my left knee has been feeling very uncomfortable, its swollen up at one stage and i have noticed the tissue above my knee cup has felt a little warm. I've had an MRI check but the doctors said i was fine and that it was just fluid causing all that, they said in a few months it will go if i ice my knee. fast forward to now my knee has had no improvements and it hard for me to sit or lay still without feeling uncomfortable in my left knee.

Sounds like you need to see another (different ) doctor? Is this cycling related? I need a LOT more detail than what little you have posted in order to help you. But nothing I could say would be as important as you following up with the medical professionals you already solicited. Best.

H

Ask your doctor about steroid + lidocaine injections directly into the knee. It may help some.

I find the more I ride my bike, the more the knees feel better, and perhaps even causing a reduction of fluid in the knees, but results may vary by person.

What crank arm length are you using? In my ignorance of your exact situation, I'll guess shorter crank arms will help.

See a doctor, preferably one who also rides a bike. Could be overuse, injury, degenerative...lots of options. Is it better with rest, ice, elevation or does it get stiffer and worse with rest? Take some Nsaids and see if it helps - the meds will reduce inflammation. Could also be bursitis. You need to find a doc who can actually figure it out. Or - you can use my method: wait long enough and it will either go away or kill you, lol.

I'm sure we'll be able to solve this for you.

Do a search for chrondomalacia patellae (edit: and look for posts by me, 79pmooney). I have posted my experience with it on Bike Forums several times. That post contains information I have never seen all in one place anywhere; information that has allowed me to keep riding for 38 years so far on my OEMS since I was diagnosed.

I hope chrondomalcia (CP) isn't your issue. There isn't a cure yet beyond knee replacement that I have heard of. But it can be lived with and it needn't end your riding. But you do have to follow some rules or you will be getting in line for those 3rd party knees.

Ben

Thanks a lot!!

I was diagnosed with chrondomalacia when I was 24. I'm about to turn 57 now. I manage. Riding more helps, oddly enough. I also take glucosamine+chondroitin capsules daily, and they help. I try not to mash in high gears.