Will getting clipped in help my knees?

[joyrider]

As of now, I'm not riding with cycling shoes - but rather with a fairly stiff-soled running shoes with superfeet orthotics in them. And I guess I need to work harder with those exercises! My doc gave me a couple to do. But she wasn't all that informative when it came to protecting my knees while cycling - other than don't ride with your seat too low. If anyone can recommend a cycling-knowledgeable sports med doc in the South Bay, I'd love to hear about it!

[Susan126]

I would recommend getting a bike fit and orthotics. I had knee pain and a crackling right knee but after getting a bike fit and orthotics I've been pain free and no more crackling to boot!

[joyrider]

Saw my sports med doc on Friday. She said that with my knees, hills are going to give me pain. Period. She said I had arthritis in both knees, and she said she didn't like to tell me NOT to ride, but left the statement hanging, implying to me that if she could, she would. She said I just needed to do what I could to minimize "wear and tear" from here out, recommended glucosamine, and to keep up my exercises. Not very positive.
Argh! I really think it's my weight that makes docs think that the best I can hope for is to boogie down in water aerobics twice a week and to enjoy a full twenty minutes of chair stretching on Sundays.
Once we got talking, though, she said that getting fitted, losing weight, and getting clipped in all might help.
So I want to thank you folks again for being truly supportive. I know I can make this work. I think, though, that I need to switch to a solution oriented doctor.

[CorsairMac]

Keep us posted!!

[MomOnBike]

Joy,

Good for you, keeping the doc talking 'til there were more ideas about riding. I agree, getting a real fitting will probably help. Also, if you go clipless you can gear down and spin to give your knees a break. The idea is to reduce the pressure of each pedal stroke.

Go ahead and start taking glucosamine. But buy the glucosamine/chondroitin (sp?) supplements. The combination works much better than glucosamine alone. And give them time, it won't happen overnight, but your joints will start to feel better. Yes, that's what I take - the dog, too.

And don't give up on the water aerobics. Think of it as easy-on-the-joints cross-training.

MomOnBike (who really should get back in the pool and shape up the non-biking parts)

[CorsairMac]

Go ahead and start taking glucosamine. But buy the glucosamine/chondroitin (sp?) supplements. The combination works much better than glucosamine alone. And give them time, it won't happen overnight, but your joints will start to feel better. Yes, that's what I take - the dog, too.

MomOnBike (who really should get back in the pool and shape up the non-biking parts)

My turn to play mom now: just a word of warning, if you have a shellfish allergy, don't take glucosamine as it's made from shellfish.

Corsair "learned that the hard way" Mac

[Jennifer Gallow]

one more note -- Glucosamine is also in the Tangerine Emergen-C -- get your vitamin C at the same time!