one knee sore only when cycling

poppin
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Joined: 6 Sep 2022, 2:49pm

one knee sore only when cycling

Post by poppin »

Can anyone suggest anything or provide anecdotal information? Pain in one knee, knee-cap front area.

I have been cycling for 12 weeks and I do no other activity like running or weight/gym etc but i walk 4-7 miles daily. Absolutely no knee problems until a week ago. Have been sensible and building up distance and speed gradually. Started do 5-10 mile rides at 8 mph and have been building up to current rides of 23-30 miles at 11-13 mph. I do about 65 miles a week on average and cycle on alternate days.

I have made no changes to bike set-up recently but for the last week, i get 20 - 30 minutes into a bike ride and suddenly start getting discomfort on one knee and then the pain level ramps up quite quickly making it hard to pedal home,

It's at the front of the knee, going towards the middle. Hurts only one one knee and only when cycling. Fine when walking and moving about normally.

My knee felt ok yesterday so i foolishly hedged a bet that extending my ride would work out. I had to cycle 10 + miles home very slowly as the pushing down action was sharp and hurt when making peddling motion.

I can find lots of information which describes knee pain but i can't find any on how to avoid it and how to fix the problem.

Any experience of this? Thank you.
thirdcrank
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Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

Is it a new bike? If not, it may have been mishandled at some point bending a pedal spindle. If so, your foot on that side may be being imperceptibly waggled as you ride. I'm suggesting this possibility because it's apparently only in one knee.

If you are using any sort of clip-in pedals, then poor cleat position might cause this
poppin
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Joined: 6 Sep 2022, 2:49pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by poppin »

I've been cycling 12 weeks and no change to bike - same bike, a bike i purchased brand new, just suddenly got knee problem.

11 weeks pain free and last week, just appeared.

Don't use clip shoes- new to cycling and don't feel experienced enough.

Thanks for reply.
thirdcrank
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Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

I believe the first thing to be sure of with cycling-related knee pain is saddle height, although that might be expected to affect both knees.

The easiest mistake is to have your saddle too low. Saddle height should be adjusted in relation to the pedals, rather than the ground. If a bike is too big, then the saddle may be too high.

There's quite a bit on here explaining how to get a good position on your bike
Psamathe
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by Psamathe »

Internet diagnosis is not sensible. I have knee problems but don't interpret my issues (described below) and solution as being relevant to whatever is causing your own issues.

In my case the issues are apparently down to a weak VMO(?) which I understand tends to contract at a specific point in pedalling to keep my knee cap stable. Weak VMO and knee cap moves and bits become inflamed. Normally worse in one knee (even absent from one knee). I've used physio tape and jumpers knee straps to help stabilise the knee cap. Helps but over time VMO strengthens and issue improves/clears.

Much worse of I pedal slowly and push hard, better if I pedal faster using less force.

If I don't cycle for a bit issue returns.

I use Voltarol/Diclofenac cream (Ibuprofen (any format) had no effect on me) - but without a "control" I have no idea if it helps or not.

BUT, above are my issues and there are many possible causes so do not take above as a diagnosis or suggested treatment. Seeing a physio is best way forward to establish your issue and treatment/avoidance.

Ian
poppin
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Joined: 6 Sep 2022, 2:49pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by poppin »

thanks Ian, of course - internet diagnosis is not to be relied on, so quite right of you to reinforce that.

interesting - never heard of vmo weakness, will take a look at this.
Psamathe
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by Psamathe »

poppin wrote: 27 Nov 2022, 12:50pm thanks Ian, of course - internet diagnosis is not to be relied on, so quite right of you to reinforce that.

interesting - never heard of vmo weakness, will take a look at this.
Not just for yourself but search engines (site and external) are often used by people suffering and some might leap to any and all reasons/treatment.

In my case I believe the physio tape and/or jumpers knee straps allow me to keep cycling which allows my VMO to strengthen. With physio tape my physiotherapist said one way which uses little tape so I went OTT and instead used the method described by KT-Tape on https://www.kttape.com/blogs/how-to-app ... ee-support though KT-tape is very expensive and I use other brands which are much cheaper (though some are not good at sticking).

But with just me, no control quite possible everything I did had no effect and I just got better anyway - I have no way of knowing, no comparisons.

Again, many causes including as others have said things like saddle height, bike fit, etc.

Ian
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foxyrider
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by foxyrider »

I had the exact same symptoms after riding trouble free for 10years! I hadn't changed anything with the bike and it predated my use of step in pedals.

In my case it was diagnosed as some form of tendonitis which resulted in weeks off the bike and a very slow build back up over @ 6 months. That pain through the kneecap i wouldn't wish on anyone :roll: The good news is that was in the late 80's and whilst i've had all sorts of issues with that leg since (broken patella, DVT) i've not had the same issue since.

Go see your doctor who is, sfterall, the learned expert.
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
richardfm
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by richardfm »

foxyrider wrote: 27 Nov 2022, 8:04pm I had the exact same symptoms after riding trouble free for 10years! I hadn't changed anything with the bike and it predated my use of step in pedals.

In my case it was diagnosed as some form of tendonitis which resulted in weeks off the bike and a very slow build back up over @ 6 months. That pain through the kneecap i wouldn't wish on anyone :roll: The good news is that was in the late 80's and whilst i've had all sorts of issues with that leg since (broken patella, DVT) i've not had the same issue since.

Go see your doctor who is, sfterall, the learned expert.
If by doctor you mean GP aren't they generalists and probably not experts at cycling related knee problems?
However, a GP could refer the OP to a Physiotherapist who may well be an expert.
Richard M
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Debs
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by Debs »

Five years ago i experienced pain and weakness in one knee joint while cycling.

After medical evaluation GP - MRI scan - tumour specialist - the cause turned out to be a very old injury which over time developed into an osteochondral defect in the top of the tibia just below the knee joint. This is a benign cancer of the bone, and fortunately not that serious.
I have had no treatment for it, just a repeat MRI scan every other year to check, and it doesn't seem to be getting any worse.

My cycling concern issue became improved greatly by reducing the crank length from 172.5mm to 170mm. Although this doesn't seem a huge difference, in practise it made cycling a lot easier simply by using higher cadences and lower gears up hill.
Also, as we age it's probably a good idea to not stress the knees with low cadence power pushing.

Check you crank length, and consider replacing with shorter crank chainset if over 170mm.
If the pain persists consult your GP.
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531colin
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by 531colin »

Vastus medialis is part of the quadriceps group, but it only "fires" when the knee is almost straight. So athletes who don't straighten out the knee (cyclists, distance runners, canoeists....) get a weak VM . The VM is also the only part of the quads group to pull the patella medially....towards the middle. So if you have a weak VM the patellar tracking can be altered and the patella can rub on the lateral side of the groove in the end of the femur....so you get a pain under the outside edge of the patella.
If this is you, you can strengthen your VM with straight-leg isometric exercises (Google!)
Read my DIY bike set up piece linked below!

DON'T push through the pain! Back right off cycling for exercise and just do very gentle walking for a few of days while you play about with my bike fit guide....return to riding for very short gentle rides
poppin
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Joined: 6 Sep 2022, 2:49pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by poppin »

Debs wrote: 27 Nov 2022, 8:48pm Five years ago i experienced pain and weakness in one knee joint while cycling.

After medical evaluation GP - MRI scan - tumour specialist - the cause turned out to be a very old injury which over time developed into an osteochondral defect in the top of the tibia just below the knee joint. This is a benign cancer of the bone, and fortunately not that serious.
I have had no treatment for it, just a repeat MRI scan every other year to check, and it doesn't seem to be getting any worse.

My cycling concern issue became improved greatly by reducing the crank length from 172.5mm to 170mm. Although this doesn't seem a huge difference, in practise it made cycling a lot easier simply by using higher cadences and lower gears up hill.
Also, as we age it's probably a good idea to not stress the knees with low cadence power pushing.

Check you crank length, and consider replacing with shorter crank chainset if over 170mm.
If the pain persists consult your GP.
hi Debs, i'm probably being thick but why his crank length an issue - can't i just look at lowering or increasing height of saddle rather than getting new cranks? thank you for your answer - sounds awful
poppin
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Joined: 6 Sep 2022, 2:49pm

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by poppin »

Thanks for the suggestion of your guide Colin. Will have a read.
Thanks for other replies too.
Dingdong
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Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by Dingdong »

Tendonitis, caused by either a badly fitted cleat/pedal, or erratic pedalling style. I've only had it once and the only solution was complete rest from the bike for about 8 weeks.
Debs
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Location: Powys

Re: one knee sore only when cycling

Post by Debs »

poppin wrote: 28 Nov 2022, 10:48am hi Debs, i'm probably being thick but why his crank length an issue - can't i just look at lowering or increasing height of saddle rather than getting new cranks? thank you for your answer - sounds awful
It may not be an issue for you, especially if you're still youngish, but as we age the longer crank length with its wider circumference rotary sweep can put more stress though old knees.
Also the shorter crank length is more advantageous for maintaining a higher cadence which applies less brute force at the knee joints but with faster pace spinning, plus using sensible lower gears when ascending hills.

The time honoured standard size crank length is 170mm, and this does seem to be sensible and about right for most people.
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