Knee Pain
 

Guys,
yesterday I rode all day, maybe about 25 miles. When I got home at night, my right knee had this pain when I stretched the leg completely. Today it still hurts a little. Anyone has got a clue of what may cause this? What's the cure?

Thanks in advance,

Ricardo :p

If you don't regularly have knee pain, maybe you just overdid it this time. If you find you are regularly getting knee pain, check your saddle height and fore/aft position. Many people ride with their saddles too low, which can cause knee problems. Because you said your leg hurt when you stretched it completely, it sounds like maybe you weren't extending it enough during the ride.

You went for a 25 mile bike ride! No wonder your knees hurt so bad! Sounds like to me your just braging! Iam sure your at least 20 years old. You should at lease realize that your legs and/or knees is going to hurt! Suck it up! Welcome to the world of XC.

Could be any number of things. Which part of the knee hurts?

If it feels slightly better today then I don't think you have anything to worry about. Usually serious knee injuries feel worse as time goes on.

I've had bad knees for 10 years and most medical professionals say if it isn't better in 4-6 weeks, you've got a real problem.

you need a new knee. take it to the LBS and they'll get it done for you.

/seriously though, it's probably just overstraining and insufficient leg extension combined

my knees hurt when i ride alot. but it is due to a desaise, i have calcium build up in my knee. if i hit a certain place it hurts like you would not believe. and if keep it bent it hurts after a while, also when i move it around alot.

i dont know, you might have it(this is a little far fetched)

it is probobly just the 25 miles you did.

WOW , thanks. I will raise my saddle a little. Ive been to the doctor and he said mine is burstitis, but Ive been wondering what has been causing it to act up lately

25miles ALL DAY omg how pathetic is that i can do 30miles in jus under 3hrs!! on XC and im 16 come on man get fit!!! sorry bout the knee i recon all you need to do is to raise your seat up. i havnt had this problem but i know a few people who have!! good look!!

Maybe he wasn't trying to go really fast. Maybe he was just sight seeing or just taking his time! Man relax! Now your both braging!

OK, fist of all I'm not braging.

I live in a very busy 8 million people city and I was delivering the invitations to my marriage.

Oh, And no, I am not THAT fit but I'm not a couch potatoe either. And Im 25.

About the saddle, I think it is OK in height but I will try to raise it a little bit more and then I'll report what happens.

Ricardo

Twisting your legs while pedaling will cause knee problems, was more common in the good old days of platform pedals that allow you pedal with your feet pointed inward/outward. Also, besides having the saddle too low having the saddle too high will cause to to hyperextend your knee, this also causes pain

where is the pain? Front? back? inside? outside? under knee cap?

The rule I use for the height of my seat is when I'm riding my leg is just ALMOST extended. I leave a little bend in my leg. This works the lower and upper leg. I have horrible knees, I'm 19, and they hurt just from standing around. I guess I'm the opposite of you, when I exert it, it feels better! hope this helps. Did your knee swell at all? Is it a sharp or a dull pain? constant, or intermitent when you extend it?

I wish I could help Ricardo, but I can’t seem to resolve my own knee problem. While on this topic anyone know what might be contributing to knee pain in the tendon of the right leg just immediately to the left of the knee cap. I tried raising the seat, and lowering the saddle. Lowering it caused pain behind the knee. I also tried moving the saddle back and then forward. Still had knee pain, but in different locations--always just in the right leg. I sure would appreciate any insight for my own situation while hoping to help shed light on Ricardo’s. Thanks!

That reminds me, if you ride clipless pedals that have little or no float, that can also lead to knee pain as it can force your leg to remain in a position that is biomechanically incorrect for you. I don't think I've ever heard complaints about too much float leading to knee problems.

To add a little more information to the saddle too high/too low discussion, when the pedal is at its lowest point in the rotation of the crank, your leg should be comfortably extended but still slightly bent. (I like to think of it as about 85% extended, but that's my personal experience.) If your leg is fully extended or your knee is locked, the saddle is too high. If your hips rock side to side in the saddle, the saddle is probably too high; your upper body should remain relatively still while pedaling. Downhill and freeride riders tend to keep their saddles lower than XC riders, so they have more clearance in the rough stuff. Road riders probably keep their saddles the highest to maximize pedaling efficiency.

There is a lot of debate over proper fore/aft position. One starting point that is often mentioned, and that I've successfully used myself is to drop a plumb bob (string with a weight on it) from just below your knee down to the pedal, with the crank on that side forward and parallel to the ground. The string should be centered over the pedal spindle, but a bit behind the spindle can be OK too. Note that cleat position is a factor here.

There is no simple answer -- even a professional fitting may not get it exactly right. In the end, you have to do what your body tells you is right, so try different things. Find a reasonable starting point, then make small adjustments (1cm or less) until you find the right position.

mine is bursitis and I have the same situation. I moved it forward on the advice of a friend about my back hurting when doing steep long climbs and now I cant find the sweet spot it used to be in. I also work on concrete all day so that also makes it take longer to stop being stiff and painful

When I ride sometimes the top part of my knee gets some painfullness whatever. And that samething happens to me when I stretch it out too sometimes.

i set my saddle so when i am sitting on it it my leg is fully extended when my heel is flat on the pedal. it gives you that little bit that your foot can move, seems to work good.

just thought id add that

He can still out-type and out-spell you though.

It's been fairly well touched on in the previous posts.

1) You over did it maybe

2) The seat height is too low (leg should be "almost" fully extended @ the 6:00 pedal position)

2) The seat height is too low (leg should be "almost" fully extended @ the 6:00 pedal position)[/QUOTE]

dont forget that the foot should be parrelel(sp) to the ground when checking this. mine was too low but my knee was almost straight ONLY when my heel was pointed down. also I had it once too high and when my heel was lifted up it seemed right at the knee