Riding through strange pulled muscle

[gabriellesca]

I pulled a strange muscle right under and to the inside of my knee last night during spin class. My knee and leg has been hurting a bit but I thought it was due to a walking-intense vacation in Spain and a tough round of squats last weekend when I got back. But in spin we were up for almost the entire class and it was pretty bad last night and this morning. Painful to walk and a tiny bit swollen.

I wanted to try to get on my bike to train for a team ride next week - any advice on whether it would be good or bad to ride through this? Not encouraged that riding last night REALLY hurt it. But we were up alot. Icing and Ibuprofin - but its not helping.

[Bike Writer]

First I am not a doctor.

But my opinion only, pain that does not go away is there for a reason. It's your body's way of telling you to stop. If it were me, I would stop for a few days and then try out gentle rides. If I were to still have pain with an easy ride, I'd think about seeing a Dr. and go on their advice. Hope this is nothing big and you feel much better soon.

[jessmarimba]

Yeah, my "strange pulled muscle" just turned out to be an inflamed nerve, which will not heal if you keep irritating it.

I'd see a doctor.

[gabriellesca]

Okay - you guys are convincing me. I'm sitting here with throbbing pain in my leg after having it elevated and resting for the last few hours - so I'm going to my primary care's urgent care first thing in the morning.

Just feeling SO BUMMED because I feel like it means I can't get on my bike before the first training ride. Also bummed because it just hurts like hades!

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your feedback.

[jessmarimba]

I know how ya feel. I was supposed to run a half marathon in two weeks, and I can't even walk right now. Or bike. But if they can fix it right the first time, you might be able to bike again a lot faster. After an hour of work this morning, I can *almost* walk normally on flat surfaces.

Does your state allow PT without a prescription? Do you have someone you've gone to for injuries in the past? (CO lets you skip the step of going to a PCP that might not be very good with sports injuries, which saved me some money and a week or two of waiting for appointments to open up. But I'm pretty well known at my PT office anyway).

[goride]

Until you see your doctor, ice might give you some relief. I believe the current recommendation is 15-20 minutes of every hour. Put something (a washcloth, towel, or layer of clothing) between your skin and the ice to prevent tissue damage. I am not a medical professional, but had knee surgery about a year and a half ago. Ice is still my friend.

[gabriellesca]

I do have a PT - thought I haven't seen him in years and typically see him for my ankle injury. But I have been icing and as long as I keep up on my Ibu it feels okay - which might be bad because I'm still dreaming of getting on my bike in the morning instead of a doctor's visit. I'll see how it feels and I know I can go to my urgent care center if it hurts after the ride.

Its so frustrating when our bodies hold us back from doing what we want - which, as I get older and heavier, happens more and more often.

Thanks - and sorry others are battling their own injuries.