Bit worried about my knee

[losidan]

On thurs I was out for my usual work lunch hour ride....On the last half mile or so I usually just spin a lower gear to "warm down" so to speak.
On a very short drag after a sharp right on the cycle track, of the home stretch, I didnt shift down as usual or stand up to pedal but just pushed down real hard on the pedals sat in the saddle. As soon as I did I got a big sharp twinge at the right hand side of my left knee. Immediately I shifted down and spun a much easier gear the rest of the way. After the initial twinge it didnt hurt but was more uncomfortable than anything.

The last two nights I have been woken up early am with some pain in the same area of my knee...I get back to sleep and when I get up in the morning it doesnt hurt. I have had some instances since also during the day where it is again uncomfortable and then goes after 15 mins or so.

If it persists i'll go and see the gp but just wondering if anyone else has had similar? I ride flat pedals all the time...Is it worth my wearing a knee support sock when i ride?
Dan

 

[paulstottuk]

sounds like you have twinged your ACL Anterior Cruciete Ligament. just need some reat and lay off the heavy gearing. This ligament contects the quad (thigh muscle) to the calf and also stabalises the knee, Try heat and ice..... Hot pack for about five mins then cold pack for the same this should bring out the swelling... If pain persists after two days see the GP.Hope this helps

Paul

 

[dyna-ti]

Persists nothing,go soon as
If you have damaged the tendon or cartilage then walking or riding will most definitely make it worse ,if not leave permanent damage
Go in and see him/her,you can sometimes get a same day appointment towards the end of the day,but phone and check first

 

[Harryburgundy]

Seems a fair bit of this about recently*...did mine a few months ago...flipping hurt for ages. Torns tendons maybe. Take it easy, rest and it will get better...or go see the doctor.



*old gets

 

[losidan]

oh bugger...better get to the doc quick, mind you he is so up on medical science my doc he will no doubt recommend a course of leeches

 

[Student Bob]

Might be worth skipping the GP and going straight to a physio! ACL is a good guess, but I'm more inclined to think its a medial meniscal tear considering the mechanism of injury (pressing down on the pedal whilst seated). You've got two menisci in each knee, they're pads of cartilage that help absorb shock - like elastomers shaped like polos, the lateral (outside) and medial (inside) the medial takes much of the load as its more aligned for your axis of weight-bearing so it's the bigger of the two and most commonly damaged. Sometimes a little bit shears off the edge of the cartilage polo and that causes pain.

With an ACL rupture, you'll sometimes get a feeling like your knee is giving way and with a meniscal tear you'll get an occasional feeling of locking in your knee. You might also get pain when you really straighten your leg.

But, go see a physio, there's a couple of tests they can do which'll diagnosis this in minutes. Either way it's probably something that'll heal in 4-6 weeks and keeping load off the knee during this time will help!! Spinning is going to be really good, but no sprinting and defo no single-speeding..... I'd be interested to know what this turns out to be if you feel like sharing your medical history!?!

 

[Khane]

that sounds like the exact same thing that happened to me 5 years ago (still suffering now as i was pretty lax in geting to the doctor) with pretty much the same description of how it happened.

went through all the NHS channels who came up with nothing even after MRI & explorative surgery.

went to a local chiropractor and it turns out my knee cap had slipped out of its usual running groove, but i've also slightly twisted my knee causing the cartlidge to slip.

pain is in the exact same place as yours left knee on the right side roughly at the intersection of the femur and tib/fib.

maybe if the NHS could of diagnosed the issue all those years ago i wouldnt still be in pain and almost unable to cycle.

IMO i would find a good local chiro they should set you right in no time.

just my oppinion on course of treatment as the NHS did nothing for me :x