Hmm, I think riding LEL has finally borked my knee to a sufficient extent that I have made a doctors appointment.
I first noticed it around Longtownish Southbound as a dull pain on the front inside of my knee. This got steadily worse as I climbed towards Alston (at one point I had to get off the bike for a few minutes). I then spent until Thorne really struggling to keep up with my ride partner and the pain got steadily worse. I also noticed some tenderness of the area under touch (although no swelling).
At Thorne I had only 1 hours sleep and tried to steal a march in terms of time whilst being able to ride a little slower and mitigate the pain somewhat. However, until I got to Thurlby (where Tomsk suggested I raise my saddle a cm) it was painful enough that I thought about quitting. After I raised my saddle the pain got instantly better for the stage to Gamlinghay only to return again for the last satge (though not as bad as before).
I thought it was just a strain and that a couple of days off the bike would see it right (i've had other problems with my knees before - MSG this year springs to mind - but they always clear up after a few days), but not this time, almost a week after LEL has finished and with absolutely NO exercise it is still as painful.
Drugs do nothing (even a 600mg Ibuprofen taken at Gamlighay didn't touch it) and rest obviously hasn't made much impact.
Symptoms (as best as I can describe them)
Pain is reasonably localised to the front, left side of the knee around the kneecap area. It is worse when bending the leg, walking up or down stairs or any activity whcih cause the knee to bend more than, say 90 degrees. Also hurts when lifting my lower leg. Pain always 'there' but dull when walking or lying down. Slight tenderness to a seemingly random area of the front of the knee when touching.
I notice no swelling at all (never did) but knee sometimes feels, well, 'tight' is the only word that works I think. When bending the knee it's as if I'm pulling or pushing against something (almost as if there was a rubber band exerting just enough force to be noticeable). It also feels sometimes like there is some pressure build up (again, hard to be locale specific, but around the fornt left side of the knee).
Looking online it seems to be either chondromalacia or maybe prepatellar bursitis (which is what my riding partner suggested it was on LEL). I didn't fall or in any other way injure my knee in one go, so I don;t think it's a trauma style injury or torn muscle/ligament/cartilage.
I'm just desperate to get back on the bike or the gym and don't want to be laid up with this. My doctors appointment is not until next Tuesday.
Any advice in the meantime?