This is not the first time I have experienced this. I get a sensation or pain radiating from the patella tendon area when I kneel a certain way. After feeling around the patella tendon area I can feel what I assume is a nerve just under the skin. Rolling my finger over the nerve creates the same sensation. I found some diagrams on line and it could be the Peroneal nerve. So far I have continued to run and ride on the trainer with no discomfort. In the past it simply stopped. As I recall this issue seems to start up with indoor riding on my trainer and never when riding outdoors.
Has anyone experienced this? Could the constant position on the trainer be causing it? Any other ideas?
Depends on where exactly on the patellar tendon you are speaking of, and how ‘deep’. At the 6o’clock position of the kneecap? or off to the side?
If you are feeling it near the surface it’s the prepatellar bursa and not the nerve. Kneeling on the area or compressing the patellar tendon over the kneecap in turn compresses the bursa underneath (or the cartilage on the backside of the patella itself). The peroneal nerve is more lateral to the outside of the joint, at the top of the fibula (bony point). Are you putting your weight down on the knee, or just in a super deep knee bend?
When tendons are inflamed look to release the muscle related to it.
Yes, constant time on the trainer is murderous on joints in general. Try changing the ‘level’ of your bike by lowering the front wheel 5-8MM.
Thank you for your reply.
The area is just above the fibula.
It feels like a cord under the skin running horizontal.
When I roll my finger over it I feel the burning sensation.
Kneeling on that area creates the same sensation. I takes very little pressure.
A deep knee bend causes no pain.
Sorry for my ignorance on this but what muscle should I work to release, the quadriceps?
I just googled an image and it is precisely where the Infrapatellar bursa is shown.
Thank again
so there is only pain when you push inwards? do you have any sensations down the leg or in the foot? have you twisted that ankle lately (or trail running). Any history or ‘bumper fracture’ on that side of the joint capsule? Sounds like you’ve sort of put up with this for awhile.
If below the centerline of the joint, more likely to be lower leg. Although your ‘horizontal’ comment is odd…most things run north to south in that area. You may have two interrelated sources to the issue.
Possibly tendon attachment from biceps femoris…maybe one of these illustrations helps pinpoint where/what exactly you’re feeling.
https://www.medillsb.com/illustration_image_details.aspx?AID=9217&IID=174267
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/
and my favorite, Dr. Ebraheim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Cdz7RxceQ