uneven saddle pain

[Miranda]

I have been on the saddle search. I am starting to think that my pain might be my body now, and not the saddles. But, I will seek the wisdom here.

My left side hurts. It's right about where the glutt crease closes into the back part of the woman hood. Today, I checked if the saddle slide over to the left in the mount clamp. I pushed it over as far as it could go to the right. Still same pain.

I had a PT & PTdoc tell me once that I carry myself differently because of some back issues and curvature of the spine. I wonder if my parts aren't just even on the saddle? Also, from having big babies, I had some pelvic prolapse repair surgeries. That has given me some funky scar tissue. I go the gyno next month, and will ask about it too.

I didn't notice these things are my orginal painful saddle. There, I just basically rode all of my soft tissue. Versus just one spot. Ugh.

How do you even adjust the saddle to get rid of one ill spot?

[melissam]

Hi Miranda,

You certainly have my sympathy!

It may be that you're sitting in a way to accommodate the curvature in your spine. I know that I sit off to the left to accommodate a short left leg. When I go for longer rides, this causes issues (back pain, hip pain, hamstring/calf pain, and some lovely saddle sores on my right side.)

One saddle adjustment I do is to turn the saddle slightly towards the left.

I'm wondering if you'll have to correct this using a different way than saddle adjustment. For example, I have had some success in the past by shimming the cleat on my short leg. Cleat placement can also help to accommodate leg length discrepancies (which you may have due to your spinal curvature.)

Of course, getting any of these adjustments wrong can lead to additional pain. Is there a fit expert in your area that can watch you ride and help you make the proper adjustments?

- Melissa

[Miranda]

Hi Miranda,

You certainly have my sympathy!

It may be that you're sitting in a way to accommodate the curvature in your spine. I know that I sit off to the left to accommodate a short left leg. When I go for longer rides, this causes issues (back pain, hip pain, hamstring/calf pain, and some lovely saddle sores on my right side.)

One saddle adjustment I do is to turn the saddle slightly towards the left.

I'm wondering if you'll have to correct this using a different way than saddle adjustment. For example, I have had some success in the past by shimming the cleat on my short leg. Cleat placement can also help to accommodate leg length discrepancies (which you may have due to your spinal curvature.)

Of course, getting any of these adjustments wrong can lead to additional pain. Is there a fit expert in your area that can watch you ride and help you make the proper adjustments?

- Melissa

Thx for responding. The right, where everything pulls to with the spine curve, has caused me pain issues in the knee etc. The PT this winter released some fashia all the way up through my hip flexors to aid with this problem. It's AMAZING how one thing being off can affect everything else. I don't know if that leg pedals differently, and then doing as you say, makes me shift onto my left, thus the pain. It would make sense. Here in Mayberry with our few small lbs, we have one guy that does a paid pro fitting. I've had an appointment with him in the past and had to cancel. I was trying to wait it out until I found a saddle that I thought worked (like wide enough etc.). But, maybe I need more than that and should re-vist the idea sooner than later.

[melissam]

Hey Miranda,

I definitely hear you about how one thing being off affects so many other things. It's a very personal example of the Domino Effect!

Can you videotape yourself while riding a trainer and take a look? Or maybe just pay close attention to how you sit when you're on the saddle. See if you sit squarely on the saddle, or if you're off to the side. Watch how close each knee is to the top tube when you pedal. See if the knees stay straight as you pedal. All these things can tip you off to funky posture, which may explain why you're sore.

Check with the Mayberry Man about the fitting! Where's the closest Bright Lights, Big City? Maybe there's a fitter out there that comes with the Seal of Approval from another TEer? Could be an excuse for a road trip!!

Good luck on getting this straightened out. (Yes, the corny pun was kinda intended.)

- Melissa

[RoadRaven]

Hi Miranda,
One saddle adjustment I do is to turn the saddle slightly towards the left.

I do the same thing, Melissa. Only slightly - maybe just over 1/2cm... But it makes a huge difference...

Good luck with finding the best position, Miranda