Worried about Knees

My knees have been aching for about 9 days now and it doesn't show signs of getting any better. At first I thought maybe I was mashing too much on a bike ride before this happened and after a couple of days I'd start to feel better. But after 9 days I feel a touch better but not any significant improvement. I'm starting to wonder if it could be the dreaded Chondromalacia.
It is both knees that feel this way though the left feels a tad worse. I haven't ridden at all in 9 days hoping that would help (no exercising either...) and I'm starting to go through biking withdrawal :(.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Has anyone else had this experience? I am planning on calling an Ortho doc tomorrow to see if I can get in the next day or two.

Where, specifically, does it hurt?

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Where, specifically, does it hurt?

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It's kinda generalized around the front of the knee. I guess maybe around the kneecap? I feel it when going up stairs. Also I feel some tightness when flexing the knee. It's not like sharp pains or anything. Just a constant ache.

Is your saddle high enough? If it was a saddle height issue I'd think it'd go away after 9 days off the bike. Front of the knee hurting is the classic indication that your saddle is too low. My entirely inexpert opinion is stay off the bike and walk a lot (where "a lot" is determined by what is comfortable, don't injure it worse by walking too much).

I'd expect it to be worse going downstairs, though, if it were a saddle height/kneecap tracking thing.

I've had mine take longer than that to resolve, a couple of times. Are your knees swollen? A little puffy between the kneecap and the tibia?

The good news about "chondromalacia" aka patellofemoral syndrome is that with good knee alignment on your bike (seat height for sure, but also cleat alignment and crankarm length) and some guidance on strengthening the right muscles, you should be fine. The ortho won't want to know you since it's totally non-surgical - get a referral for PT, find a good one, get a good bike fit, heal up quick. :)

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Originally Posted by Melalvai

Is your saddle high enough? If it was a saddle height issue I'd think it'd go away after 9 days off the bike. Front of the knee hurting is the classic indication that your saddle is too low. My entirely inexpert opinion is stay off the bike and walk a lot (where "a lot" is determined by what is comfortable, don't injure it worse by walking too much).

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I was professionally fit and I've been riding all spring/summer and just experienced this recently. If my saddle was too low, wouldn't this issue have come up earlier? :confused:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I'd expect it to be worse going downstairs, though, if it were a saddle height/kneecap tracking thing.

I've had mine take longer than that to resolve, a couple of times. Are your knees swollen? A little puffy between the kneecap and the tibia?

The good news about "chondromalacia" aka patellofemoral syndrome is that with good knee alignment on your bike (seat height for sure, but also cleat alignment and crankarm length) and some guidance on strengthening the right muscles, you should be fine. The ortho won't want to know you since it's totally non-surgical - get a referral for PT, find a good one, get a good bike fit, heal up quick. :)

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No, my knees are not swollen. You really think I should just go to a PT first without any kind of diagnosis? I though an Ortho would help with that? Or would the PT be able to diagnose?

Check your cleat bolts?

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Originally Posted by Zippinalong

No, my knees are not swollen. You really think I should just go to a PT first without any kind of diagnosis? I though an Ortho would help with that? Or would the PT be able to diagnose?

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It depends on your state and your insurance. Usually you do have to go to a MD/DO/DC before you can see a PT ... that's why I suggested getting a referral.


But generally .... if a problem crops up suddenly, I look at the last thing that changed; and I like to look at cheap and easy first. That's why I suggested cleat bolts. And seatpost clamp bolt (use a torque wrench if post or frame is carbon)...

Check your seat height (did you write down your measurements after your fitting?). You never know, after all those miles, your seatpost may have slipped.

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Originally Posted by Zippinalong

I was professionally fit and I've been riding all spring/summer and just experienced this recently. If my saddle was too low, wouldn't this issue have come up earlier? :confused:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I'd expect it to be worse going downstairs, though, if it were a saddle height/kneecap tracking thing.

I've had mine take longer than that to resolve, a couple of times. Are your knees swollen? A little puffy between the kneecap and the tibia?

The good news about "chondromalacia" aka patellofemoral syndrome is that with good knee alignment on your bike (seat height for sure, but also cleat alignment and crankarm length) and some guidance on strengthening the right muscles, you should be fine. The ortho won't want to know you since it's totally non-surgical - get a referral for PT, find a good one, get a good bike fit, heal up quick. :)

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When my knee hurt, I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who diagnosed the problem and wrote me an Rx for physical therapy. I went back to the doctor for several follow up visits. I never felt that he had no interest in helping me due to the low probability of needing surgery.

I get sore knees like that when my seat is too far forward, but it doesn't happen suddenly. Hope you find the problem. :)

Thanks all for your kind suggestions. You may be right about the seat. I think I'll take the bike back to the LBS and have them recheck everything (I never did mark the original placement so bad on me). I do have clips so maybe an adjustment needs to be made there too.
Ok, will call the Ortho today and start from there.

Most fitters will mark your bike in case that anything anything moves you can see it.

I'll take a look and see if I see anything. Good suggestion.....

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Originally Posted by bellissima

Most fitters will mark your bike in case that anything anything moves you can see it.

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I've had several fittings with different fitters. None have marked my bike. They do, however, write down all the measurements. One emailed me with all the details; the other I can call.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

I've had several fittings with different fitters. None have marked my bike. They do, however, write down all the measurements. One emailed me with all the details; the other I can call.

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This is my experience as well.

it also could be something as simple as needing to strengthen your quads and working on your pedal stroke. A simple isometric quad exercise - stand with your feet shoulder length apart, lift one foot of the ground, bending the knee 90 degrees. keep other foot flat on the ground, do gentle knee bends - not deep for 3 minutes, switch legs and repeat.

for balance touch the wall with 1 finger - do not lean on the wall just use it for balance. It took me awhile to work up to 3 minutes per leg but it really helped my knees - this is an exercise I got from a PT and an ortho is not going to give you much advice and is just going to cost money.