Thank you all for your feedback!

OKay...lets see if I can answer all of the comments questions...

1. Feet: I have seen a podiatrist. They diagnosed me with nerve neuromas in the ball of my feet. And, gave me shots in my feet to try to calm them. This has worked about 80%. (thank goodness!) Feet are largely addressed. Occasionally though, I get numbness/pain in the ball of my feet (like I used to when I was walking) when I am peddling. Despite the fact that I really try to focus on not only the pedal push down, but the stroke up/having heel down---this continues to be a problem sometimes

2. As for perfectly aligned pedals/cleats...do you have any advice on this? I use light action speed plays. (My first, and only cleats/clip pedals). They are free floating. However, sometimes I wish the position could move further back on my foot (they're as far back as they go)...but...I'm not really sure where they are supposed to be. It seems to all be guess work? Any positions you have found particularly helpful for knee pain?

3. Cranks: How do you know what the right length is for you??

4. My PT has never seen me on a bike. How did you guys find PTs that know a lot about cycling? I have been fit on my bike. So, presumably, the seat height is good. The fitter also noticed that I rolled my knee out a bit with my stroke, which I have been trying to correct. He also noticed that I rock my hips a lot when I ride, despite having the right saddle height. Go figure.

5. I do need to learn taping. The J brace I have is good, but it is cumbersome, and makes it difficult to keep my knee bent for any length of time (thus making wearing it anywhere when I won't be constantly walking pretty much impossible).

6. As far as running gait---I don't even have a running gait at this point. I can't run. I can't even walk right. I'm trying to re-learn how to do that. I have done so many adjustments subtly to try to ease pain, that I have majorly screwed myself up.

7. I need to learn to not lock my knees. I am trying. It is hard.

8. Things I'm doing with my PT: muscle strengthening exercises for the muscles above the knee/inside the knee. Apparently, these are not muscles you develop with cycling. (And, since I haven't been able to walk more than about 15 minutes without intense pain, and I definitely can't run anymore---I was way lopsided. So, lots of half-leg lifts, balance exercises, stability exercises, etc. I can be more detailed about these muscle exercises if desired.


Thank you all again, as always for your feedback! (and taking time to read my lengthy, rambly posts!