Back from the doctor: tendinitis, What to do?
 

I came back from the doctor on Monday and was told I have tendinitis on top, above the knee cap (whatever that tendon is). Anyways, he gave me a cortisone shot, told me to take some Advil and rest.

Now I tried to do some research, but most said tendinitis occurs from over working it. Can it also occur from wrong saddle height / etc?

This problem has been going on for months and I have already tried ever saddle position, different shoes, pedals with float, doctor checked to see if one leg was longer than the other, etc.

So my next step is go see a bike fitter and have him see if I'm doing anything wrong.

But what else can I do? Is there is biking knee brace that could help?

EDIT: Where would I buy one of those goniometer that all these sites say to use to measure knee angle?

You might consider following the doctor's advice. It's the patellar tendon. More than likely an overuse injury. Increase your cadence to reduce stress on the knee.

Having the saddle too high may put added stress on your patellar tendon. This happened to me once.

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/pate...llartendon.htm

Going to get a fit sounds like a good option, if you are unfamiliar with how saddle height is determined.

Above the knee cap would be the quad tendon, not the patellar tendon (which is below the knee cap)

I have quadriceps tendinitis (tendinosis to be precise) like it seems you do

Medically it is considered an "over use" symptom but for me, it was not from overuse. I do not mash the pedals, I spin low gear and ride only 10 miles a week. I still have not found the real reason behind my problem but my hypothesis is that it has to do with my misaligned hips (now being corrected at a chiropractor) and my short tight hamstrings.
Bike fit also does play a role so get professionally fit

I have had my condition for over a year now, completely miserable feeling not being able to ride the way I want. Right now, I am laying off cycling temporarily. I will rest and let the pain subside and 2 weeks after I first feel no pain, I will attempt to resume cycling

Where would I buy one of those goniometer that all these sites say to use to measure knee angle?

Knees are the weak joints, so problems elsewhere often show up in the knee. Get yourself to a good fitter (the best ones are also PTs).

Cadence may be an issue.

Also, it easy riding is generally good as long as it doesn't make it worse. Pure rest is the worst thing for me when my knees hurt.

Drink lots of water. When I dehydrate my tendonitis can act up easily. It makes a big difference.

Stretch stretch stretch.

And don't push it.

I have achilles tendonitis pretty much permanently now - well going on 7 years now. Listen to your body.

I dunno, but my guess is if you have to ask, you can't afford it... :D

There $15 bucks online.....of course online bike places charge $40. I just want it now.....

I'll do more calling this morning.

This isn't necessarily an issue of bike fit at this point, but of rest. If you have tendonitis you need to take 3-6 months off otherwise it will never get better, even if your bike is perfectly fitted etc. Trust me on this one.

Put the bike away for the winter and start a yoga program. You'll be ready to get back on the bike next spring.

Get fit and get off the bike if you can. Don't mess with tendinitis, let it heal, and keep it damned warm in the chance you are on your bike in the cold..

Preach it brother.

Letting the soft tissues get cold can cause havoc when tendinitis has set in. You'll be inside this winter?

Oh yeah, and he's doing that by reducing the thickness of the wallet that you sit on?

I'd also take some supplements like Glucosamine, MSM, turmeric, ginger, and bromelain (pineapple enzyme).

Winter? I live in Louisiana....lol

Anyways, i'm giving it two weeks of rest and ill try some riding. If it feels the same, i'll probably give it a couple of months rest. Its a bummer since I was going to do the big dam 100, this month.

I was thinking about this for the poster probably has spinal issues that can only be handled by a good chiropractor. This is really a hit or miss situation and it's unknown if he fix the problem. I have a back problem and you can't create a good fit because I'm sitting incorrectly on the saddle. As a result, my hips are off and too much pressure is put on my left hand. If he has health insurance why not use it?

I am as skeptical as you are I'm sure. I have no evidence that this is doing anything but I am at the point that I am willing to give anything a go. All doctors so far have failed me so I'm continuing to try new things.
I am covered under my health insurance for this so its not a big gamble, only $10 a visit.

I have a history of back pain and minor scoliosis as well as feeling that my left sit bone makes more contact than my right. It makes sense to me that there is a misalignment but in the end we'll see if this does anything.