Will getting clipped in help my knees?

[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!

[joyrider]

Thank you all again for all of your incredible support!

[CorsairMac]

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!

Good for you Joy - sounds like you got the knee pain under control. And great good luck on your pedals - let us know how it goes. Like someone around here said - don't be afraind of falling - it'll probably happen so just accept it! I'm beginning to think it's a rite of passage - if someone tells you they've "never" fallen, they probably ain't using clipless! :-D

[spazzdog]

Hey joyrider; good to know you're doing well on the GLU/MSM combo.

I've had 2 scopes done on my left knee (1 to repair a dislocation and 1 that was supposed to be a torn meniscus; turned out to be a 70% surface fracture of the tibia). Needless to say, I've had chondromalachia for years.

I've found that certain exercises really help the tracking issue. Basically it invovles working all 4 of the quadraceps muscles and stretching the iliotibial band. If you cat "train the muscles" they will naturally keep the patella tracking correctly.

Let me know if you want the exercises (or you may already know this).

spazz (who's friends used to call her Festas)

[Bike Goddess]

Hey SD- Everything you say about cycling and nutrition (except for the meat part) is a mirror of what I believe as well. I wish I could cycle with YOU as well as the other great people I cycle with out here in Cali-for-nia!

I think you should be a coach- seriously.

[spazzdog]

Thanks BG... I like to coach, but I do it from the perspective of "them that can, do and them that can't, coach"

I've always been a mediocre athlete, but love all the sports I've participated in. Part of my MO is researching every teeny bit of a sport, so I end up with lots of info in my little pee-brain.

Having never been an "elite" athlete, I always come from the "common grrls" place of beginning at the bottom rather than the top.

It'd be nice to live out there where you can get more ride time in due to more cooperative weather. I know folks out here ride in the cold and the rain, but I just hate the stuff... so I wait for the warm days.

spazz

[Bike Goddess]

Well, SDog, I was thinkin that since you were lookin for some kind of monetary profession... fill in the rest!

I always say, find something you love and do that for a living!

[Susan126]

Let me know if you want the exercises (or you may already know this).

spazz (who's friends used to call her Festas)

Hey SD, could you pass along those exercises and stretches for the quads and iliotibial band. After a slacking winter I find my right knee and inner thigh tight this spring. I have started off easy and I am slowly building my strength and endurance back up to what it used to be like way back in October (before my winter hibernation began). This was the first winter that I did nothing. I'm ashamed of myself for allowing this to happen. Needless to say it will not happen this winter! But getting back in shape at (51) is not like it used to be at 31 or even 41!!!! But my legs do have "memory" and I find improvement daily!

Thanks . . . Sue