Will getting clipped in help my knees?

[joyrider]

I really got restarted cycling about six weeks ago - been building up VERY SLOWLY. Saw a sports med doc early on to talk about the crunching sound in my knees (had that since my two pregnancies) and how to protect my knees during riding. She did an xray, said everything looked fine except that my kneecaps track on the outside, common in women, not a major defect but what she described as a "setup for pain". So I've been going along okay, working on keeping a higher cadence, etc. noticing a little knee tweakiness after riding, plus additional achiness going up steps.
And then I decided it was time to start working on hills a little! Well, I would call them hills; you folks would probably call them "slight rises" or "bumps". So I did that two days in a row, both rides less than an hour long, and now the knees feel REALLY hinky. Esp. the left, with stinging, pain, sore to the touch. Been resting for two days, icing, off my bike and in a snit about it. Have an appointment with the sports med doc this Friday. I'm afraid she's going to tell me to lay off riding!
So I thought I'd bring this issue to the people I consider to be the REAL experts! Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any feedback would be appreciated!

[Jennifer Gallow]

Sounds like chondromalacia, that's what keeps me from running and why I found cycling (crikey I wish I found cycling sooner -- it's so much more fun for me than running!). My knees were well past the crunching stage into very painful catching and locking. I couldn't walk 15 steps without ending up in tears. The cycling and certain leg excercises were recommended -- two cousins are physical therapists, handy don't you know! -- and the difference was noticable almost right away. (the point being to strengthen the proper muscles to force the kneecap to track properly).

I found the clipless pedals did help -- Speedplay X series are very highly recommended for that particular knee ailment, and I agree, I love them -- as did making sure I wasn't pushing too hard a gear. Even now, if I take a hill too hard my knees feel it first. I also have to make sure I don't monkey around with saddle position too much ... too high or too low is tough on my knees too, and even too far forward or back.

But thats just my situation ... I'm not qualified to offer medical advice (if I was maybe I wouldn't be such a wreck all the time!). I just know that worked for me. I'm sure there are more knowledgable people who can chime in.

[SadieKate]

Yep, chondromalacia for me also. 4 knee operations when I fell backpacking and turned a chronic problem into acute with a tear on my kneecap. Did your doc talk to you about prescription orthotics? These can help align your knees. Without these, I wouldn't be doing anything active. Might be worth a little research. If you go this route, be sure to find a sports med podiatrist who works with cyclists so that he/she can fit the orthotic in your cycling shoe.

Clipless pedals help because I can pull up. The pushing down for hills can be a killer and strength is a critical factor.

Chrondromalacia for me means no tennis or volleyball any longer.

[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!

[fixedgeargirl]

MSM may help with the chronic pain, too. I started taking it after reading a pamphlet from a natural grocery store which discussed studies done on MSM and osteoarthritis pain. In a nutshell, most people quit analgesics once they began taking 500mg. per day.

A daily dull ache was creeping into my left knee, which underwent ACL reconstruction last year. I saw quick relief once I started on MSM, in addition to glucosamine, and can feel it when I haven't had my dose.

[spazzdog]

I took glucosamine and MSM for my knees when I was marathon training. Dropped the chondroitin.

Glucosamine comes as a sulfate and a hydrochloride (HCI). So beware of shellfish allergies AND issues with sulfates.

The combo of glucosamine and MSM worked great for me back then. If I run into problems while cycling I'd do it again.

Oh, one other thing... not sure if anyone here experienced this but me and a few others I know got a bit, er... "tooty" on the MSM. It went away after about a week on the combo.

[MomOnBike]

OK, the brain is not working. What is MSM? And where does one get it?

MomOffBike (deadlines, bah!)

[Bike Goddess]

I have degenerative arthritis in my knees. That said- I take MSM, Glucosamiine (no chondraitin as it comes from sharks and I am a vegetarian) and Calcium (EZorb)supplements which I purchase in powder form on the internet. (For those of you who don't know-look up MSM on internet. Easier that way than to try to explain here!)

When I first started taking this stuff, my knees were swollen and I couldn't walk far without a walking stick.

I started cycling as I couldn't run anymore. That was July 2003. I learned how to clip in on my new road bike in September of 03. The rest is history- lost 25-30lbs, have cycled thousands of miles, and am currently training to do the SF/LA AIDS ride in June. AND no walking stick!

Yes, clipping in helps. Yes, I think all this other stuff I take helps too!. Exercise is just plain good for your health!

Can you ride with a local club? Or friends? I find a schedule helps get me out for long rides and I like the social aspects of riding with others.

Good luck, let us know your progress!

[joyrider]

I've been taking the glucosamine/chondri-something for about two weeks and what a difference! Knee problem? What knee problem?
I even worry that what's happening is that the supplements are "masking" my knee pain and what I'm doing now is just grinding the crap out of my cartilage while under the influence of powerful painkillers...
Still going to get clipped in - probably taking the plunge early next week. Got the shoes. Got the spandex. Can't wait but afraid of falling!