I've bunged my knee.
I don't know how or when. I haven't (knowingly) changed anything in my riding setup and I certainly haven't been overdoing it lately. It happened a bit over a week ago when I noticed a bit of a twinge down in the knee joint as I was trundling home. I didn't think too much of it—it would be fine by morning, surely.
Wrong
The next morning I started out well, but I wasn't far from home when things went downhill fast. I was getting severe discomfort on every down stroke, to the point that I was effectively pedalling with my good leg only. And the sore knee still hurt as it turned around.
By some good/bad/indifferent fortune I came down sick that same day, so I left the treadly shackled to a post at work and took the train home. And I continued to ride the train for several days after that—joy of joys.
By the end of the week I'd shaken off the lurgy and with nary a peep from the knee I was fit enough to ride again. Or so I thought. Despite the extended rest, the knee pain came back almost immediately.
Consultation
So I took my problem to the family physioterrorist over the weekend, in any exchange that went a little like this:
- Me
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I need some advice.
- Phyiso
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(Knowing look)
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Oh, yeah? What's wrong?
- Me
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Well, Friday week ago I was riding to work and I got some really nasty knee joint pain.
- Physio
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Does it happen any other time?
- Me
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Not really. I notice it sometimes when I pull my feet back to stand up from a chair. Other than that, it's just cycling that does it. I wasn't riding most of last week because I was sick, so I thought that would be good recovery time, but when I rode the bike home last night it started again.
- Physio
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Hmm, could be overwrought hyperflexion of the interstitial gristle*.
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* It's possible these were not the exact words used.
- Me
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So, what can I do about it?
- Physio
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Well, a bit of cycling is usually pretty good for that.
- Me
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Aaaarrgggh!
Cruelty
Several years ago, during a period of madness, I was a gym regular. This ended with a crippling knee injury that made it painful to walk and near impossible to climb stairs. It's recovered pretty well, but since then that knee has always been the dodgy one—it's the creaky, crunchy one. The cruelest thing about the current injury is that it's in the other knee.
So it's look like dual dodgy knees—oh, how jolly!
Hmm, I think I'd better check my seat height…
Well, in fairness, you gets what you pays for—and I was tugging on the ol' family ties (not even stumping up for a cup of coffee). So I've no cause to complain.
Also the "consultation" wasn't taking place under anything approaching clinical conditions. And of course I stopped reporting the conversation at the most entertaining point. The good physio did go on to suggest a few practical things I could do, including checking my seat adjustment.
I have had a very similar injury to my right knee, 3years ago, and have had two surgery to fix it, but each time the pain has come back, a can no longer use my bike or do any of the prior activity I did before. I have see 5 seperate doctors with no luck, and I am only 30. My knee hurts with down force and extension on the outer part of the knee above the knee cap, the leg will give out and I will hit the ground cursing, so I guess I feel your pain also.
Im a Fitness Specialist/Trainer Functional Movement Expert in NYC and knees are one of my specialties. Most knee pain is associated with the IT (Iliotibial) band. A piece of fascia that runs along side the outer part of the quad from hip to knee. This gets filled with tension and knots. If this is not rolled out, the tension becomes too much and begins to pull on the knee outward. So you can experience pain on the inside, outside and even at worst case (what feels like) under the knee cap. All this can be taken care of with foam rolling. Seriously foam rolling will save your knees and keep you doing all the things you love. Too many people just settle thinking consistent workouts killed their knees, when in fact is improper form and not foam rolling to align the muscles (in releasing tension) to enable proper form. i hope this helps!
Comments
Funny story. No asprin, and call in the morning diagnosis?