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Close to giving up cycling

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Close to giving up cycling

Old 09-25-13, 08:26 PM
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So I don't know if this will get any responses, but I have basically given up on bike riding. I went to the podiatrist for new insoles for the flat feet. He noticed that I have very stiff ankes. He called it "ankle Equinus", which basically means that my foot cannot bend in a certain way. He says that might be a source of my knee pain that is caused from when I stand up while pedaling. Has anyone ever heard of this sort of thing before?
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Old 09-26-13, 05:45 AM
  #127  
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can I have your bike?
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Old 09-26-13, 06:17 AM
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If your pain is not there right away sounds like a biomechanical thing. Can you get a fit with cameras and markers to track knee and foot movement? Maybe an initial video when warming up and another after riding for 30 minutes and determine if fatigue changes the way you move on the bike. Any low back issues?
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Old 09-27-13, 01:49 AM
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I'm 23 and i have had the same problem since July when i did a 200km ride on a new bike that wasn't set up properly. Its a pain from the outside and left side of my right kneecap. I've only ridden a few times after that, when on SPD pedals, the pain is is really bad, but when on Speedplays it's not really an issue. The only problem is that i really enjoy CX/Gravel riding where Speedplays aren't really the ideal pedal. When walking or doing any other activity the pain is barely noticeable.

I have not been to a doctor or any physiotherapist but i guess it's some kind of inflammation. I'm going to rest for a few weeks now and then start to build up some more knee strenght over the winter. I've never been injured before and Cycling is the only activity i wholeheartly enjoy so this pain is really annoying.
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Old 09-27-13, 05:24 AM
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Not sure of your insurance and job status but maybe consult an sports medicine doctor or orthopedist to see if the problem can be diagnosed.
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Old 09-28-13, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Cyclelogikal
Not sure of your insurance and job status but maybe consult an sports medicine doctor or orthopedist to see if the problem can be diagnosed.
Yeah I'm lucky enough to have good insurance. I went to an ortho and he said since there isn't pain while running it's a bike setup problem. The problem is I have changed a lot of fit measurements of my bike and I still have the same problem.

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Old 09-28-13, 01:31 PM
  #132  
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Originally Posted by psee
I'm 23 and i have had the same problem since July when i did a 200km ride on a new bike that wasn't set up properly. Its a pain from the outside and left side of my right kneecap. I've only ridden a few times after that, when on SPD pedals, the pain is is really bad, but when on Speedplays it's not really an issue. The only problem is that i really enjoy CX/Gravel riding where Speedplays aren't really the ideal pedal. When walking or doing any other activity the pain is barely noticeable.

I have not been to a doctor or any physiotherapist but i guess it's some kind of inflammation. I'm going to rest for a few weeks now and then start to build up some more knee strenght over the winter. I've never been injured before and Cycling is the only activity i wholeheartly enjoy so this pain is really annoying.
Sounds like a similar problem. I have taken a long time off cycling, so I don't think it's just inflammation.
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Old 11-27-14, 09:04 AM
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Yeah I'm lucky enough to have good insurance. I went to an ortho and he said since there isn't pain while running it's a bike setup problem. The problem is I have changed a lot of fit measurements of my bike and I still have the same problem.
So the ortho didn't give you a specific diagnosis? I recently had a similar issue. (Overtrained, dull pain in my kneepit at first while climbing stairs but now only while riding and only from 20 mins or so on.) Saw a sports medicine doc who couldn't replicate the pain in 20 minutes of pulling, pushing, prodding it. He could only rule out a few things the injury WASN'T, but prescribed some PT, which he explained might have some diagnostic value. And indeed the phys therapist replicated the [pain I get while riding by probing/massaging more deeply into the knee before and after some exercises. She isolated some funkiness in the popliteus muscle deep within the knee, which may not be the ultimate culprit but at least gave us a starting point for something to rehab. This all a long winded way of saying you might try some PT. Also, hang in there, getting an injury properly diagnosed can be difficult and frustrating.
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Old 11-27-14, 09:21 AM
  #134  
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Originally Posted by mattyj
So the ortho didn't give you a specific diagnosis? I recently had a similar issue. (Overtrained, dull pain in my kneepit at first while climbing stairs but now only while riding and only from 20 mins or so on.) Saw a sports medicine doc who couldn't replicate the pain in 20 minutes of pulling, pushing, prodding it. He could only rule out a few things the injury WASN'T, but prescribed some PT, which he explained might have some diagnostic value. And indeed the phys therapist replicated the [pain I get while riding by probing/massaging more deeply into the knee before and after some exercises. She isolated some funkiness in the popliteus muscle deep within the knee, which may not be the ultimate culprit but at least gave us a starting point for something to rehab. This all a long winded way of saying you might try some PT. Also, hang in there, getting an injury properly diagnosed can be difficult and frustrating.
Matt, you have to notice that this is a year old thread. It is unlikely the original poster (OP) will respond to your inquiry. When you have 50 posts, you can personal message him (PM) for direct feedback. If he gets emails regarding his personal messages, then he should respond to you.
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Old 11-28-14, 05:56 PM
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I'm nearly 70 and have been cycling since 1983. I had the exact same problem you have when I first went to locking pedals. I went to look style pedals with a wide range setting and the problem disappeared. You probably have feet like mine that need to float a little to keep the knee in alignment.
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Old 11-28-14, 06:14 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Matt, you have to notice that this is a year old thread. It is unlikely the original poster (OP) will respond to your inquiry. When you have 50 posts, you can personal message him (PM) for direct feedback. If he gets emails regarding his personal messages, then he should respond to you.
You underestimate the amount of time I have on my hands haha.
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Old 11-28-14, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by mattyj
So the ortho didn't give you a specific diagnosis? I recently had a similar issue. (Overtrained, dull pain in my kneepit at first while climbing stairs but now only while riding and only from 20 mins or so on.) Saw a sports medicine doc who couldn't replicate the pain in 20 minutes of pulling, pushing, prodding it. He could only rule out a few things the injury WASN'T, but prescribed some PT, which he explained might have some diagnostic value. And indeed the phys therapist replicated the [pain I get while riding by probing/massaging more deeply into the knee before and after some exercises. She isolated some funkiness in the popliteus muscle deep within the knee, which may not be the ultimate culprit but at least gave us a starting point for something to rehab. This all a long winded way of saying you might try some PT. Also, hang in there, getting an injury properly diagnosed can be difficult and frustrating.
So I went to the doctor and he didn't tell me anything really. He said it wasn't a cartilage or bone problem, but that was it. I went to PT for a while because my podiatrist told me I have loose limited mobility in my ankle, but I didn't get any help from them. I figured out the pain happened on the bike after I ran the day before. So I quit running and I haven't had much trouble since. I wanted amputation, but no doctor would comply... the hacks.
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Old 11-30-14, 05:59 AM
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I can't believe everyone said to visit a variety of medical professionals, try different pedals, saddles, etc. but I don't believe anyone has suggested simply seeing a different/better bike fitter? Not all bike fitters are created equal IMO.
I had your problem back in 2009, and had an appointment with a knee surgeon, because my initial pro-fit only helped a little. Then I paid Nate Loyal in Santa Monica 180 bucks (and felt like a complete tool for doing so) and my knee problem was gone AND I got much faster and cancelled the appointment with the surgeon. That 180 bucks was very likely 1/100th of what surgery would have cost.
Sorry if you have already seen a different fitter, but if you haven't done that... Good luck and keep us abreast!
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Old 11-30-14, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by atallen223
So I went to the doctor and he didn't tell me anything really. He said it wasn't a cartilage or bone problem, but that was it. I went to PT for a while because my podiatrist told me I have loose limited mobility in my ankle, but I didn't get any help from them. I figured out the pain happened on the bike after I ran the day before. So I quit running and I haven't had much trouble since. I wanted amputation, but no doctor would comply... the hacks.
So are you on the bike again? There are many of us out there that would love a 12 month follow up. Hoping your response is a positive one...
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Old 11-30-14, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by oomps83
So are you on the bike again? There are many of us out there that would love a 12 month follow up. Hoping your response is a positive one...
Yeah I'm riding again with no pain! I think running was really what was causing the damage, and cycling was just where it happened to show up. I rode with flats and mtn bike spd's and I had the pain, that's why I don't think it was the pedals that were causing the pain.
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Old 11-30-14, 08:35 PM
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If you are riding to commute, recreation or just to stay fit, i would forgo the clipless pedals. I would try what fixed gear riders mostly do, they use foot retention straps that dont keep your foot so solidly in one position like clipless pedals and shoes. I ride for fitness and recreation and I ride fixed I have foot retention on both my fixed gear bikes, straps, I have had no trouble at all with my knees since riding fixed for about a year and half and I am 61. I ride 100 to 120 miles a week.
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Old 12-01-14, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
Then I paid Nate Loyal in Santa Monica 180 bucks (and felt like a complete tool for doing so)
Wow, so here I am reading this thread, other threads, multiple googled-up results, etc. trying to figure out what to do about the pain on the outside of my right knee (thus far, my uneducated guess is that it's ITBS) and when I asked a much more experienced cycling buddy what he thought I should do, he sent me Nate Loyal's e-mail and phone number.

I think the universe is trying to tell me that Nate and I have a date in the near future.

Thanks for helping drive the message home!
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Old 12-01-14, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by goenrdoug
Wow, so here I am reading this thread, other threads, multiple googled-up results, etc. trying to figure out what to do about the pain on the outside of my right knee (thus far, my uneducated guess is that it's ITBS) and when I asked a much more experienced cycling buddy what he thought I should do, he sent me Nate Loyal's e-mail and phone number.

I think the universe is trying to tell me that Nate and I have a date in the near future.

Thanks for helping drive the message home!
I had mild, chronic knee & back pain all through my 20's, and thought it was just part of life, and part of the challenge. Between my visit to Mr. Loyal, getting a foam roller (they're great for stretching out tight IT bands), and doing yoga, I'm healthier, more pain-free, and even faster (okay the power meter helped with that too) at 45 than I was at 22, when I was getting my @$$ handed to me in the International Class races in Belgium & Holland.
Ah well, live-n-learn! Good luck!

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Old 12-01-14, 01:48 PM
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HTFU.. a little ph-ucking pain and this guy is ready to give up.

spit on the knee and do some mountain repeats until you feel like a man...then do some more

man up byatch

- 41
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Old 12-01-14, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by howeeee
If you are riding to commute, recreation or just to stay fit, i would forgo the clipless pedals. I would try what fixed gear riders mostly do, they use foot retention straps that dont keep your foot so solidly in one position like clipless pedals and shoes. I ride for fitness and recreation and I ride fixed I have foot retention on both my fixed gear bikes, straps, I have had no trouble at all with my knees since riding fixed for about a year and half and I am 61. I ride 100 to 120 miles a week.
I tried this. I even road with straight flats (no retention at all), and I couldn't stop the pain! I stopped running and I can use any pedals without pain now
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Old 12-01-14, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
I can't believe everyone said to visit a variety of medical professionals, try different pedals, saddles, etc. but I don't believe anyone has suggested simply seeing a different/better bike fitter? Not all bike fitters are created equal IMO.
I had your problem back in 2009, and had an appointment with a knee surgeon, because my initial pro-fit only helped a little. Then I paid Nate Loyal in Santa Monica 180 bucks (and felt like a complete tool for doing so) and my knee problem was gone AND I got much faster and cancelled the appointment with the surgeon. That 180 bucks was very likely 1/100th of what surgery would have cost.
Sorry if you have already seen a different fitter, but if you haven't done that... Good luck and keep us abreast!
I saw two fitters. I don't know how much each of them helped, so maybe I'll visit another one if the pain comes back!
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Old 12-01-14, 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
I had mild, chronic knee & back pain all through my 20's, and thought it was just part of life, and part of the challenge. Between my visit to Mr. Loyal, getting a foam roller (they're great for stretching out tight IT bands), and doing yoga, I'm healthier, more pain-free, and even faster (okay the power meter helped with that too) at 45 than I was at 22, when I was getting my @$$ handed to me in the International Class races in Belgium & Holland.
Ah well, live-n-learn! Good luck!

Hahaha I'm too busy getting my ass handed to me on my morning commute Yeah I did get a roller, and man those things make you scream with pain... in a good way!
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Old 12-01-14, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by atallen223
Hahaha I'm too busy getting my ass handed to me on my morning commute Yeah I did get a roller, and man those things make you scream with pain... in a good way!
At your young age, you should be able to run and ride without pain. It might require some serious stretching (something I also took for granted & neglect when I was as young as you are and probably dumber than you are.) Stick with that roller. The pain means your IT band is tight. When you can put all your weight on it without agony, I'll wager your knee problems will go away.
Stretching is HUGE. And there are worse things than stretching, breathing and relaxing in a yoga studio filled with fit, hot, sweaty, scantily-clad young women. Just make some effort at the stretching & breathing while you're there.
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Old 12-01-14, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
getting a foam roller
I only just started riding about a year ago. I've been rolling (albeit not the IT band until recently) for most of the time as a lower back issue (and a general lack of any fitness whatsoever) is what got me started riding in the first place.

The IT band didn't start hurting until about 80 miles into Levi's Granfondo* in early October. It's been painful ever since. Only last week did it finally end a ride for me, however. I could barely turn the crank with the good leg without grimacing as the painful leg went around passively. The call-of-shame to the wife was put off for about thirty minutes while I stretched to no avail. It's time to do something about it now, I think.

Paying a fitter $200 is so tough for a cheapskate like me, though. ugh. Not riding at all and getting fat and out-of-shape again, however, is even worse. Time to sell a guitar or something.

*(Yes, I am aware that Levi's Granfondo's 100 mile route was probably a somewhat overly aggressive choice for a first century...)
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Old 12-01-14, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by calamarichris
At your young age, you should be able to run and ride without pain. It might require some serious stretching (something I also took for granted & neglect when I was as young as you are and probably dumber than you are.) Stick with that roller. The pain means your IT band is tight. When you can put all your weight on it without agony, I'll wager your knee problems will go away.
Stretching is HUGE. And there are worse things than stretching, breathing and relaxing in a yoga studio filled with fit, hot, sweaty, scantily-clad young women. Just make some effort at the stretching & breathing while you're there.
Yeah I have been considering yoga, and stretching will be a good excuse to tell my gf instead of the real reason I am going!
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