Advice for quad injury, pls & thank-u

To whomever can recommend possible treatment for the following injury, I would be very grateful.

Problem is: got hit by a car whilst on my bike Oct 2004. SPent all winter in physio/chiro/ultrasound. 1-leg squats & many exercises to strengthen my left side. Started bike training in spring. All was fine for 6 weeks, then swelling started on & around right knee, it got increasingly worse. Adjusted seat, pedals, clips,. bike position... nothing, just swelling.

Was diagnosed at Sports Medicine clinic as having “runners knee” ,took anti-inflammatories & iced the knee. Doctor there recommended strictly touring, and to completely stop serious riding. Coach sent me for 2nd opinion to a physiotherapist who said same thing + suggested since still swelling (after following above recommendations with no progress), must be arthritis added to the mix. There, a kinesiologist gave me strengthening exercises for knee. Both doctors suggested physio, but a friend who is a nurse talked me out of it, so I only did exercises & ice. Have had x-rays (nothing broken), but no MRI.

Finally now, am receiving treatment, not only because Im stir crazy after gaining 12 lbs, but there is no change in my condition whether I am on my road bike wearing my road shoes, on my mountain bike wearing my running shoes, or simply walking or sitting for extended periods of time. Still same symptoms, but no pain (yet). THe physiotherapist at this 3rd clinic said that I injured the quad, and problem had to do with trigger points. He pointed out that my right quad was not able to keep up with the left one I spent all winter working on, and, the result, i.e., the nerve endings at my knee were provoking the swelling. So Ive received 6 weeks of ultra sound and these electrode/prickling things and I have been strengthening the injured area with what seems to be all the same exercises that I did on the other leg when I got knocked off my bike last year.

At this point I just want to heal properly so I can resume training and hopefully racing. Recently I have been recommended an Oesteopath. I have read up on them, but am unsure if this is the route I should follow. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations that anyone has on this matter. Cheers…

I wish I had some helpful information to give you, but I haven't come anywhere close to your (bad) experience.

It sounds like you are going to a sports medicine clinic now - is the person you are working with knowledgeable about cycling? If not - if it were me I'd look for a physical therapist who has an interest in and knowledge of cycling.

I wonder if an organization like Carmichael Training Systems might be able to hook you up with a coach who has a background in physical therapy or exercise science in addition to coaching for cycling improvement. Based on your description it's probably too soon for something like this, but might be worth a thought for the future.

Sending healing thoughts your way...

--- Denise

I wish I had a black and white answer for you. Maybe you should consider a MRI. At least that way you can rule any problems out. I just had an MRI/w contrast done yesterday. The doctor injected dye into the knee area so if there is any tears the dye will leak threw. I've also become a big advicate of stretching because one of the issues I was having with my knee was because my hamstrings were so tight. Along with stretching i've also have had to work on my posture. All these things have actually taken a lot of the pressure off my knee and my knee is getting better-slowly but surely.
I've also been working with my coach-one of the best around-and we have changed to a zero float pedal(not for everybody) because my knees swim around alot. However, I haven't been able to ride my bike yet so I haven't been able to test the changes we've made. I've heard of a lot of people who have changed to a different pedal system, w/ or w/out float, and that took care of their knee issues. Sorry i'm not much help. Hope you come up with a solution soon.

so when do you get your results go??

Tomorrow. And I don't know what to hope for.

Ladies, I thank you for your rapid responses to my queries. I had tried seeking advice on mostly male forums with not to much feedback...Thank you for your words of encouragement as well....I will see how fast my Physiotherapist can schedule an MRI....cheers....