elysdean

I thought I'd post this here as well as in the Road forum.

Well I've searched all the posts from the last year on knee pain and I did not find the answer I was looking for, so as much as we all hate having this subject brought up yet again, here I go:

My right knee has been bothering me for the last couple of weeks. The location of the pain is on the inside of the knee and the upper part of the knee cap. It will hurt some while I'm riding, but it is really bad after I ride. It doesn't hurt at all when I walk, but when I first get up from a chair it will hurt. It also hurts to the touch, like a bruise, for a few days afterwards.

I have changed my saddle postion a little before the pain started (I moved the saddle forward so that my knee was more over the pedal spindal, it was way behind it). Also around this time the intensity of my training rides greatly increased and I've been in my big ring a lot more.

I keep my cadence between 90 and 110 rpms and I'm using speedplay pedals (X series, so full float).

Is it just my knee getting use to bigger gears again? Thanks for the help.

Scott

Roody

How old are you? How severe is the pain? Is it worse when you first get up in the morning? Any swelling? Why have you not seen a doctor?

DannoXYZ 

If you moved your saddle forward, you also have to raise it in order to maintain the same leg-extension & angle...

On the inside edge of the knee-cap would also tend to show that your heels are too far inward on the cleat-angle.

elysdean

I'm 29 and the pain isn't really enough to slow me down while I'm riding. The bruised feeling and how it aches when I first get up after sitting while is the worst part, but that is more of an annoyance than serious pain. There is no swelling around the knee. Also if I do a bit longer stretching session after my ride the knee pain is a lot less.

I'm just a little worried about this knee since in 2001 I tore the miniscus and sheared off the back of that knee cap in an accident at rapier practice.

I've checked the seat hight and it is the same. I'll check my cleats though.

Scott

isuffer

Right knee pain, inside, towards knee cap. I did foam rolling and stretching which helped a lot. Foam rolling can ben painful but you'll feel great afterwards. Foam roll your quads, hams, gastrocs and glutes. Google foam rolling and active isolated stretching. You might consider getting fitted to get proper seat and cleat position. Also Lemond wedges or isoles will help with alignment from feet to knee. A good shop should be able to help you. Best of luck.

Roody

I would go with a professional bike fitting. If the pain persists, see a doctor, especially if you're serious about cycling. A small problem now will be a major problem later.

My right knee pain turned out to be osteoarthritis, but you're young for that--unless the previous injury caused it. A lot of arthritis--especially knee--is caused by sports injuries.

VT Biker

I had the same problem, and am coincidentally, 29. I visited a physical therapist, who was able to diagnose that I have a combination of (a) New Bike Legs and (b) slightly off-set hip joints, causing my feet to role, and hence, knees to bend.

She said that I would need to (a) strengthen the knee and (b) stretch the ligaments, (c) get a proper bike fit. In addition, I needed to lay off the hills and stay in the flats, progressively increasing the gear ratio to increase the tension. 5 months later, I was big ringing it up the Front Range.

I would have a medical or physical therapist review your bio mechanics just to be sure that you may not need some sort of orthotics. The reason is that can sometimes fix a problem rather quickly and avoid other unnecessary rehabbing.

race newbie

+1 on the doctor visit, especially since you've already had issues. I had a bike fit, then my seat got adjusted lower without my knowledge while in for service. Caused bursitis of the pes anserine which is on the inside (left side of right) knee but lower than knee cap- same kind of pain you described. They gave me cortisone patches and stretches to do and was advised to lay off hills and stay under 25 mile rides until better.

elysdean

hey everyone! Thank you for all the advice. My coach is going to do a bike fit for me this weekend. Ironically I just got an email for Graeme Street who makes the Cyclo-core dvds (I've been doing that workout since last fall). He has been getting a lot of questions about this from people doing the workouts and had a few things to try out to fix the issue. The knee is already feeling a lot better, so hopefully it won't be an issue for me this season. Thanks again.

Scott

Greg180

I put the Speed plays on a the end of last season, (full float), and have developed the same knee pain on my left side. Got a professional fitting and it is not as bad. The LBS that did the fitting told me that not everyone should have free float. In there opinion that can lead to more joint issues.