Knee pain - what a pain! Help!

[dean2287]

I took a nice ride yesterday through the foothills; beautiful scenery, nice twisties through the trees, a bit breezy but sweet. However, after about 1/2 hour my right knee started getting stiff...not the joint but just below the knee. After a while it was so stiff and painful the ride wasn't fun anymore. I had to straighten and stretch it out often (I rested it on the frame slider for a while - not safe per se but comfortable.

The experience really sucked. It wasn't a long ride but I could barely manage to finish it up. Whenever I stopped I actually had to help my leg off with my hand, and it was sore as hell to stand up. Otherwise, I never have problems with my knee.

OK, maybe I'm getting old (I'm only 40...), but really, it shouldn't be like this. Anybody else have this problem? What did you do about it?

 

[Smittyboy]

My dad's friend whom I occasionally ride with had this problem from time to time. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's kind of a compression band thing that wraps around the area just under your knee. It supposedly pulls everything to where it's supposed to be. It worked wonders for him, maybe it'd do well for you. Sorry I can't recall what it's called. Found a link to what I'm talking about... I think his is nike, but they're all basically the same product...
http://www.scriphessco.com/itemdetail.asp?cat=313111&MENU=313111&item=709+0031&s=
It's the white colored one, kinda small and cups the bottom of the cap.

 

[Fred]

Look into lowering the footpegs to take some of the bend out of your knees.

 

[keira]

I have knee issues anyway, but I find that while I am riding, if I get fidgety on a regular basis, and adjust where my foot id on the peg, it keeps my knee pain to a minimum.

 

[mstewar1]

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, so take this for what it's worth.

The thing that smittyboy is talking about is for tendinitis in the knee. I've got a similar device, but no doubt a bit cheaper... The one I have is just a stretchy bit of neoprene with, what seems like, a bit of rubber tubing sewn in. Mine is not as elaborate as the one he linked. Mine is a really simple little strap. I'm not altogether sure how the heck the thing works, but it does help alleviate the pain. Mind you, I wouldn't promote it as a cure for tendinitis but rather as a device for pain management.

You can pick up a version of the strap that I've got at any drug store (out West we have Walgreen's and Long's).

I also take a tylenol and an ibuprofen before I ride.

Getting older sucks.

 

[dean2287]

Good stuff as always, thanks a bunch! :thumbup: Think I'll try the band, and maybe some diclofenac cream that you can buy without prescription. I don't want to end up needing to quaff ibuprofen if I can help it.

 

[LERecords]

how about a pre-ride stretch??? might help out a little

 

[Smittyboy]

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, so take this for what it's worth.

The thing that smittyboy is talking about is for tendinitis in the knee. The one I have is just a stretchy bit of neoprene with, what seems like, a bit of rubber tubing sewn in. Mine is not as elaborate as the one he linked. Mine is a really simple little strap. I'm not altogether sure how the heck the thing works, but it does help alleviate the pain. Mind you, I wouldn't promote it as a cure for tendinitis but rather as a device for pain management.

You can pick up a version of the strap that I've got at any drug store (out West we have Walgreen's and Long's).

I also take a tylenol and an ibuprofen before I ride.

Getting older sucks.

Wasn't endorsing that particular one... Just trying to convey the type of band you say you have. They are really simple, cheap, and worth a shot. Good luck with it because I know it really hampers enjoying these things.

 

[mstewar1]

Wasn't endorsing that particular one... Just trying to convey the type of band you say you have. They are really simple, cheap, and worth a shot. Good luck with it because I know it really hampers enjoying these things.

Hey smitty, no worries. I'm sorry if my post came off wrong. I had meant to comment that I use the same thing but didn't do a very good job of it. All good.