After four weeks off the bike, my knee was clearing up. A few gentle rides were fine. But, when the intensity increased the discomfort returned. A chance meeting with Mark Jones (Oxford City) galvanised me into ringing up a physiotherapist for an appointment. (Mark was also giving me a lot of excellent tips for saving watts in Time trials through better aerodynamics – it made me really want to get back on bike.) Anyway I got an appointment the next day with a sports physiotherapist in Oxford.
A few simple tests suggested the right leg (with bad knee) was weaker. This may partly due to its relatively lower use in past few weeks. But, interestingly when standing and bending on the right leg, the body tended to twist leaving the knee pointing in the wrong direction (i.e. not straight) When bending the left knee the knee kept a straight line facing in same direction as the toes.
This suggested the knee was actually OK. The problem was the bio-mechanics of the body was moving the knee in an awkward (unnatural angle) This angle creates the friction in the knee joint. Apparantely many people have it. But, it is only when doing heavy exercise you tend to notice it.
It felt intuitively correct. Looking at the bend in the mirror was quite revealing, it really did look a little awkward. If that kind of bend is repeated 1000s of times, it’s not surprising there is some friction in the knee.
I will be doing some simple exercises to strengthen muscles in the leg and buttock to help keep the leg pedalling in a line that doesn’t put pressure on the knee.
A Few Points.
- I wish I’d listened to my mother and gone to a sports physiotherapist earlier (very rare I say I wish I’d listened to my mother).
- An MRI scan probably wouldn’t have shown anything or given a diagnosis. An MRI scan is helpful after a consultation to help confirm or deny a diagnosis.
- I’ve never done any gym work in the winter. But, now feel that leg strengthening exercises can be very beneficial. In particular simple squats can be helpful.
- The important thing is not just doing leg squats but also look at the angle of the knee bend.
- Knee problems could be exacerbated by poor position on the bike. A few years ago I got a cycle fit to check position. This is first step to try.
I guess there are many different knee problems, but, if you have problems try standing on a leg and then bending the leg. Notice the angle of the knee. If the angle is all other the place and you are swinging your hips, I recommend going to a good sports physiotherapist for further evaluation.
By the way I visited Oxford Sports Rehabilitation. I paid £38 for an hour’s session and felt it very good value.
I will keep taking Glucosamine and Cod Liver Oil as this may help speed up irritation in knee caused by problem.
I’ll try give an update in a few weeks. Hopefully, I will have some good news to share!
Re:Dave
You’ll want to see a podiatrist or chiropodist for that one.
Have you considered your footware and how you stand? A friend had knee problems and they were cured by wearing an insert in his shoes.
Glad to hear you have a diagnosis. With any luck the stretches you were given should keep that pain at bay and help you get back to cycling soon
I got a knee injury (ITB shortening) once from cycling on to small a pedal. Took me an age to find out what it was as I recently taken up a more intense rowing program. Physio was about 3 sessions of 30 quid but well worth it.