Ok, first off don’t bust my balls because I’m posting an injury related issue on here. I don’t have health insurance and being a student I can’t afford to go to the doctor, so this is what I have to resort to.
For the last several weeks, next to my patella on the medial side of my left knee only has caused me excruciating pain while cycling. I can run and swim fine with NO PAIN at all. After ~15 minutes on the bike is when this begins and it gets worse as the duration progresses. I’m just not sure what to do at this point. I feel like I stretch enough, and then stretch some more. Doesn’t help…it feels like stretching doesn’t affect this at all.
You’re going to love this answer even more. Have you had the bike properly fit?
I would ice and ibuprophen. Stretching doesn’t solve everything and I’ve found sometimes it makes it worse. Take some time off the bike too. Whatever is the problem is only being aggrevated by cycling.
That is my lay person’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
Are you pulling big gears? I have bad knees and found if I spin out at a lower gear it doesn’t bother my knees as much. Also not to sound pessimistic but it sounds like you may have a slight meniscus tear. Not a doctor just 25 years of knee injuries and three surgeries.
Could be a position issue. If you are having pain on the front of the knee your saddle may be too low or too far forward. Not sure if you are on a tri or road bike. If tri bike, check your saddle alignment with the bottom bracket. If the nose is ahead of the bottom bracket slide it back to be even.
How are you an enrolled student without health insurance? I thought that was a basic requirement for enrollment, and if you didn’t have your own, then you got charged for a student health plan.
I don’t know why or how its not provided. The University does offer a plan, but my mother looked into it and said it was a pretty crappy plan. My state offers a decent health insurance plan for pennies but because the majority of my income is from student loans, I’m ineligible because I make too much. How the fuck can student loans be classified as income!?!? Its not like I’m actually “making” the money that I dont have to pay back.
Anyway, seems like getting fit is the right thing to do. I’ve had this bike for 1 1/2 years and haven’t done any major adjustments and it just started up 3 or so weeks ago.
I don’t know why or how its not provided. The University does offer a plan, but my mother looked into it and said it was a pretty crappy plan. My state offers a decent health insurance plan for pennies but because the majority of my income is from student loans, I’m ineligible because I make too much. How the fuck can student loans be classified as income!?!? Its not like I’m actually “making” the money that I don’t have to pay back.
Anyway, seems like getting fit is the right thing to do. I’ve had this bike for 1 1/2 years and haven’t done any major adjustments and it just started up 3 or so weeks ago.
Dude - you NEED to get on that student plan. I am on one too and it’s not great but if you get into a serious bike wreck and have no insurance you are royally fucked - you’ll end up with thousands in medical bills that you won’t be able to pay. Medical bills suck a lot more than student loans (and more than knee pain!). I don’t mean to lecture but you are taking an unnecessary risk. Odds are nothing will happen but think of what would happen were some oblivious soccer mom or a drunk driver to plow into you out riding one day. Most likely it won’t happen but if it does you are going to be in a world of hurt - physical and financial. Trust a fellow starving student triathlete on this one.
Agree with others that have said check you bike fit. I had pain behind the knee cap which was caused by my seat being too low and too far forward. I could run and swim without any issues so I thought it was nothing to worry about. Eventually I couldn’t ride at all and had developed a bad muscle imbalance that was pulling my knee cap out of alignment. I was off the bike for 6 months, eventually I couldn’t run either.
If you can get someone to take a look at you on the bike.
I was misdiagnosed at our health center this winter; told that I just had a cold (it was pneumonia). Everything else I’ve been seen for there, they immediately ask “are you pregnant?” pregnancy apparently can cause a whole bunch of issues.
(That said the PTs we have, or used to, are really good).
Student health care @ school is hit or miss but X2 on the need for insurance, in case something major happens.
I’d agree w/ others who say raise the seat, slide it back a bit, make sure yor feet are pointing straight in the pedals and ride in the small ring and maybe a 17-21 or so in the back until and if you feel better. Also, make sure to keep your knees covered with knee warmers or thick tights.
