Originally Posted by
Pamestique
I have rather bad knees but I've managed to stay away from surgery doing two things... the first is learning to spin properly (using clipless pedals) and not putting alot of load on my knees until they are properly warmed up. If your pedaling technique is good (i.e. knees in, feet properly positioned, good use of spin) you should experience little or no knee pain.
The second is doing strength exercises and evening out the muscles above and below my bad knees. Part of my knee problems was having over developed quad and weak hams. I have worked to even out both big muscle groups (as recommended by a physical therapist) and I am amazed at how well this helps.
Great - actually crucial - advice!. Couldn't have been said better.
Reducing the load on damaged joints is critical, esp. when the bursa has not inflated by warming up before putting any power into the pedals. I toured for years on road bikes with 42-52 chainrings, and I'm paying for it now. I wish I had discovered lower gears sooner!
I might add, also incorporate a regimen of stretching - my PT recommended daily back, hip and leg stretches with holding the stretch. It is hard to keep up with them because they seem trivial, but after a month of doing the daily stretch routines, I perceived that I stood and walked differently, and with diminished pain in back, hips, and knees.