Odd knee pain from cycling

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With cycling season upon us, I desperately need some help here. On Sunday, I did a 50 mile ride with no real issues, other than it was my 3rd ride of the season and it's always a little rough getting my cycling legs back into the swing of things early on in the season. It was also very windy on Sunday (30mph gusts), so that definitely played a factor in my overall performance. On Monday, I did a 25 mile ride...wind was slightly less, but about 3 miles into the ride I developed a fairly significant pain in my right knee/shin area. Took some ibuprofen and iced it, hoping for the best. On Tuesday morning, I was at the gym doing my normal routine - ran 35 minutes on the treadmill, 30 minutes on the elliptical, and then planned on doing a 45 minute spin class. No pain during the run or other cardio, but as soon as I started the spin class...the pain set in again...with a vengeance! Out of the saddle was worse, so I figured I would just stay seated for the entire class. But within 5 minutes of being seated, the pain got so bad that it nearly brought me to tears. For the first time ever, I had to walk out of my favorite spin class...I was so disappointed and frustrated! I felt the pain primarily on the down stroke...originating just below the knee (right around the tibial tuberosity) and extending down to about the middle of the shin. It felt like a searing pain. Once I stopped pedaling, the pain disappears and I can walk/run normally...which is what is SO confusing about all of this. On my road bike, I use a large platform pedal (Time RXS), with sufficient float and have been using these pedals for nearly 2 seasons...so I don't think it's a pedal issue. On the spin bike, I wear MTB shoes with SPD cleats...been using them for years with no real problems. I am just baffled by this seemingly "out of the blue" pain...and I'm genuinely concerned that it will affect my riding season. Any ideas on what I could possibly be dealing with here? Thank you all!!!

Linda

[KnottedYet]

Knee derangement.

Can you go to PT? It's a temporary problem, and usually fairly simple to fix once someone who knows what's going on gets a chance to work with you and find the corrective motion your particular knee needs.

Sometimes they fix themselves, but it's nice to know how to manage it so if it comes up again you can nip it in the bud on your own.

I'd suggest a Certified MDT or Diplomate MDT, they are PT's who have done a few years extra study and clinical education beyond the PT degree.

Sheri Lake PT, Dip MDT is in Chicago, 773-275-3200. (she's one of only 9 Dip MDT's in Illinois) If she's too far from you, I'm sure she could recommend a Cert MDT (lots of those around) or Dip MDT (there are a couple more in the Chicago area) closer to you.

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As usual...thank you Knotted!!! I knew if there was anyone out there with some idea of what this pain could be...it would be YOU! I will look up MDT's in my area. Thanks again!

Linda