Hi,
Over the past 12 years I have done everything I can to destroy my right knee. First injury was at 16 years old, I am now 28....
2002: Broken femur, broken knee cap - Metal pin through femur
2003: Pin removed due to issues with scarring and movement restrictions
2005: Torn ACL, torn hamstring, torn cartilage - ACL reconstruction, metal pins and menisectomy
2010: Arthroscopy and general wash out
2012: Crack in bone in knee joint - Micro-fracture technique
2015: Torn cartilage, fractured bone - Menisectomy and 'smoothing out'
So yeah, knee is looking bad. After the microfracture in 2012 I was told I can't do any impact sports, (including simple things like running, twisting/turning) so bought a road bike and began pedalling.
Fell in love with it last summer and between putting the bike away for winter and getting it out this year have managed more damage and a final warning from the consultant... next thing for me is a knee replacement.... oh and I have tri-compartmental osteoarthritis just as an extra little treat.
I have a long list of additional issues as a result of all this including; sciatica, glute weakness, hipflexor weakness, poor balance, leg alignment issues and of course, pain and swelling.
I had a bike fit done which was very insightful and worth every penny. Cost me £70 in total but was worth so much more in terms of me understanding my issues and he gave me some specific exercises to strengthen my core and my glutes.
My bike has been modified too. Something I would never have known I needed. Shorter stem, lower handlebars, new pedals (speedplay) and I needed a new seatpost with more setback, 25-30mm. This is the main thing I took away from the bike fit. My pedal stroke was forcing my knee to move inwards toward the frame on each downstroke. With the extra setback and a lower seat, and am much straighter on my stroke and I have noticed less pain down the outside of my knee.
Hope you find this useful... oh and don't be put off by the claims that speedplay require lots of maintenance... they don't. Just a bit of lube and a bit of TLC.
So... lots to discuss 
