Hi
I've just read J-Mat's 'knees' response on the cycling boards and really need experienced advice...
I caused problems with my knees when I was about 18-20, weight lifting. I was squatting down to the ground, way past the point you should do (as I later found out). Since then I've found all sports I do cause knee pain.
I started cycling in Feb of this year and am totally hooked. I want and need to race but cannot train properly due to the knee pain.
I read a response from you about this a while back and since have committed myself to base training only (approx. 70%max HR), 2-3 times a week and 50km a ride. The problem still occurs, though I think it's a little better.
The pain is like this:
1) Sever pain occurs predominantly when applying hard presure (uphill or trying to raise my HR above 80% for example).
2) I cannot nail down exactly where the pain is, last night it was at the top of my knee, sometimes its more central or at the sides.
3) The pain is rarely excrusiating but it has been and would be if I chose to ignore it.
4) I will get some form of mild>medium pain on every ride.
5) I am not affected when walking but am when running.
6) The pain is helped by the use of knee straps, I presume as they keep the swelling down and keep everything nice and warm.
7) I didn't have any pain for the first two months of training, then it started. I was doing mainly hill climbs.
8) My bike is fitted/constructed by a good shop, all my measurements taken and an online fitting service. I have Look peddles with float.
That's as much as I can think of. If you could offer any advice about how I can improve this situation I would really appreciate it. I don't want to give in the cycling but really like competitive sport and want to take this as seriously as I can.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Ssushi
PS I'm 31 if this has any bearing on this.
I've just read J-Mat's 'knees' response on the cycling boards and really need experienced advice...
I caused problems with my knees when I was about 18-20, weight lifting. I was squatting down to the ground, way past the point you should do (as I later found out). Since then I've found all sports I do cause knee pain.
I started cycling in Feb of this year and am totally hooked. I want and need to race but cannot train properly due to the knee pain.
I read a response from you about this a while back and since have committed myself to base training only (approx. 70%max HR), 2-3 times a week and 50km a ride. The problem still occurs, though I think it's a little better.
The pain is like this:
1) Sever pain occurs predominantly when applying hard presure (uphill or trying to raise my HR above 80% for example).
2) I cannot nail down exactly where the pain is, last night it was at the top of my knee, sometimes its more central or at the sides.
3) The pain is rarely excrusiating but it has been and would be if I chose to ignore it.
4) I will get some form of mild>medium pain on every ride.
5) I am not affected when walking but am when running.
6) The pain is helped by the use of knee straps, I presume as they keep the swelling down and keep everything nice and warm.
7) I didn't have any pain for the first two months of training, then it started. I was doing mainly hill climbs.
8) My bike is fitted/constructed by a good shop, all my measurements taken and an online fitting service. I have Look peddles with float.
That's as much as I can think of. If you could offer any advice about how I can improve this situation I would really appreciate it. I don't want to give in the cycling but really like competitive sport and want to take this as seriously as I can.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Ssushi
PS I'm 31 if this has any bearing on this.