Cycling UK Forum

Knee physiotherapy after 58 years, is it worth it?? I’m 75 now and, imo reasonably fit. In1965, I cracked my patella playing rugby on an icy pitch; cue intense pain and total inability to move the lower leg. Taken 15+ miles to the nearest hospital where the fragments in the tissue and joint were removed but the patella was left in place. Walking was a real pain for several months having to wear a calliper by day. Minimal after surgery physio support or advice and as we lived deep in the Westmorland countryside, no accessible buses to a hospital. Grin and bear it was the medical advice but by 60 you may need surgery on your knee joint!! 58 years later, I’m still cycling and probably getting in 40-60 miles in an ordinary week but double or more on a more serious week. Recently noticed the knee is stiffening a bit and the calf muscles feel tight. I’ve never been able to bend my leg from the knee much below 65-70 degrees since the accident. Obviously rules out fancy yoga or sitting comfortably in a squat position but that’s not my issue. Is it worth trying physio after all these years to loosen up the muscles, tendons or ligaments or should I just leave well alone? Any advice other than getting a knee transplant will be welcomed.

Leave well alone my friend!
Scotch up on knee exercise regimes and vary your fitness routine. Maybe spend some time in a Spa Pool.
I have a problem with my right knee that is quite painful if I try to Honk.
I saw an osteopath for a while but to no avail.
You could spend a fortune seeing specialists (not far from you, near Stavely), but can you afford it?
Private X-rays cost £650!!

Don't worry about your calendar age.

Make an appointment through your general practice. That might start with a physiotherapist.

Write down all of your questions so that you don't forget any, including about cycling. Ask if you can stay in touch eg by email as things develop.

Jonathan

Arnsider and Jonathan, thanks. Sadly I no longer live in Kirkby Lonsdale but London. I may try doctor & referral route but!! I am interested in the two contrary opinion which I guess are from experience.

Knees are complicated things and physios understand them better than most.
I had on again/off again pain in one knee for a while, locum doctor was hopeless and when I told him regular ibuprofen for the next few decades was The Wrong Answer he suggested physio, which sounded like it might be The Right Answer.
The physio found the problem (muscle imbalance causing my kneecap to mis-track) after a few minutes carefully comparing knees and prescribed exercises which solved the problem (have to get back to them occasionally, but it's a few opposed leg raises at bedtime vs. inability to walk without considerable pain).

Now, of course your problem will probably be different to mine, but the point here is the physio knew far more than the doctor because the GP was a general practitioner with a vague memory of anatomy lessons where the physio was a musculoskeletal specialist who dealt with dodgy knees up close and personal on a regular basis.

It's possible they won't be able to help, but with a worst case of a couple of hours out of your life finding that out against a possible payoff of greatly increased mobility, why not find out?

Pete.

I've had to use a physio privately on and off for a number of years, not for knee issues but issues at first with my upper body, and years later, lower back stiffness due to tightness in the sacro-iliac joint. He was a manipulative physio, which is out of favour nowadays, but I found it very beneficial. Unfortunately he has now retired. It was similar to osteopathic treatment in some respects.

You get to know the good ones by recommendation from ideally medical professionals in the field, in my case a physio at Jimmy's at Leeds suggested him.

There are good physios around, but you need to do some research and ask around. In my case it made the difference between working and not working for my initial complaint. Says it all really.

pjclinch wrote: ↑1 Aug 2023, 1:10pm Knees are complicated things and physios understand them better than most.
I had on again/off again pain in one knee for a while, locum doctor was hopeless and when I told him regular ibuprofen for the next few decades was The Wrong Answer he suggested physio, which sounded like it might be The Right Answer.
The physio found the problem (muscle imbalance causing my kneecap to mis-track) after a few minutes carefully comparing knees and prescribed exercises which solved the problem (have to get back to them occasionally, but it's a few opposed leg raises at bedtime vs. inability to walk without considerable pain).

Now, of course your problem will probably be different to mine, but the point here is the physio knew far more than the doctor because the GP was a general practitioner with a vague memory of anatomy lessons where the physio was a musculoskeletal specialist who dealt with dodgy knees up close and personal on a regular basis.

It's possible they won't be able to help, but with a worst case of a couple of hours out of your life finding that out against a possible payoff of greatly increased mobility, why not find out?

Pete.

That’s a great summation, thanks

You do not want to die in 30 years with a big bank balance. Go for it. If you do not like or reap benefits from the first two sessions discontinue.