knees

[Trekhawk]

Geez, Tuckerville, you sound like me! (that's probably what it is, arthritis.) mild pain relievers do help, but i HATE taking medication, so i generally do not. And yes, I've been known to take advil before a ride (and will on the two big rides I am planning later this month)

CA, yes, it's possible my seat needs tensioning. When Erik saw me last time he tightened it.

I have a doctor's appointment for later this month.

Carol, thanks for the good advice. GEEZ, 13 surgeries!

Hey Mimi let us know how you get on at the doctor.
Another tip for those pesky knees is to keep them covered unless its warmer than 70 degrees. I think I got this tip out of Andy Pruitt's book and adding it to all the other stuff about spinning up hills etc it seems to help in managing my knee pain.

[Biciclista]

Well, I am starting to suspect my saddle does need to be tensioned. (is that a verb?) the last two days I deliberately pushed back on the seat and i had less knee pain. maybe the saddle slumped pushing me too far forward?
I can't find our tensioner wrench, i might have to go to the LBS.

[sundial]

Mimi, what kind of pain are you having? Dull? Sharp? Intermittent?
Any redness, fever, or swelling in the joint?
Any stiffness off the bike?
Does it hurt after doing other activities, like walking?

You may be suffering from osteoarthritis. If that's the case the doctor will generally prescribe an anti-inflammatory (such as ibuprofen), elevating the knee, and applying a cold pack after exercise if there is swelling present. Generally, cycling is still recommended for diseased knees and the patient is usually counseled to exercise as tolerated. Swimming is the other option. Your doctor will probably prescribe a set of exercises to do in home as physical therapy or send you to a PT clinic for evaluation and treatment.

If you are having swelling in other joints, such as elbows, fingers, wrists, your doctor may check for auto-immune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.

I hope this helps. I've had several knee operations since in my teens and continue to follow recommendations of my ortho to cycle to keep the knee strong and to stabilize the joint.

[Biciclista]

Sundial, little or no swelling. achy, dull pain. not sharp, but increases with intensity. no redness.
stiff/sore while sitting or cycling up hills specifically, feel wonderful while walking.

no other joints swelling. You are giving me good news. I don't want to have to take anti inflammatories.

thanks for taking the time!

[sundial]

Are you stiff while sitting OFF the bike or are you saying you're stiff while ON the bike, before doing hills?

[Biciclista]

my job requires me to sit here on a computer all day.and yes, my knees bother me just sitting. It's better if i can straighten them, and my foot stool here helps a little too.
so the answer is BOTH sitting on butt at work and sitting on bike climbing.

[OakLeaf]

What about walking down stairs/hills?

Pain while sitting is a classic sign of patellofemoral issues - pain while descending on foot would reinforce that -