie or MTB rider might develop.

Granted, this one doctor's opinion. Nevertheless, it's a sound, educated opinion.

thank you been trying to id my knee pain...

Make sure your fit is right.

thank you been trying to id my knee pain...

You're welcome? Or in the case of sarcasm: ha!

And yeah, my fit is correct. LBS fellas confirmed and it definitely feels comfortable. Like I said, my pain -- which is more like discomfort -- seldom occurs while I'm in motion. Doing lunges, squats, jump squats and riding feel great. It's when I'm siting that I get discomfort.

Doc even recommended raising the seat higher so that my knee is almost straight. She said I can't get down and get aerodynamic. Also, no distance rides; nothing above double digit miles...:(

But I already did my stretches today. All is well.

You're welcome? Or in the case of sarcasm: ha!

And yeah, my fit is correct. LBS fellas confirmed and it definitely feels comfortable. Like I said, my pain -- which is more like discomfort -- seldom occurs while I'm in motion. Doing lunges, squats, jump squats and riding feel great. It's when I'm siting that I get discomfort.

Doc even recommended raising the seat higher so that my knee is almost straight. She said I can't get down and get aerodynamic. Also, no distance rides; nothing above double digit miles...:(

But I already did my stretches today. All is well.

No, really thank you... now that I know what is causing it I know how to fix it... I went on a tour over the summer, met vix up in BC actually, and on my way back down to the states ****ed my knee bad... I was in tears by the time I made it to my friends house in Bellingham, WA. It was my own fault though, had spent more time tuning my girlfriends touring bike and forgot to set the fit on mine, which i hadnt ridden in like 2 years... My knee has been a bit tender since. So I'm really happy to know whats up with it!!

I'm not a doctor or saying that you need the same treatment, but here's what I'm doing.
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/LIF/LIF156/exercise-hamstring-stretch_%7EMM220002.jpg
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/LIF/LIF156/exercise-hamstring-stretch_%7EMM220002.jpghttp://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/jenny/hamstring_stretch_partner.jpg
I do 10 sets for 10 seconds on each leg twice a day (so 20 on each leg). Every day.

http://www.health.com/health/static/hw/media/medical/hw/h9991139.jpg
20-30 of these on each leg. Hold for two seconds, slowly lower to the ground. Also twice a day. Every day.

First day took more will power than I imagined, but I'm already feeling a difference. And I'm thankful it's just runner's knee.

I went on a tour over the summer, met vix up in BC actually
That was fun, I'd be down for more tea and riding when you're coming up again. :D

I had a runner's knee, too. Very common indeed. got it while training for a Marathon, which I ended up not running due to that...
Doctor recommended the same to me.
Daily stretching and leg side raises fixed it for me in about 2 months.
I took ibuprofen during the first week to be able to walk stairs up and down etc. anything anti-inflammatory should do.
I commute 30km per day to work on a fixed bike and never had that problem again. I also rarely skid.

Right on. My discomfort isn't so bad that I need an anti-inflammatory, but the doc did say it's OK if I need/want it. Glad you recovered. I look forward to the day when these stretches are easy!

I'm not a doctor or saying that you need the same treatment, but here's what I'm doing.
And I'm thankful it's just runner's knee.

thank you so much for posting you RX! Im sure its what i have too, and since my fixed is super dialed in it seldom acts up...


That was fun, I'd be down for more tea and riding when you're coming up again. :D

That would be great! I want to go up again so bad!

No problem, bleedingapple. Even for people without runner's knee, these are great stretches. Two days in and I can tell these won't just stretch out my quads, but they'll strengthen them too. That's a major plus since I received doctor's orders not to do squats, jump squats and lunges.

I already miss those.:(