Doctor's Visit

[Veronica]

V, during my last visit and round of Xrays my doctor used the term "arthritic change". I think that must be like "perimenopause". Almost, but not quite.

(My back is still bugging me from my cleat issue almost 2 years ago. But he says it's "arthritic change". Having it relate to some activity is so much more dramatic and glamorous.)

Yeah, she mentioned the "a" word. So far, yoga cycling has been keeping the upper back pain at bay. That's what I call it when I feel myself tensing up in my upper back. I think about relaxing and it's working. But I've only done 40 miles or so at a pop since my last brevet. Sunday will be the real test for yoga cycling.

V.

[Di bear]

Generally, Baker's cysts don't hurt (I do ultrasound and none of my patients have had a painful cyst). They'll look behind your knee, where they form. If you do have a Baker's cyst, then arthritis is a huge possibility. I was actually able to find the source of a Baker's cyst to the joint on one patient, which is miraculous, because the leg tissues surrounding the knee aren't very ultrasound friendly, with the exception of an area on the back of the knee (there's a lot we can't see through with ultrasound, so we have to find "windows").

WHERE is your knee pain?

I have tight IT bands and I have to do stretches quite regularly to keep the pain down. I was have knee pain, mostly on the front side. I was told this is because the IT band was pulling the patella out of alignment. Ouch. The stretches have helped tremendously.

I put my routine on my blog if you want to check it out: Cycling + Pain + Yoga = Happy Cyclist

A reputable chiropractor might be able to get you back on track as well (they're not just for backs!).

[Veronica]

My pain is on the back of the knee, kind of in the middle and towards the inside.

V.