What Causes "Burning Knees" and what can I do about it?
#51
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My knees are starting to go. My right knee feels kind of burning or inflamed after heavy cycling days.
I lowered my seat to make it more normal, but that bike hurts my knees because I am still stomping in the smaller space.
I need to think Flintstone spin as some kind member recommended here on these forums.
Higher saddle, lower gears, more cadence, smoother stroke, practice on rollers and maybe glucosamine sulfate.
I lowered my seat to make it more normal, but that bike hurts my knees because I am still stomping in the smaller space.
I need to think Flintstone spin as some kind member recommended here on these forums.
Higher saddle, lower gears, more cadence, smoother stroke, practice on rollers and maybe glucosamine sulfate.
Last edited by timtak; 07-24-18 at 12:06 AM. Reason: Sorry that should have been higher saddle.
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#53
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and dangle them back and forth for ten minutes. It also occurs to me that cycling in circles, scraping the mud of the bottom of ones feet and even going over the top and pulling upwards on the back part of the cycle then, cycling itself should be a regenerative exercise.
I was doing some crazy stomping, out of the saddle in the drops, pulling up and pushing more than my weight on hills.
I am hoping that at least becoming a spinner, as opposed to a stomper, will allow me to cycle at least another 20 years. I am 53.
(I am slightly persuaded by the aquatic ape theory of human development, and think that swimming and catching shellfish was important in human evolution. There shellfish shell mounds all over the world. We could not run fast enough to kill but could use tools to open shells (and also to push large predators from an scavenge their kills perhaps). I think that swimming may be a knee regenerative exercise (in the above Bergman pull apart and wobble sense) and that glucosamine is made from shell extract. I am feeling paleo. )
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@timtak
About 7 years ago I started walking for 20 minutes every morning with 5# Everlast weight bags around my ankles. After about three months it was upped to 10# each ankle.
Bergman stopped this procedure because abrupt turns could further damage the knee joint.
So now it is leg swings while seated high.
After about 18 months I stopped the routine. Now I cycle almost everyday
and do the stairs at the bluffs w/o using the handrail as this works the short muscles used for balance.
It takes time, much more time as we age.
Oh yeah... Stay hydrated. Google dehydration and dementia.
About 7 years ago I started walking for 20 minutes every morning with 5# Everlast weight bags around my ankles. After about three months it was upped to 10# each ankle.
Bergman stopped this procedure because abrupt turns could further damage the knee joint.
So now it is leg swings while seated high.
After about 18 months I stopped the routine. Now I cycle almost everyday
and do the stairs at the bluffs w/o using the handrail as this works the short muscles used for balance.
It takes time, much more time as we age.
Oh yeah... Stay hydrated. Google dehydration and dementia.
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#55
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Thank you. I need some heavier weights I think. I have two sets of 1kg weights for a total of only 4.4lbs on each ankle.
I cycled 2 hours this morning concentrating on the upswing. I was slower of course, but my knees feel fine.
My really low handle bars encourage me to get into a sort of forward leaning sprinty,Obree, superman type position and mash. I liked it. But my knees need me to spin henceforth.
I cycled 2 hours this morning concentrating on the upswing. I was slower of course, but my knees feel fine.
My really low handle bars encourage me to get into a sort of forward leaning sprinty,Obree, superman type position and mash. I liked it. But my knees need me to spin henceforth.
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I eventually worked out that my knee pain (only in the right knee) was caused partly by poorly adjusted, inward pointing cleats. Not only was I mashing, standing in the drops and pushing more than my weight, by pulling up on my bars, but I was also sort of locking my knees by pointing my toes inwards, causing my cleats to move to that position, forcing me to cycle toes-inward-pointingly.
When my knees hurt as they did yesterday, I do some upswing only rides with almost no push all pull on my cleats in imitation of Dr. John Bergman's first exercise of pulling knees and wobbling them. I must be pulling around 10kg. And I find that pull cycling works, especially (am I just imagining this?) if I eat glucosamine too.
When my knees burn I eat glucosamine and pull on my pedals using my cleats, and my knees seem to get better, until I mash in the drops again, or use poorly adjusted cleats.
When my knees hurt as they did yesterday, I do some upswing only rides with almost no push all pull on my cleats in imitation of Dr. John Bergman's first exercise of pulling knees and wobbling them. I must be pulling around 10kg. And I find that pull cycling works, especially (am I just imagining this?) if I eat glucosamine too.
When my knees burn I eat glucosamine and pull on my pedals using my cleats, and my knees seem to get better, until I mash in the drops again, or use poorly adjusted cleats.
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Crazy knee pain
My knees bother me for the first mile or two, every single ride. I do try to pedal a little slower at first to warm up. The other crazy time they bother me isn't when I exert them but rather if I shift to a higher gear that seems like 'I am floating', in other words with no pressure or work required. My knees ache at pedaling air. Can't explain it any better than that, but that has stayed with me all season long.
#58
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IMO your seat is a bit too high...There should be a bend in the knees at bottom of the stroke.
Do you warm up your legs at the start of the ride? If not try starting your ride with at least 5 to 10 minutes of easy pedaling then start your plan of the day. Same at the end of the ride.
Start slowly...your body is new to this activity thing from the sounds of it and needs time to adjust.
Have you had a physical? You may want to get a physical just to make sure your body is ok for physical activity.
Take an over the counter aid...Aleve, etc.
Do you warm up your legs at the start of the ride? If not try starting your ride with at least 5 to 10 minutes of easy pedaling then start your plan of the day. Same at the end of the ride.
Start slowly...your body is new to this activity thing from the sounds of it and needs time to adjust.
Have you had a physical? You may want to get a physical just to make sure your body is ok for physical activity.
Take an over the counter aid...Aleve, etc.
As a side benefit, these short rides also are beneficial in helping you get used to the other aspects of riding again - your balance improves, you get better at shifting gears and you sharpen your road survival skills.
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Since the OP appears to have just started riding recently, his knee pain/burning may simply caused by a strength or flexibility imbalance in his leg muscles. It's a very common problem. This type of knee pain responds well to exercises.
I've had occasional knee pain since I was a teen. I still get knee pain at the beginning of every season, but once my muscles have built back up, the knee pain goes away.
See the following article on stretching and strength exercises.
I've had occasional knee pain since I was a teen. I still get knee pain at the beginning of every season, but once my muscles have built back up, the knee pain goes away.
See the following article on stretching and strength exercises.
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Since the OP appears to have just started riding recently, his knee pain/burning may simply caused by a strength or flexibility imbalance in his leg muscles. It's a very common problem. This type of knee pain responds well to exercises.
I've had occasional knee pain since I was a teen. I still get knee pain at the beginning of every season, but once my muscles have built back up, the knee pain goes away.
See the following article on stretching and strength exercises.
I've had occasional knee pain since I was a teen. I still get knee pain at the beginning of every season, but once my muscles have built back up, the knee pain goes away.
See the following article on stretching and strength exercises.
Zombie Thread Alert!
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One thing that really helps me is keeping my knees warm. My rule of thumb is that if the temperature is less than 70F then I put on my leg warmers. Sometimes this feels a little goofy but I swear by it. Leg warmers are cheap and easy to take off later if it warms up. I’m now 67, been riding since college days. I’m not any great athlete but when I do 20-25 miles comfortably it feels great. Also stretching hamstrings is good, mine have always been tight. Best of luck.
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I'm gonna have to try this ankle weights and leg swings exercise.
My left knee doesn't like to push hard, which makes my right leg compensate with a harder push. Which is starting to make my right knee have some issues.
My left knee doesn't like to push hard, which makes my right leg compensate with a harder push. Which is starting to make my right knee have some issues.
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I realize that this thread was started almost 5 years ago but...
When starting back into bicycling it's a good hing to stat by pedaling lightly for a while = each ride and also for the first few weeks. I've read that it's good to put just enough pressure on the pedals to turn the cranks that is keep the pressure very light.
Also. If a person experiences pain and can do so it's a great thing if they can see a SPORTS MEDICINE doctor. I ay that because years ago i had some issues whilst riding up hills and my family doctor told me to take time off the bike. I saw a sports medicine doctor and she identified the problem and her treatment for it still allowed me to ride.
Cheers
When starting back into bicycling it's a good hing to stat by pedaling lightly for a while = each ride and also for the first few weeks. I've read that it's good to put just enough pressure on the pedals to turn the cranks that is keep the pressure very light.
Also. If a person experiences pain and can do so it's a great thing if they can see a SPORTS MEDICINE doctor. I ay that because years ago i had some issues whilst riding up hills and my family doctor told me to take time off the bike. I saw a sports medicine doctor and she identified the problem and her treatment for it still allowed me to ride.
Cheers
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#67
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FWIW
My wifes knees were starting to bother her we raised the saddle up 0.5" and move it back about the same. Yesterday her knees didn't get sore at all.
My wifes knees were starting to bother her we raised the saddle up 0.5" and move it back about the same. Yesterday her knees didn't get sore at all.
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It seems to me you can get a very similar exercise by
using pedal cleats and pulling, not pushing, on them
to cycle.
This works for me too. Or rather, having your saddle too far back hurts knees. I would not know about having a saddle too low.
using pedal cleats and pulling, not pushing, on them
to cycle.
This works for me too. Or rather, having your saddle too far back hurts knees. I would not know about having a saddle too low.
#70
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3 months ago now and to save my legs from the ravages of diabetes and circulatory problems but...
Do I need to start looking at some supplements such as glucosamine/chondrotin stuff?...any recommendations here?...and please...don't refer me to go see a doctor....just share with me what has worked for you...please.
T.I.A. Bill.
Do I need to start looking at some supplements such as glucosamine/chondrotin stuff?...any recommendations here?...and please...don't refer me to go see a doctor....just share with me what has worked for you...please.
T.I.A. Bill.
You did mention diabetes and there is some indication that these supplements may raise your blood sugar so watch that.
#71
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I'm not a doctor but I have osteoarthritis in my knee and looking into the glucosamine/chondrotin supplements I have found no study that presents any significant evidence that it helps, sort of like Prevagin for memory. That said I'm going to try it anyway to see what happens.
You did mention diabetes and there is some indication that these supplements may raise your blood sugar so watch that.
You did mention diabetes and there is some indication that these supplements may raise your blood sugar so watch that.
#72
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I'm not a doctor but I have osteoarthritis in my knee and looking into the glucosamine/chondrotin supplements I have found no study that presents any significant evidence that it helps, sort of like Prevagin for memory. That said I'm going to try it anyway to see what happens.
You did mention diabetes and there is some indication that these supplements may raise your blood sugar so watch that.
You did mention diabetes and there is some indication that these supplements may raise your blood sugar so watch that.
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#73
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pedal stroke, on the advice of Carbon Fibre Boy and others. I thought I noticed
a minor improvement in power output. Till then I had been pedaling with my
foot in slight forward ankling tip-toe position at the bottom.
Returning my saddle to its previous "too high" position I find that cycling
is really comfortable again and easy on my knees. I am always pushing the
pedal around and never inadvertently attempting to elongate my crank (thus
compacting my knees). I nearly became an invalid, but I know feel I have
a lot more cycling left in me. Yeah.
I think that I may have designed the "too high" seat position because when
I started cycling it was because my knees hurt from going for runs when I
was overweight.
If you knees hurt, I recommend raising your saddle and putting your
saddle forward (to compensate for the rearward shift concomitant with
raising ones saddle).
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Don't jump to conclusions too quickly. When I first got the Wahoo Kickr and Zwift my knees started to ache after a few months from the more intense cycling. I questioned and checked my saddle and cleat positions. It worried me enough to start another thread here about knee health. I no longer have any issues with my kness after a few weeks from when they started to hurt....I think my knees recovered and got stronger. It takes time to get stronger. It's not an overnight thing.
Surgery doesn't always solve the problem - a colleague who had gone through knee surgery from football still have issues with his kness.
If you're new to cycling - everything is gonna hurt. Everything. For awhile. Then when the aches are gone and you have found your fitness and feel virile you're gonna want to live longer just to cycle more.
Surgery doesn't always solve the problem - a colleague who had gone through knee surgery from football still have issues with his kness.
If you're new to cycling - everything is gonna hurt. Everything. For awhile. Then when the aches are gone and you have found your fitness and feel virile you're gonna want to live longer just to cycle more.
Last edited by Machoman121; 11-05-19 at 04:56 AM.
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#75
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I have gone back to this, from five years ago.
Leg position by Timothy Takemoto, on Flickr
It is like putting on an old glove. I am optimistic.