My knees are killing me...

[violette]

I went on a 70km bike ride on Sunday. I've been riding for about 5 yrs, doing longer rides with hills, shorter rides without hills. About half way through the ride, my knees started throbing, and I mean pain!!! This has never happened to me before and I didn't do or change anything in my ride, seat same height, same shoes... What is wrong???

[beccaB]

Which part of your knee hurts and is there swelling? That might make a difference if it's cartilage or connective tissue.

[Andrea]

I get pain under my patella occasionally on long rides. I usually try to scoot my butt back on the saddle a little bit then take an anti-inflammatory when I get home if it's still hurting.

[violette]

It's below my knee cap and travels behind my leg, behing the knee.

[Aggie_Ama]

I get pain and swelling of the knees on most rides. Having a good bike fit is key, I really hated riding before I got my bike re-fit. Still I do have problems with the knees but not as severe. Mine stems from prior injury from bowling competitively and running.

For the swelling I take 4 ibuprofen, this dosage was recommended by my doctor. I would definitely consult yours before popping that much ibuprofen! Otherwise scooting back on the saddle does provide minor relief, sometimes I just get too far up on mine and that is not how my bike was fitted for me.

[beccaB]

It's below my knee cap and travels behind my leg, behing the knee.

Do you have your seat high enough or too low? Maybe you could have your local bike shop look at you on your bike. Typically if the seat is too low there's pain in the front of the knee, and too high results in pain in the back of the knee, but that is a broad generalization.

[violette]

That is what I was thinking. My seat feels lower than before but I thought it was just my imagination. I'll adjust it tonight and see what happens. Thanks