Outer knee pain?

Gingaling

Hoping this doesn't transgress the no medical advice thread, but would appreciate the thoughts of some voices of wisdom!

I've recently started having some mild but persistent pain along the outside of my left knee. I tend to notice it after rather than during cycling.

In terms of bike set-up, the only change I've made recently is a new pair of cleats - they're in the same position as my old ones, but have a greater degree of 'float' than my previous pair.

Could this be what's causing my knee pain? And if so, is it likely just to be a teething pain or do I need to take some kind of action?

bcmf

Gingaling wrote: »

In terms of bike set-up, the only change I've made recently is a new pair of cleats - they're in the same position as my old ones, but have a greater degree of 'float' than my previous pair.

I put in new cleats earlier in the year. I thought I put them in the same position but after a few shorts kms it was obvious that I hadnt as my knee was giving me extra jip then normal.A quick adjustment made a massive difference.


Oh and in before the lock

seamus

Differences in cleat position or float will make subtle changes to the angles on which you put pressure on your knees (and ankles), which in turn may require some time to get used to. Consider it like using a muscle that doesn't normally get used.

When it comes to random pain, my general rule is this:
If riding doesn't make it significantly worse (or it goes away when riding), then it's probably short-term. If riding makes it worse, stop riding until you've fixed the problem or given the injury time to rest.

In any case, factor in more resting time between spins on the bike and if it's not fully or almost fully resolved in a week, you have a problem.

Gingaling

Thanks very much for your replies, bcmf and seamus - I'll stick with it for a week or so and then might think about making some adjustments!

Cheers

Jawgap

Gingaling wrote: »

.......
I've recently started having some mild but persistent pain along the outside of my left knee. I tend to notice it after rather than during cycling.

..

Woohoo in before the lock down!! Mods must be on a four day week!

First, if it happens after you're finished cycling - do you get off the bike before you put it agaisnt the wall???:)

On a more serious note, it may be cleat position - it's probably worth paying for evening a rudimentary bike fitting session where they can examine posture, foot, cleat and hip position. Costs about 20 yoyos.

Beasty

So long as the thread is covering cleats/float etc it's fine. If anyone seeks or offers a "diagnosis" of an underlying injury, then we have a problem. OP - if the problem does continue, I would suggest seeking medical advice (but not from here;))

daragh_

Jawgap wrote: »

it's probably worth paying for evening a rudimentary bike fitting session where they can examine posture, foot, cleat and hip position. Costs about 20 yoyos.

+1 on this. I had a proper bike fit two weeks ago after putting it off for ages. I've been suffering from pretty bad knee pain since the Wicklow 200 which I put down to a crash. Looks like it was more to do with bad position. New saddle position and a bit of physio has worked wonders.

Gingaling

Jawgap wrote: »

It's probably worth paying for evening a rudimentary bike fitting session where they can examine posture, foot, cleat and hip position. Costs about 20 yoyos.

daragh_ wrote: »

+1 on this. I had a proper bike fit two weeks ago after putting it off for ages.

Thanks guys, that's sounds like a good idea! Is this something I can get done in any bike shop, or is there somewhere you'd particularly recommend? I'm Dublin based.

daragh_

Gingaling wrote: »

Thanks guys, that's sounds like a good idea! Is this something I can get done in any bike shop, or is there somewhere you'd particularly recommend? I'm Dublin based.

I went to BikeFit. Cost €90.
Do a search here, there are loads of threads on this subject.

Gingaling

daragh_ wrote: »

I went to BikeFit. Cost €90.
Do a search here, there are loads of threads on this subject.

Will do, thanks!

Jawgap

Cycleways and Bike Hub (Howth) do a bike fit using the Specialised Body Geometry System - it's not (in my opinion) nearly as thorough as a video based assessment, but it is still useful and a lot cheaper than the video system. I've used both in the past and the bike fit in the shop (without the video) made a huge improvement to my position / comfort on the bike.

A few months later I had a video based assessment and found that it was very useful for spotting much subtler issues to do with my technique which, while not causing any discomfort, were impacting on my efficiency (such as it is )

some links......
http://www.cycleways.com/store/content/63/Bike-Fit/

http://www.thebikehub.ie/bike_fitting.html

Plastik

I used Irishfit during the week also. Did they make much of a change to your position Daragh?

smacl

Gingaling wrote: »

I tend to notice it after rather than during cycling.

Just a very general long shot, but do you do any stretching after your cycling? I tend to suffer by times when I skip the post spin stretch, which is way to often in my case.

daragh_

Plastik wrote: »

I used Irishfit during the week also. Did they make much of a change to your position Daragh?

Raised my saddle by about 10mm and pushed it forward a little. My posture is terrible and this is all to make me keep my back straight and stop me rocking from side to side. (In other words I have no idea how to ride a bike properly - the shame).

I've to go back in a week or so and have a look at the other end of the bike (my seatpost was seized on the day so we couldn't finish the session).

daragh_

smacl wrote: »

Just a very general long shot, but do you do any stretching after your cycling? I tend to suffer by times when I skip the post spin stretch, which is way to often in my case.

Guilty of not stretching. Learning a lesson the hard way now.

Gingaling

smacl wrote: »

Just a very general long shot, but do you do any stretching after your cycling?

I do generally do a bit of stretching afterward longer spins, but not on my commute or anything shorter - I should probably be more diligent!

It sounds like a bike fit is probably something worth having done anyway though. I wonder is it worth having the cheaper bike fit first to adjust anything major before shelling out for the pricier one - with a view to it just being fine tuning? Or maybe I should just get it over with in one foul swoop!

12 sprocket

Outer knee pain?
Hoping this doesn't transgress the no medical advice thread, but would appreciate the thoughts of some voices of wisdom!

I've recently started having some mild but persistent pain along the outside of my left knee. I tend to notice it after rather than during cycling.

In terms of bike set-up, the only change I've made recently is a new pair of cleats - they're in the same position as my old ones, but have a greater degree of 'float' than my previous pair.

Could this be what's causing my knee pain? And if so, is it likely just to be a teething pain or do I need to take some kind of action?
You may find that you are cycling with your heel slightly more out from the crank than usual, try adjusting your new cleats to bring the heel back in slightly.

THis may sort it out and is worth trying before dropping a ton for a bike setup

gmoorewest

Was having a similiar problem since last summer and had done lots of minor adjusting on my cleats, to no avail. Have used a hire bike on holidays and knee was ok. Figured I'd look at my set up when I got home, raised my saddle and knee feels ok. (so far!)

dx22

Buy a foam roller and loosen up your IT band with it!