Knee Osteoarthritis

[Catrin]

I am trying to decide how much attention to give this - I do have mild arthritis in one knee and there is some mild degeneration. My recent PT did tell me to not get too concerned about it, he thinks that as I regain my leg strength that the knee will calm back down. That makes sense to me, and he did spend some time examining my knee.

I had two glorious rides this weekend, and while there was no actual pain or discomfort, I was quite aware of a specific spot in the upper right portion of my right knee - it is difficult to describe but there was no pain, or throbbing, or warmth or anything like that. This is not the usual area that does hurt when my knee flares up. I did have two layers on my legs, I don't know if perhaps my knees might have been a little more constricted than normal. I have not felt this on the spinning bike at all.

I did focus on riding as steady of a pace as I could. I kept my cadence between 78-89 and as close to 84-85 as I could and made myself remember to downshift on the hills in the park to give my knee as much a break as possible. There didn't seem to be any difference in how the knee felt but it seemed a good idea.

There was no post-ride pain or discomfort - though my knee is cranky this morning it is in a different (usual) spot.

Any knee-friendly tips? I don't want to wind up injured again... I do wonder if not clipping in might be a problem for my knee.

[OakLeaf]

Tights or knee warmers can sometimes pull my kneecaps out of alignment. Hopefully that's all it was...

[KnottedYet]

Have you raised your saddle yet?

[Catrin]

Have you raised your saddle yet?

I think that it is about where it should be, we have been raising it over time. I am taking my current bike to the LBS Friday and will have them check my position. I thought about this yesterday and checked out my knee position in the down-stroke while I was riding and it looked pretty good but it is so hard to tell when I am riding.

Added: I now have an appointment with my fitter to check my saddle height.

Tights or knee warmers can sometimes pull my kneecaps out of alignment. Hopefully that's all it was...

I was wondering if this was possible, especially with both leg warmers and tights. The tights aren't THAT tight. I certainly have not noticed this same sensation in spinning class, and lately I've been putting extra time before class to work on endurance. My left knee was fine this weekend, while it also sounds like rice krispies it is in better shape...

[Catrin]

I went to spinning last night, and it certainly felt much better but there is still something going on with my knee. I think it is just one of my usual arthritis flares brought on by being insane enough last week to think that I could run a little and it should pass. It actually felt better after spinning than before - though I did take it a little easy.

However, given my propensity to ignore stuff I shouldn't, and remembering my protracted recovery period & not wanting a repeat of the fall - I've an appointment with my doctor to make certain that it isn't anything more than that. There is no instability, and the discomfort is minor - but it seems wise to check it out as it is now more than a week. I am currently treating it with good old RICE.

[Catrin]

I did go to the doctor, and for someone who doesn't run, I seem to have developed "Runners Knee" (chondromalacia). So no more running, but I do have permission to keep on riding and spinning whewww! I will, however, stay in the saddle during spinning class right now until things feel better. It will also help to regain my leg strength lost in my protracted recovery period - especially with the arthritis. The knee feels much better than even yesterday, but I am glad that I went and of course am doing what he suggested. Don't want a repeat of last fall...

[Bluetree]

Recent studies are showing that creatine may help. Also, try adding powdered glucosamine chondroitin MSM to your diet.

I use creatine-G/C/MSM-glutamine supplements daily and it has done wonders for my knees.

[Catrin]

My doctor prescribed glucosamine chondroitin complex (so I can use my flexible spending account on it) and Pennsaid (a NASID topical). The Pennsaid is having a pretty rapid effect, and I am taking the supplement as I should.

I have figured out that as long as I stay in the saddle in spinning class that my knee doesn't hurt - but I also know that my protracted recovery period led to a loss of strength in my calves/quads/hamstring muscle groups. I do not yet stand on my real bike - and as long as I use my BMX pedals I will never attempt that. Staying seated in spinning class will help regain my strength - thankfully, at least this has served well in the past.

[Bluetree]

Don't give up on G-C-MSM (must have the MSM!). It will take 1-2 months before you will start to feel it. I prefer the powdered kind because the tablets are like horse pills.

Also, try incorporating some lateral leg exercises. Cyclists are notorious for having weak adduction/abduction and the more muscle support you can give to your knees the better. Good luck.

[Catrin]

Don't give up on G-C-MSM (must have the MSM!). It will take 1-2 months before you will start to feel it. I prefer the powdered kind because the tablets are like horse pills.

Also, try incorporating some lateral leg exercises. Cyclists are notorious for having weak adduction/abduction and the more muscle support you can give to your knees the better. Good luck.

+1 on the lateral exercises, have recently been in PT for assorted hip/back/hammie issues and lateral exercises are now part of my workout routine. Thankfully I don't find the large pills a problem to swallow as long as I don't try to take both of them at the same time I actually don't know if the pills have the MSM, my Dr. prescribed it and the pharmacy put them in a regular prescription bottle. It is called Glucosamine Complex so will look it up under that name and see what is in it.

errrrr - WHAT is MSM?

[Bluetree]

WHAT is MSM?

Methylsulfonylmethane. It is often added to glucosamine-chondroitin to help with osteoarthritis. I find it costs the same whether it has MSM added or not. It makes a double whammy into a triple whammy for the same price.

[Catrin]

I am VERY happy to report that my knee now feels just like the other one Thursday night during spinning it just stopped hurting, Friday it felt even better. Yesterday, with all of the riding and hiking on gravel it SHOULD have bothered me but it felt better as the day wore on - and it feels great today.

Apparently the supporting structure is once again getting stronger to support it properly...whewwwwww!

Attempting to run is now permanently off of my list of possible activities - that is what caused this thing to flare more than a month ago! Thankfully it didn't cut back on cycling activities, but I was more cautious than I am known for...Back to ramping things back up slowly but surely!

I am still taking the glucosamine-chondroitin as I've multiple types of mild arthritis, when when I am out of what I have will find some with MSM as one of the ingredients.