D
Dave Rusin
Guest
I have been doing a lot of riding this Spring -- commuting, having fun, and preparing for a long
ride in June. By and large it's going very well. (Did over 300 miles this past week!)
I have noticed, however, that when I kneel in the garden or try to double-step up stairways as is my
wont, my knees are making their presence known. They're sort of stiff and sore, and if I fold my
legs under me to squat, I have the feeling I'm stretching something at the knee; when I go to stand
up, I find myself pushing off with my hands a lot.
This could be just old age, of course, (I'm 46) but I wonder whether this is common for bicyclists
and, if so, whether I'm supposed to be doing something about it.
I don't expect (nor want) free medical advice, but do the regulars here believe this is "obviously"
one of these things?
1. A temporary soreness and stiffness caused by putting muscles through a healthy workout beyond
what they've done in years past
2. A reflection of permanent but acceptable changes in the body, as larger muscles get in the way
of flexibility
3. A warning sign that I'm doing something inefficiently, but hey, if
if I want to ride inefficiently, that's a matter of taste
4. An indication of real deterioration or other jeopardy into which I am placing my knees
5. Other?
If I suspect #4 is the answer and visit a doctor, is there something in particular I would ask him
or her to investigate or consider?
I don't know what other pieces of background information might make my case different. There are no
indications of any changes when I walk or stand; it's only when I bend my knees that I am aware of
the stiffness. There is no real pain when I pedal (except that I whacked one knee a couple of weeks
ago and it reminds of this if I pedal too hard). I rarely stand on the pedals these days. My bike
seems to be large enough for me (Trek 7100, and I'm 6ft tall). I don't go through any stretching
regimens when I bike. I'm fairly fit, and swim regularly. I've biked a few miles every day my whole
life, but only in the last year have I returned to a childhood habit of taking long rides, now
including centuries.
I rarely visit doctors but I don't relish the prospect of knee replacement(s) in coming decades so
if there is something I should know now, I guess I'd better hear it and act on it.
dave
ride in June. By and large it's going very well. (Did over 300 miles this past week!)
I have noticed, however, that when I kneel in the garden or try to double-step up stairways as is my
wont, my knees are making their presence known. They're sort of stiff and sore, and if I fold my
legs under me to squat, I have the feeling I'm stretching something at the knee; when I go to stand
up, I find myself pushing off with my hands a lot.
This could be just old age, of course, (I'm 46) but I wonder whether this is common for bicyclists
and, if so, whether I'm supposed to be doing something about it.
I don't expect (nor want) free medical advice, but do the regulars here believe this is "obviously"
one of these things?
1. A temporary soreness and stiffness caused by putting muscles through a healthy workout beyond
what they've done in years past
2. A reflection of permanent but acceptable changes in the body, as larger muscles get in the way
of flexibility
3. A warning sign that I'm doing something inefficiently, but hey, if
if I want to ride inefficiently, that's a matter of taste
4. An indication of real deterioration or other jeopardy into which I am placing my knees
5. Other?
If I suspect #4 is the answer and visit a doctor, is there something in particular I would ask him
or her to investigate or consider?
I don't know what other pieces of background information might make my case different. There are no
indications of any changes when I walk or stand; it's only when I bend my knees that I am aware of
the stiffness. There is no real pain when I pedal (except that I whacked one knee a couple of weeks
ago and it reminds of this if I pedal too hard). I rarely stand on the pedals these days. My bike
seems to be large enough for me (Trek 7100, and I'm 6ft tall). I don't go through any stretching
regimens when I bike. I'm fairly fit, and swim regularly. I've biked a few miles every day my whole
life, but only in the last year have I returned to a childhood habit of taking long rides, now
including centuries.
I rarely visit doctors but I don't relish the prospect of knee replacement(s) in coming decades so
if there is something I should know now, I guess I'd better hear it and act on it.
dave