My aging knees?

[JLD]

Requesting input and opinion...I am not sure what to make of it. I've had my latest bike 3 years now--gone thru 3 seats to fit properly....I noted at the end of 30kms each day on the week-end--I could feel strain thru the Top of my knees-a little on each side-mostly where I think muscle is drawing on the bones. Standing up and such--no such discomfort. After sitting down and Trying to stand up--same momentary owie.................so..............could it be the displacement on the latest seat is just off enough I am straining the knees--or--perhaps the post has wiggled a tad too low or perhaps too high--and that is the culprit?...........Or simply I am deconditioned?

[Blueberry]

Don't know the answer - but in my most recent doc visit - I mentioned pain behind the knee cap. His answer was that that's most likely deconditioning. He said to worry if the pain is on the side of the kneecaps b/c there's soft tissue that might be being damaged....

So...might be worth getting someone to look at your fit (I've done that, and I'm good to go...) to make sure that your knees line up correctly with the pedals, etc.

Good luck!

[TsPoet]

Look up ITBS and see if your symptoms match. Even if it isn't, maybe sight-specific stretching will help? I've had chronic knee pain for years, and I've recently been going to a PT, after seeing the doc and having the x-rays. Bottom line - stretching has helped immeasurably, and I think might help regardless of the etiology.
An example specific stretch:
lie on flat on your back, pull your knee up to you chest then gently rotate the leg into the body. You should feel the stretch on the outside of the knee.

Sue

[VenusdeVelo]

Could be lots of things, do suggest another fit adjustment now that you have ridden a while and see symptoms of the fit. Generally tops of knees means you are under-extending - I had the same problem, the tops of my knees were hurting walking up the stairs after rides (esp after a winter of indoor riding where you cann't move around much) and I raised the seat a couple of millimeters and it helped considerably.

Just one idea though, you should see about another adjustment, it's common to do once you've ridden and your body adjusts. This is barring other factors but just conditioning shouldn't cause that kind of pain provided you did not have really bad knees to begin with.

[Nanci]

ITB is what came to mind for me, too. Are your cleats set so your toes point in? Can you set them to point your toes straight ahead?

Nanci

[ridebikeme]

I would definitely take the advice and get a fit done by your LBS. As someone who will someday have a knee replacement and has had MANY knee surgeries I've also completed many fits at a shop... it's definitely worth the money and effort! There are many pieces to the puzzle, as some of the others have mentioned, and others that are still outthere. Often times, many saddles(womens specific) the rails are too short, and you can not be lined up in the manner that yuo ought to be... so definitely get it checked. We'll all be anxious to hear your results.

[JLD]

MUCH thanx for all the tips and suggestions posted to my questions! I will go and get a tech to check out my fit and see if some small changes there aren't in order.

[RoadRaven]

The one thing I have heard from my partner, and the group he trains with is that with knee pain from cycling, don't go to a doctor because they will almost always give bad advice. If you go to a doctor - go to a sports specialist who KNOWS about cycling injuries.

However, that being said, make sure your seat is at the right height and angle, and that your pedals/cleats are at the right angle.

The other thing is that one leg may be a fraction longer than the other

My partner just wandered by, and suggested you go to "high sierra" cycling on the net, and check out a guy called Tom who apparently does alot of work with knee pain... putting spacers undercleats to even up legs etc...

http://www.hscycle.com/

My partner says he found him very good to deal with (even though via the net and half a world away). my partner reckons if you live in America and fancy a visit there it would be well worth it.