PTW

I don't know if anyone has any advice, but my right knee is troubling me at the moment. So much so that I have had to stop cycling completely until it improves. Now that Christmas is here I don't need to cycle anywhere until the 8th of Jan, which may be all the rest it needs, but it is very annoying to be deprived of my usual mode of transport.

It's been hurting since the trip to Tenby - I don't know what might have set it off - maybe my saddle was a half an inch too low, or my legs didn't appreciate the freedom of movement you get with SPDs or maybe it just didn't like the cold. I've done no rides at all since then, except gentle trips to Swansea.

It might need a specialist diagnosis, but my surgery couldn't offer me an appointment before the middle of January. By then it might be back to normal. Perhaps, if I describe the symptoms, someone might be able to say what it might be? In any case, there might be riders who have experienced something similar and know what to advise. Thanks in advance for any help offered.

WHERE IT HURTS

- left hand side of right kneecap, towards the front

WHEN IT HURTS

- walking down stairs
- on the rowing machine (a bit)
- on the bike (a lot!) especially after about 9 miles
- flexing the knee (even just letting the left leg push the pedal down)

WHAT DOESN'T HURT

- straightening the leg
- pressing the pedals hard
- it didn't hurt at all during the ride to Tenby and back, just a few days afterwards

SYMPTOMS

- knee eventually clicks when walking downstairs
- knee clicks when held with both hands and straightened
- the click doesn't hurt, but it is new and a distinct difference between my two knees

Let's hope it sorts itself out. I could do without knee trouble

Thank you all,

Bill.

Sorry to hear that Bill. I've only ever had knee trouble when starting back after a long lay-off so I can't really help except to say that it sounds bad enough to get it checked out.

Perhaps you could jump on your bike and, without looking down, clip in. Now look down and see if the heel of your right foot is closer or further away from the crank when compared to your left foot.

Hi Bill, have you set your spuds up correctly i.e. sit on a table or work surface with your knees about 2" from the edge,relax your legs and feet,take note of the position your feet adopt i.e. turned in or out, then mimic this by adjusting the cleats on your shoes.this will give you your natural position of your feet when walking or running which in effect is what you're actually doing when riding a bike.Failing that it could be the fore and aft position or even the height of your saddle.

regarding your knee problem bill, what type of shoe plates do you use? i'm asking this because over the years i've known a few riders with knee complaints. this was mainly because before the current system shoe plates were crudly nailed on to the shoe with no adjustment. i to had a few problems with this. these days I use look plates with the arc facility and this allows the knee to find its position and is a lot more forgiving on the joint. If you use the fixed type of plate then look at this, because there is no allowance for incorrect alignment. also look at saddle height. as a general guide the heel should sit comfortably on the pedal when the leg is straight without overstretching. also check out the info i've sent you about different types of knee complaints. as you haven't long been married you might have housemaids knee, there is such a thing.

Hi Bill
I've sent you an email, have you read it?
I know what the problem is and have outlined the solution. Your knee is being pulled out of track due to the ITB being tight. Thats the muscle banding that runs on the outside of the thigh. it tightens for a number of reasons which can include continually pushing big gears and/or having the saddle to high. Sypmtoms are exactly as you describe and I should know because i have suffered with the same problem. I suggest you see jeff for a massage to loosen the thigh and then speak to me about stretches that will keep the problem at bay.

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Perhaps you could jump on your bike and, without looking down, clip in. Now look down and see if the heel of your right foot is closer or further away from the crank when compared to your left foot.

Usually my knees drift outwards and my heels inwards farmer-style, hence the reason I always rub the logos off my cranks. But on the trip to Tenby I remember making a conscious effort to try and keep my knees closer to the crossbar. Looking down this puts everything nicely in-line, but may be something the legs aren't used to and neither want nor appreciate.

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regarding your knee problem bill, what type of shoe plates do you use?

After looking at the forecast I decided to take the Dawes Galaxy with SPD pedals. These are rather worn and give massive freedom of movement in all axes. I've been riding the bike for 8 months and have been using the pedals for about 7 years. They should give the knees a very easy time.

Thanks for the help. I think I need to get properly checked out. Not looking forward to Christmas without me bike

Bill sorry to keep on, but the initial problem can be solved quite easily, so get yourself over to Jeff.

Bad knees and not long married! table enders,those were the days.

I've now been professionally diagnosed with 'Prepatella Bursitis' and have been given a dose of ultrasound and a course of NSAIDs. It seems to be improving of its own accord at long last, but I am still officially a non-cyclist

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Prepatellar bursitis, less common in cycling, should be suspected when swelling and tenderness anterior to the patella exist and can arise from acute trauma. Chronic prepatellar bursitis is more common than the acute form and usually results from repeated microtrauma, such as bicycle pedaling.

Hmmm, so it seems that I can resume cycling, but only if I don't pedal. Oh well, from what I gather the bursae seem to be less important components of the knee, and options appear to be to a) grin and bear it b) remove the offending bursa surgically or c) hit it with a book and burst the little bugger!

Thanks for all supportive comments. I just want to get my knee working again now, and do what I can to minimise any chance of recurrence. As for table-enders, I can only quote George Michael:

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...I think I'm done with the kitchen table, baby

Oh yeah, and the clicking is an unrelated condition: chronic crepitus of the patella, caused by small growths on the rear surface of the patella. Doesn't seem to be serious and there is no cure. I think I'm just starting to wear out.

Hi Bill, I'm glad you have a diagnosis on your knee. Maybe pushing lighetr gears may help. I think I remember and correct me if I am wrong, but dont you push big gears all the time.

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Maybe pushing lighetr gears may help. I think I remember and correct me if I am wrong, but dont you push big gears all the time.

I do push big gears by default, but then my reasoning is that if I'm not actually pushing the pedals then I may as well change up. I'm not a natural spinner. However, I'm stuck at the moment in the dilemma that my knee just aches whilst pedalling - so the less I pedal, the less it aches. You can see the problem. That said, I will happily try pedalling backwards if it stops the bursitis recurring!

I had my first little ride for 3 weeks this morning, and I seem to have got away with it, for the moment. We'll see how things go

Fingers crossed for you Bill