Bought some Speed Play peddals and new shoes today!

[spazzdog]

KSH... well you've got me flummoxed with that knee pain of yours.

Ladies, I think we need video. I'd be really interested to see your position as you pedal, both spinning and mashing.

Another hmmm?? I wonder if your knee thing is due to an over tight ITB (illio tibial band)? Please excuse spelling... I haven't eaten yet

But you said you don't suffer the effect with your running, right? OK, make that vid of both your running and your cycling...

Who lives near KSH and has a camera?? Emergency movement analysis!!!

spazz (whose brain is really working this one)

[Technotart]

LOL!!!! Well I live nearby and have a camera - honestly - I didnt see that she does anything different on the bike than walking - but running I dont know about.

IT Band is a thought - especially since its on one side only. There are some great exercises and myofacial release that can done in the comfort of your own home for the IT - I think the the one that helped me the most though was the big foam roller - You put it on the floor and roll rour IT back and forth over it (And your low back, your glutes and your legs...you get the idea... here's a few pics in case you can't visualize it

http://www.optp.com/shop.cfm?groupid...Foam%20Rollers

I have seen these rollers for as little as 11.00!

And you do have to replace them every so often because they tend to get flat on one side or another. The kind with core in the middle don't have to be replaced as often.

Michelle

[emily_in_nc]

KSH, have you been to a doctor about your knee? When I had outer left knee pain a few years ago, I went to a sports med. doctor and found out that I had ITB syndrome. He referred me to a physical therapist, and it took just one visit to learn stretches to prevent a recurrence of this. I was also told the following (good advice for anyone with acute ITB issues):

1) lower my saddle slightly to decrease stretch of the ITB
2) use lower/easier gears and spin, spin, spin
3) avoid hilly rides and limit mileage on all rides.

I had to do all of the above in addition to daily ITB stretches for a couple of months (plus daily stretches) before I was 100% healed. After healed, I just did the stretches - but I did end up leaving my saddle a bit lower than recommended. I have not had a recurrence.

For anyone interested in ITB syndrome, here's a good website with info:

http://www.csuchico.edu/phed/atc/Pro...and/ITBFS.html

Or go directly to the stretching page:

http://www.csuchico.edu/phed/atc/Pro...tretching.html

By the way, I was using Speedplay X-2 pedals when I got the ITB syndrome. They are not the cure-all for that. But I was able to use them just fine after I healed. The ITB problems cropped up after I did three centuries in four weeks; just too much of a mileage increase for this old gal, I guess!

Emily

[Technotart]

AWESOME info!

What the rollers do is stretch the IT and release any sticking points. You can't just do the rollers alone though, it takes the exercises and stretches like you posted to really get them loosened up.

One activity that is REALLY great for IT if you have access to it is a yoga class.

[KSH]

WOW! Thanks for all the great advice! I really do appreciate it!

Yes, the knee pain is baffling and frustrating... and really worrying me!

I have been running for years (never very serious running... just a few miles a week)... and I have NEVER had knee pain! Then, I get this bike... and BAM... I get serious knee issues. Of course, it took around 300 miles on the bike, and many spin classes at the gym for it all to crop up.

As far as going to a doctor... unfortunately, my deductable on my insurance is $500, and I am really broke. So, I can't go to one. Which is what I probably need to do... I know.

Then, I have the MS150 this coming weekend, in 5 days! My plan is to stay around 12 MPH, wear knee supports, and stop at every rest stop. I can ususally hang for a good 20 miles until it gets accute. So, maybe I can keep it at bay if I take it real easy the whole way.

I also hope that taking this week off from exercise will help too. Unfortunately though, I have a triathlon I want to do June 18... and this is cutting into my training time.

Finally... I don't know how far I want to go with all this... how much money I want to spend to see if I can even keep riding... or to help my knee pain when riding. At what point do I just give up and sell the bike? I am just so scared that I am doing permanent damange to my knees... and I have always had good knees. The last thing I want to do is screw my knees up on this bike. It's just not worth it to me.

This is all so frustrating and disappointing.

[KSH]

Ok... I read about the ITB Syndrome... and that is NOT my problem.

I get accute pain on the INSIDE of my knee.

It starts from behind... and then works it way to the inside of the knee. In fact, the outside of my knee is just fine.

[joyrider]

Sorry to hear of your frustration - you know we are all rooting for you! - for your ride in the MS150 and beyond... I know how hard it is when you're really psyched up for something... and then a monkeywrench gets thrown in... trust me, I'm not very patient with this stuff either!
Anyway, I encourage you to scrape some money together when you can to go to see a good orthropedic or sports medicine doc. You know, it can take so long to get in with those folks, it might be worth your while to start exploring your options now! Especially since you're going to be paying for a good chunk of it, you want to be at least reasonably assured that your money is going to HELP YOUR KNEE PAIN. The one suggestion I can make if you do go that route is to check out the doc to make sure he/she is experienced with dealing with cycling related injuries and cyclists.

[spazzdog]

ACL strain perhaps that's radiating toward the medial retinacular fibers? A minor MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injury? (jeez, sometimes I scare myself)

The latter could speak to a possible adjustment on the pedal cleat to achieve a more natural alignment... something comparable to the position your footstrike is when you run since the MCL controls or restrains external twisting of the tibia. Your cleats do not have to "match" in position on the shoe. The cleat needs to be under the ball of the foot, BUT the angle of the cleat should be as natural as possible (IMHO).

In my case, I had to do this on my cleats for the following reasons:

• i have a full size differential in shoes
• i toe in from the knee/hip
• i am a midfoot to toe striker when i run

When I reset my cleats I let my foot hang naturally onto the pedal and placed the cleat. No more pain.

spazz (who ain't no doctor but has sure spent a lot of time with 'em)