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Seeking a bit of advice/ experience from the hive mind. I used to run and cycle a lot in my early 20's, but ditched the running in favor of cycling full time. For the past couple of summers I keep giving it a little go, but am constantly side lined by terrible runners knee in my left leg. I've read up a lot of ways to minimize it etc, and think I've narrowed it down to the fact that I'm knock-kneed (my feet point to 10 and 2 o'clock). I ride about 150 miles a week without a twinge, but a two mile run has my knees swollen for a week. A runner friend of mine suggested that my knees are perhaps over-developed towards cycling and the muscles are too weak/under-developed for running. Anybody got any experience or has anybody overcome this themselves?
Sounds like your ITBs are too tight, accentuated by cycling rather than it being a running problem per se - over-tight ITB pulls kneecap onto joint creating inflammation on the underside. Try doing to stretches to help alleviate the ITB problem?
You should also look at what other activities you do and how your feet are on the pedals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliotibial_band_syndrome
See a decent sports physio. There is so much mixed info out there on stretching your ITB. One of the biggest studies was in America with a running team and over a 5 yr period I think it was, those with a tight ITB suffered less with ITBS. Having suffered for years with chronic knee pain a good sports physio finally identified there was nothing wrong with my knee and instead was a hip weakness and a dodge foot. A set of foot beds and some strengthening exercises later.....no pain!
what slowmogirl said, taking advice from strangers off the internet is like picking solutions from a large hat, blindfolded, with both hands tied behind your back
go and see a sports physio that will identify the problem that's specific TO YOU and prescribe some exercises/stretches/footbeds tailored FOR YOU
runners knee aka patella tendanopathy. You have pain below the kneecap when you put pressure on your foot e.g walking up stairs, running, doing squats wrong. There are loads of reasons why you get knee pain from knee wear or issues related to your hips or feet.
I suffered from "runners knee" before xmas and it took a couple of months of rest and physio for it to heal.
I suffer from runner's knee.
My local physio has done a good job on easing it, but it niggles me all day long. Physio said that there are very few exercises that really help the condition. Just about the only way to get over it is physical manipulation to work directly on the ITB.
Funds for private physio are not limitless and the NHS isn't interested so I had a few paid sessions which helped a lot; now I just accept the niggle. I'll never be anywhere near winning any race again so I just do what I can.
I am currently suffering with this in my left knee. It's extremely painful, I can't bend my knee and itsi very tender below the kneecap. Any advice? I have been RICEing away but no real improvement over the weekend.
Oh btw I was at physio on Friday, but I can't do the exercises he gave me yet as it's too painful.
Could also be hip alignment..
When cycling your hips don't flex as much, more they sway.. then running they flex and the shock sends vibrations down your tendons and creates pain as you've mentioned.
Some Phisios start working on your bottom first hen down the leg..
I'd give up riding if I were you 😉