Knee Issues

[jammyc]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to do a sponsored cycle ride (aka the Southern Tier plus a diversion to the Grand Canyon - yay!). Its my first tour, and having read up on the bits, I started training back in January.

All was going well 'til a couple of months ago, when I managed to mangle my knee (possibly by over-training and under-warming up). I've had it looked at by a couple of physios, who say its to do with the tracking of the patella. They gave me a few exercises to get it going, which I've been doing for a month now.

Having pushed my departure back to the end of October, I don't want to now wait 'til next season 'cos I've already got sponsors! Problem is, it still gives me gyp on a semi-sporadic basis.

Has anyone got any advice or experience? I guess its common but I'm only 21 on Monday. . .

[Jandiep]

You might want to lower your sadle only 1 cm (less than half an inch). I was suffering from a knee injury a long time, lowering my sadle got me back on the bike.

Good luck,
Jan

This message was edited by Jandiep on 8-30-05 @ 2:19 AM

[jammyc]

Oh right, I'll give it a shot tonight (after work). I've never been quite sure of my setup anyways

Ooh, and a random tip to others with badly tracking 'caps: My physio pushed the patella to the right place and taped it up (thus making sure it tracks in the right bit) - it works wonders!

[scott.laughlin]

Enter **tracking of the patella** in a google search.  There's a lot of useful information.  My wife damaged her knee when she was 40 years older than you are now.  She started taking Glucosamine Chondroitin as directed and it cured the problem.

If you aren't familiar with it it's available over the counter.  Look for Osteo Bi-Flex as a brand name and you'll be in the area.

Good luck

[ATSFfan]

I also did the exact same thing to my right knee when training for my So Tier ride in the Spring 2004. I just cut way back on my training to 3-4 times a week (it was still a couple of months before I planned to start the tour) and the miles I did ride were very flat. After a few weeks, the knee strengthened up and was fine for remaining training and the 3,100 mile tour. No drugs, but I do hear good things about glucoseamine.

[biker_james]

Have you checked out the Cho-Pat straps? My wife had some tracking issues with her knee (running, not cycling) and the strap helped immensely.

[driftlessregion]

If you have never been quite sure of your bike's setup that is the first thing to do. Pay the professionals the $75-100 to do a fit with you on the bike! You will not regret it!  If you must do it yourself one good resource is Jim Langley at http://jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html.  "Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide for Cyclists" is an excellent book available in some bookstores but also as an ebook at roadbikerider.com. Good luck.

[jammyc]

biker_james, I've just looked up the Cho-pat straps: One of them looks very much like a long term version of what my physio made out of sticky plasters. I'll ask her for her thoughts tomorrow. Have you ever seen them in the shops, or is it all about buying over the net?

As far as glucosamine is concerned, Wikipedia seems to say it hasn't been proven safe in humans yet! Eep!

Ta muchly though guys!

[biker_james]

I haven't seen the Cho-pat in any shops here, but I think some running stores carry them, or may be able to direct you to someone who does. I bought mine on-line though.