guff knee - any hints to reducing stress on it??

[jax13]

as title really folks, about 6 years ago our ridgeback decided to run into the side of my knee at full speed....... one cartwheel and less than elegant landing, 6 x-rays, 2 mri's, 50+ hours at the physio over the last 3 years has left me still having problems and not being bothered about going back to the nhs to try and fix me as according to them they can't do anything else for me as there are no signs of 'mechanical damage' from scans etc.

my main problem is that after a 10+ year break from regular cycling i am getting back into it again and am struggling a bit with the knee aching like hell after a couple of days on the bike (doing between 8 & 20 miles a day 3 or 4 times a week at the moment)

surely there are plenty of people on here who have smashed knees up and suffer with similar problems so my question to you guys is simple..... what do you do to reduce stress / aching in the joint???

 

[Steve Kish]

Saddle height could be crucial. Too low and you open the joint too much.

Also, might be best to gear down with a higher cadence and less pushing action and build up slowly with the miles. Wearing SPDs will also allow the pedalling to be done with a bit of pulling; this may help.

Whilst not being a health professional, consider the aching as warning signs in the hope that slow progress may strengthen everything in the knee area.

IMHO, NHS physio is not up to a lot!

 

[passiflora]

never heat.... never heat cream, can do more damage than good.

never knee supports etc restrict blood flow.

you could tape the patella.

also the main thing is lots and lots of ice packs after every ride, and try elavating your leg at night time for a couple of nights.

lastly knee surgery is very good now if you get the right specialists, dont let just anyone operate, do your research etc...I should know Iv'e had quite a few knee ops, was operated on by same surgeon who did gazza's knee's back in the day..

last word..ice never heat.

COOL BEANS...

 

[Tazio]

My knees hav been shot for years and a combination of that and back pain stopped me riding for quite a while, on more than one occasion.

Now I just cycle at a very high cadence unless it's impractical. This seems to help a lot, and I only use platform pedals.

 

[Khane]

have you thought about going to a chiropractor ??

i screwed my knee up (standing on it for more than 10 mins hurt like hell could walk a mile at most and couldnt even contemplate cycling), took the NHS 3 Xrays 2 MRIs 1 explorative surgery numerous courses of physio and 5 odd years to come back to me and say "we don't know whats wrong with it" .

took a trip to a chiropractor, she did an examination told me what i'd done (patella slipped from grove & twisted my shin bone) with weekly appointments i was back on the bike within 6 weeks, and am now pretty much back to how i was prior to the incident (altho will never be exactly how i was prior)

so my advice find a good chiropractor and pay them a visit.

 

[jax13]

i was starting to think down the route of a chiro / osteopath but am slightly weary!!!

the best guess that my nhs physio (not a typical nhs jobsworth, she is genuinely one of the good ones!!) along with the physio at the rugby club (don't play anymore but go for the odd social pint!) is that the damage done has left my leg pulling the kneecap slightly off centre, although they don't know if its twisting or being pulled across.

one thing i do find is that i will look down and my duff leg has twisted itself outwards into being slightly pigeon toed on the pedal! I'm not keen on clip in pedals, they may have advanced since i last used them but i do prefer platforms, but i think some toeclips might not be a bad idea to see if they help at all.

 

[stedlocks]

Also, get some glucosamine sulphate from tesco or holland and barrat when they have a sale on..... My knees are knackered from years of sport, but after taking it for a couple of years there has been a dramatic improvement.

 

[jax13]

Also, get some glucosamine sulphate

didn't actually think about glucosamine - the missus is a vet nurse so we can get it at trade price anyway (the human stuff as well as the animal one!!)

could be worth a shot!

 

[Pickle]

Wearing SPDs will also allow the pedalling to be done with a bit of pulling; this may help.

Yes, but as long as they are set up to the right angle AND loose enough to give some float.

 

[IDB1]

(the human stuff as well as the animal one!!)

They are one and the same

My eldest (12 years old) has a knee cap that is pulling out of line, the local hospital physio gave her a set of exercises to do twice a day and she is reporting a marked improvement..

Could it be worth also trying to strengthen the joint with light exercises on non-cycling days?

Never had to deal with knees so can't draw on personal experience...