Knee Pain - What specialist to see?

[Juan Pelota]

Hey all,

I started experiencing knee pain while riding a rented bike that was too small for me back in 2010. Ever since then, I've had pain on the upper front side of the knee halfway between the center of the knee and the outside of the knee cap. The pain sometimes spreads to the whole kneecap. It only bothers me when I ride, and only after about 45 minutes to an hour of riding. The pain can become quite severe if I don't stop.

I went to an orthopedic surgeon about the problem back in 2012, but he couldn't say what was wrong - his knowledge of bike injuries was not great - and suggested an MRI, which my insurance didn't cover at the time.
So I never got it. I just stopped doing long rides.

But I want to get my groove back and I have new insurance now, that covers MRI, but I am not sure what kind of specialist to see. Another ortho? A physical therapist ? Go to a bike store and have them watch my ride and adjust my saddle/form/cleats? (I have experimented a bit myself with different setups and nothing seems to work - as well as getting fitted when I bought my bikes 8-10 years ago.But maybe getting a pro to analyze my form might help?)

What do you guys recommend?

 

[carolina]

Last year I had pain on the same place you're mentioning. I did an ultrasound and found out I had some fluid in my knee. It was a very small amount, but enough to cause me some pain.

I didn't rode my bike for 3 months and had to be very carefull when trainning legs at the gym. I could only do stuff that didn't required me to bend my leg. I could do some squat variations, but only with my bodyweight and only after the first month.

 

[BigMac]

Can also be ITBS, it's very annoying. I had it last year and most orthopedists I visited could not tell what it was, and it was so simple.

Don't know what to tell you since you've already visited a doctor. Maybe try another?

 

[Maxiton]

I think you should seek the opinion of at least one doctor specializing in sports physiology.

If you could actually find a bike shop that has true expertise in fitting a bike, you should probably do that, too, but finding one is easier said than done. Not all bike fits are created equal, and many aren't really bike fits at all.

If you are super lucky you might find a sports physiology M.D. who can also do a bike fit.

 

[avanti]

Re:

If you are super lucky you might find a sports physiology M.D. who can also do a bike fit.[/

If you live in, or can travel to, Colorado there may be such MDs who could help you.

 

[Maxiton]

Re: Re:

If you are super lucky you might find a sports physiology M.D. who can also do a bike fit.[/

If you live in, or can travel to, Colorado there may be such MDs who could help you.

Right. Northern California, as well.

 

[Missedthekit1]

Once you get well...go with heel/pedal low---leave it there and find a plumb-bob inst...---http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/bike-fit/bike-fit-set-your-saddle-height .if you cant get within safe parameters with for/aft, the frame is the wrong size. Most pros like to be stuffed into the cockpit---don't go there ---lay down alittle. If you cant plumb-bob out correctly, you will know your on the wrong frame... stay well...

 

[rick james]

I had pain like that before, i thought it was my ITB band...had the foam roller out for weeks, nothing was really working, it turned out it was my saddle height that was causing the problem, even a few MM can make a difference

 

[avanti]

Once you get well...go with heel/pedal low---leave it there and find a plumb-bob inst...---http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/bike-fit/bike-fit-set-your-saddle-height .if you cant get within safe parameters with for/aft, the frame is the wrong size. Most pros like to be stuffed into the cockpit---don't go there ---lay down alittle. If you cant plumb-bob out correctly, you will know your on the wrong frame... stay well...

I just had a bike fit - I learned I needed adjustments to prevent my knees moving laterally during pedal stroke. Added Specialized insoles to my shoes; my knee ached for a few days getting used to the change but OK now.

 

[kwikki]

It's hard to diagnose on the Internet but it's highly likely to be bike fit.

Front of knee pain can be having saddle too far back, but this would be odd if the bike was too small.

ITB pain manifests itself on the outer side of the knee where the ITB band rubs on the epicondyle. It can be caused by having a saddle too high.

Either way, get some recommendations for a bike fitter, a proper one, maybe an ex pro rider with years of experience, rather than somebody who has just done a one day course and has a fancy website.

It is money worth spending. Good luck and I'd be keen to know how it goes.