Back of knee pain

[bobb]

After Up the 'uts the back of my left knee started to feel sore. (bit hillier than I'm used to, plus I was working hard to keep up with whippet boy Erron all day!) I've been riding mostly fixed for much of the last year and I can only put it down to this as I've never had any persistent problems like this before. Sure I've had injuries playing various sports over the years, but said injuries would always go away after a week or so.

I'm 36 now, so I guess I can expect to get more niggles but this just won't go away. It kinda gets a bit better and then just comes back again. And to make it worse - after a weekend of quite a few miles, the back of my right knee is a bit sore too!

Of course, if it gets worse or continues, I'll go to the docs, but I thought I'd ask here as someone is bound to have experienced a similar thing.

I've thought about set up and gearing - the odd thing is that when I'm grinding uphill there's no pain. It's only when I'm spinning like crazy downhill that I can feel it.

FTR I ride 48x17 on 165 cranks. I have the saddle slightly lower than my other bikes for purposes of spinning.

Is there anything I can do? Is it just going to get worse or do I just grin and bear it?

Ta,

Rob.

[annie]

I suffered a similar pain on the left after doing a lot of uphill running.  It is fine whilst walking but as soon as I started to run again the pain returned.  I stopped running and had it checked out and received physiotherapy.  I am icing the knee at the moment and working on strengthening exercises.  My advice would be to back off the cycling until you have this checked out, work on strengthening exercises and ice the affected area.  Don't keep cycling and exacerbate the condition.

[bobb]

That's exactly what I didn't want to read!

There's no way I'm stopping riding, but I might switch to a geared bike and just take it easy for a while.

I did a bit of research on t'interweb (so it must be true!) and the general consensus is that the tendons at the back of the knee are more of a problem mending wise. I did the front ones in many years ago. I fell over when really drunk (Just say NO, right kids?!) I had to have a week off work and spent months in physio. They're fine now, but it took a good few years for the (admittedly mild) pain to go away.

I suppose I may be slightly optimistic in hoping that I'll wake up one morning and the knees are back to normal....

[annie]

You were drinking, noooo?  I can't believe that for a minute

I am not a physiotherapist but I can only go on the advice I have been given following my injuries.  I do know thought that continuing to ride whilst experiencing pain without seeking medical advice may make your condition worsen to the point where you will not be able to ride at all. 

If you touch a hotplate and your finger starts to hurt you wouldn't leave it there would you?  Nuff said.

Have one of these anyway

[Ian H]

48 x 17 is quite high. I ride 43 x 17 and very seldom spin out on a downhill. Having said that, it is, from the experience of several people I know, easy to pull muscles when spinning high cadence, especially if you've just been graunching a fairly hefty gear uphill. Just form what you said, without ever having seen you in action, I'd suspect possibly a slightly less than fluid pedalling action. But that's only a guess.

I've had 19 years more experience than you of age-related twinges (and occasionally worse) and a decent sports physio - generally around £25 a session - never needed more than three - has always done the trick of keeping this carcass in running order.

Oh, and fixed has never done me any more harm than gears.

[Hot Flatus]

Have you thought of taking up a gentler, more sedentary pastime?   Bowls perhaps?

 

[Ian H]

Have you thought of taking up a gentler, more sedentary pastime?   Bowls perhaps?

 

I suspect that if you forward Bobb a photograph he might be persuaded to take up darts.

[bobb]

I appreciate that 47x17 is a bit high, Ian - but it's pretty flat around here. It's fairly obvious from Velo fixe that the more experienced the fixer, the spinnier the gear they use. I'm not very experienced en fixe, but my "style" has defo improved recently ie I can spin comedically now without bouncing around like clown with a firework up his arse.

I will take up bowls when I'm dead 

[Hummers]

I have had a back of knee problem and it was my saddle being too high/over extending my leg.

H

[Rapples]

I have had a back of knee problem and it was my saddle being too high/over extending my leg.

H

If you can feel the "pain" if you deliberately point your toes down at the bottom of the revolution, I've had this too.

Lower saddle slightly until problem goes, might be able to raise it again after a while.

[gordon taylor]

Can I jump in here instead of starting a new thread?

I have a consistent pain at the FRONT of my right knee. It doesn't hurt much when I'm on the bike, but it's sore at other times and I find it very hard to (for example) climb stairs.

I've searched around but can't find the info I'm looking for - does pain at the front imply a saddle too low or a crank too long or something?

[mattc]

Can I jump in here instead of starting a new thread?

I have a consistent pain at the FRONT of my right knee. It doesn't hurt much when I'm on the bike, but it's sore at other times and I find it very hard to (for example) climb stairs.

I've searched around but can't find the info I'm looking for - does pain at the front imply a saddle too low or a crank too long or something?

In, behind, above or below the knee cap? (Yes I know it's often hard to tell!) A number of things could be wrong here.

[gordon taylor]

Immediately below the kneecap and at the front of the leg, if that makes sense?

[annie]

Immediately below the kneecap and at the front of the leg, if that makes sense?

You might find this website Knee pain symptoms - What do they mean? useful

[mattc]

Immediately below the kneecap and at the front of the leg, if that makes sense?

That isn't one I've had to deal with - sorry!

[Ray 6701]

I've been having problems with my knees since February and resting it has not made a great deal of difference.  It eases off a little but comes back just as bad after a while.  I have been to the docs twice now, 1st time he advised to rest it which I did (kind of) and now I have got a referral to see a specialist through my works bupa cover.  I would advise that it is best to seek the help of a specialist as I have just wasted my summers cycling due to being a stubborn arse
Good luck! I hope you don't miss as many rides as I have