Author Topic: Lateral knee movement problem  (Read 1188 times)

Lateral knee movement problem
« on: 23 August, 2019, 11:21:00 am »
On PBP 2015 at about 600 km I started to suffer from my knees moving laterally so that my right knee started to hit the crossbar bag. It was as if I was sagging to one side but I couldn't push the bike upright. The legs were fine and I felt no weakness in them. At about 750 km I lost nearly all of my upper body strength but I managed to complete the ride. I made what I think was a false assumption that they were related and it was a core issue. I did core exercises in the run up to PBP 2019 but to no avail as when I hit 400 km the problem arose again (I had done the Porkers and Brimstone and experienced nothing). I was really depressed as I could not envisage cycling 800 km with my knee hitting the crossbar. After sitting by the side of the road considering packing, I decided to cycle on to Carhaix where I went to see an event physio called Jerome. He  was great and spent some time massaging my shoulders which were very knotty. I cycled on and it was ok but after 25 kms it returned and I had to stop every 7 kms to stretch the shoulders and neck. I slept for 3 hrs at Brest and next morning it seemed to be alright although I thought it may have been coming back a couple of times. When I reached Loudeac, Jerome massaged my shoulders again and I didn't really notice the problem after that. Interestingly the upper body weakness of 2015 never manifested itself so I assume that was a separate matter resolved by the core work. I am wondering if anybody else has experienced this problem and has a solution, I have spent some time Googling it but found nothing. Thanks Sean

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Lateral knee movement problem
« Reply #1 on: 23 August, 2019, 02:31:11 pm »
I have one leg slightly shorter than the other. I compensate for it by pointing the saddle a few mm to that side: if I've had the saddle off and put it back straight my left knee moves in towards the crossbar and bashes the bottles. I suppose it also puts a bit of a twist on my upper body too, which would affect arms and shoulders.

Twisting the saddle to the side may also affect the side that sir dresses on, and the consequences thereof.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

Re: Lateral knee movement problem
« Reply #2 on: 23 August, 2019, 02:52:16 pm »
A leg length discrepancy will cause all sorts of problems and may not show up until a situation like this.

Have you had a bike fit or had somebody look at your legs?

I have about 7mm difference and have a wedge under my cleats to compensate.

Re: Lateral knee movement problem
« Reply #3 on: 23 August, 2019, 04:24:49 pm »
A leg length discrepancy will cause all sorts of problems and may not show up until a situation like this.

Have you had a bike fit or had somebody look at your legs?

I have about 7mm difference and have a wedge under my cleats to compensate.

Yes I had a bike fit quite recently from Kernow Physio but the thing I find odd is that it didn't show up on my 600 and I have only ever experienced it on PBP.

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Lateral knee movement problem
« Reply #4 on: 23 August, 2019, 04:37:42 pm »
Mine didn't show up until in 2013 I had a series of X-rays for a displaced sacroiliac and the radiologist spotted it - 11 mm.  I was then sent to a specialist who devised inserts - for my heels.

To this day I pedal with my right foot at 90° to my shin and my left toe pointing down. Together with the saddle alignment it works, but my left foot looks kinda pointy as a result.

ETA I had a good bike fit from a specialist before PBP 2015. He was somewhat perplexed by it but his work was great anyway: PBP 2015 was the most comfortable >1000k Audax I've ever done.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight