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I'm hoping maybe someone here can give some idea about what's happening to my knee. I'm doing the WHW in a day as a fundraiser next month and this is now looking unlikely. I also cycle everyday around my work and I'm going slightly mad at not being able to ride.
I took a tumble five weeks ago and banged my knee. It was grazed and bruised and became swollen. It was a bit sore but didn't affect my cycling.... at first. A week later the knee was painful walking down hill (but not so much when cycling) but for caution I rested it and then managed to get it checked out by a doctor a week after that (two weeks after the fall). A little internet research seemed to suggest possible bursitis but the doc wasn't sure about that. She didn't really tell me much at all though.
The next day I stupidly knocked the injured knee on a kitchen cupboard. A little sore again but this time its definitely developed fluid beneath the skin over the kneecap. I did a bit of pedalling around and everything was fine. Next day did a bit more cycling - no problem at all. Same for the next few days though I still had this fluid/swelling (it seemed to be going down though). Happy to be back doing training miles I did a very big ride and again everything was good. Next day - no problems until I got on the bike. Nippy while pedalling to work - extremely painful biking home. Not been able to ride since - so it's nearly five weeks after the initial knock.
There seems to be two areas of pain. On the knee cap (or just below) and immediately above the knee cap, a little to the outside. Feel this on a down pedal stroke. Having tested it on the bike - it's okay for 100 - 200 yards, no pain, then it hits. There is still a thin layer of swelling though this feels a bit 'gristly' under the skin. It's still slightly reddish in a small area and feels warm (inflamed).
I've treated it with RICE and anti-inflammatories. Now also stretching quads (as recommended if bursitis). It doesn't seem to be getting better.
I think I'm going to have to abandon my charity ride next month. If I have another week off that would be three weeks with no cycling and then three weeks to get back up to condition.
Gutted. Just been back to the doc and the ride is off and I don't know when I going to be able to ride again.
I've been told that there could be some kind of misalignment in my riding which has only showed after a very long ride (as I did three weeks ago) and maybe pulling the kneecap out of position slightly.
Doctor could only recommend seeing a specialist sports (for cycling) physio. Voltarol and bus fares have hammered my limited budget so I don't know if I can afford this service. Anyone have any good recommendations in the Edinburgh area.
Or any advice or cheery thought welcome.
Email me.
I've emailed you. Cheers.
Double post.
Kunstler - if still needing a reccomendation get an appointment with Stephen Mutch at Space Clinics on Dalry Rd - he specialises in cycling alignment. I have seen him on and off over the years and he is very good.
oh, and have a read at Andy Pruitt's book (He's Mr Body Geomety, Specialized) and goes through, with diagrams, a lot of set up tips and exercises