Mixed news

[composite]

I had to come home a day early during the WRT as I have developed some sort of problem with my knee. I was in some pretty bad pain by the time I got back to Stu's and limping all over the place. It swelled up and was really painful for 4-5 days afterwards. I had to borrow some crutches from a mate to get around.

I went to the doctors and got sent for some x-rays. Had the results today and I'm not really sure what to think at the moment.

Good news is that there aren't any fractures which we weren't expecting to find, this was just a ruling out process. There was no obvious damage at all, no tears or bits of soft tissue floating around and he said that actually he was very happy with how my knee looked in general. The 3 compartments all looked good, everything looked in the right place and I have plenty cushioning between the bones so arthritis is not likely to be an issue for me.

The bad news is that I have a little fluid on the knee that could be perfectly normal or could be the start of something becoming damaged. In my mind there must be something there otherwise why would it hurt? Anyway I have been refereed to the hospital to see a knee specialist. I will be off the bike for the next 6 weeks at least and really it depends on what the specialist says as whether it will be any longer.

I guess it's good that the x-rays didn't show any big problems but on the other hand it would be nice to know what the problem is.

My biggest disappointment though is just how much my summer is now screwed up. I spent all winter training to prepare for a summer of racing and ITT's and now that's basically out for the year. Even if I'm back riding by the end of June I won't be back to speed until late August at earliest. So much for the season...

I'm frankly miserable right now.

[vorlich]

That's crap. Time to start researching, speccing, building a new bike?

[Ray Young]

Sorry to hear that, it's no fun being injured when you had so much planned.

[barney]

that's bad news, I spent most of last year off the bike and although I'm not in the same category as you in terms of fitness/events I know how frustrating it is

Shall we expect a load more music then?

[slarge]

Neil, that's really bad news, but I hope your knee gets sorted. Are you able to do some no load spinning or anything like that to keep your legs turning ( I have no idea whether this is a good or bad thing to do, but keeping mobile always sounds like the right thing). Have a good look at your bike setup - maybe pay for a proper bike fit where they film you from front and side and use shims and stuff to iron out alignment problems.
Look on the bright side - when you have Sussed out what's wrong at least you'll be able to fix it. Chin up fella!

[Alpinum]

That's rather shitty. You think it's got some thing to do with those 2 or 3 knocks you got in Wales?

As a teenager I used to get sewere blows from crashing (despite wearing pads) and developed a so called Prepatellar bursitis. Everytime I go hard and long (any activity actually, but running and hiking is worst) without much preconditioning, my knees get sore. This will last for mostly about 2 months. Now the only thing I have to keep in mind to stay free of pain and injury is regular stress so the knees keep running smooth. So in my case, the more activity the better

Once you're healed up again your chances are big that you'll be able to carry on as you did before. I hope you'll get tons of motivation out of that. Get well soon.

[Bearbonesnorm]

On the brightside ... at least they're bothering to look. When I came back from the HT last year I couldn't walk, in fact I've never been in so much prolonged pain. A trip to the GP resulted in 'don't worry about it, it's just overuse'. No xray, no hospital, no nothing ... even explaining that if I can't ride I can't work made no difference.

I was able to resume riding (gently) after a few weeks and as long as I don't go too mad (mainly pushing too big a gear for too long) it holds out okay. It may never be the knee it used to be but it's okay.

[Blackhound]

Sorry to hear that Neil. I think the worst part is not knowing what the problem is. Try not to get to miserable and try and focus on something positive.
Anything you wanted to do but not had time to do due to cycling? Maybe learn how to use a video camera properly;-)

Maybe see you at BB200.

[Mart]

Ouch Neil, thats bad news, Sometimes its the not knowing whats causing it thats frustrating part. If you dont know what it is how can you treat it effectively? Sounds like they are taking it seroiusly, and doing the right tests etc

As someone who had 6 months on crutches a few years ago, I know how frustrating it can be (especially at the beginning)
The good news is that you now have time to do all those little maintenance jobs on the bike ... maybe build up another?

Take it easy fella and take the time to get better properly

[Zippy]

Bad news Neil, I think I know exactly how you feel. I'm in a bit of a similar situation (but further down the line) and had to cancel my Caingorms loop trip because of it. I've gone from doing 190miles a week commuting to now I think I'm on the mend again to I managed 25 miles this week...driving to work is so depressing. Mine was caused just as I was starting to find some form, I knocked my knee on the bars whilst doing a stoppie coz I was bored, didn't think much of it, then er er drafted someone on a time trial bike for about 20 miles @ 27mph or so, I'm on my flat bar commuting 9 speed cross bike here...knee started to hurt a little but thought nothing of it. Next day, to and from work was all kinds of pain...took rest of week off, and er yeah that didn't help, one thing lead to another and it's back to rehab over the most minor of knocks..

Chin up, I had a really depressing streak whilst I was finishing bits of coursework and having a heavy workload on whilst burning money in petrol, I think I'm starting to come out the other end, but be a good few months before I class myself as fit again. I can ride on the level no problems, out of saddle stuff / uphill I'm being super duper gentle and careful, and not any kind of big miles so the recovery gets a chance. You're not the only one Neil that has had these kind of setbacks, and many have bounced back., and just think, you can use the time to mend your bikes (well, that's what I've been doing..)
In short, you'll come out the other side, and probably be stronger for it. All the best for the recovery.

[composite]

Neil, that's really bad news, but I hope your knee gets sorted. Are you able to do some no load spinning or anything like that to keep your legs turning ( I have no idea whether this is a good or bad thing to do, but keeping mobile always sounds like the right thing). Have a good look at your bike setup - maybe pay for a proper bike fit where they film you from front and side and use shims and stuff to iron out alignment problems.
Look on the bright side - when you have Sussed out what's wrong at least you'll be able to fix it. Chin up fella!

I think it's the action of bending it that is the aggravating factor as opposed to the load going through it. I can sit with my leg out straight on the settee at home and that helps, if I sit in the car (for example) with it bent then it can make it hurt more than walking around. I think there is something about the specific angle that the knee is bent at that makes it hurt more.

Thought about bike fit. I will investigate a bit more.

That's rather shitty. You think it's got some thing to do with those 2 or 3 knocks you got in Wales?

Opposite knee. These 3 knocks were all on my left and this is my right knee. If it had been impact damage, some how that's somehow easier to reconcile. Over the years I have got used to that, this is the first time I have had what I'm thinking of as an overuse injury.

Anything you wanted to do but not had time to do due to cycling? Maybe learn how to use a video camera properly;-)

Not a lot to be fair. I might do some more photography I have neglected that a bit. Got the footage from a couple of videos I want to get done so I can work on those.

... and on the second comment.

The good news is that you now have time to do all those little maintenance jobs on the bike ... maybe build up another?

I built a new bike at the end of last year so don't really need anything else now. Wanted this year to be about riding bikes not buying them.

[jameso]

Sorry to hear that..

he said that actually he was very happy with how my knee looked in general. The 3 compartments all looked good, everything looked in the right place and I have plenty cushioning between the bones so arthritis is not likely to be an issue for me.

To this layman that ^ sounds positive so let's hope it's simply a precaution to rest and let it sort itself out and not become an issue in the first place. You'll not lose the base of fitness you have and racing is over-rated anyway : ) look forward to some more relaxed rides taking it all in, adventure is the essence of it all not pace, right?

[Farawayvisions]

Neil, that's a bit of a wallop. Sorry to hear that but as has been said already, you'll have a chance to get a few more videos together from old footage and maybe get out on foot to take new footage.

Get well soon and maybe you won't have to wait 6 weeks to get on the bike again. You're healthy, fit and well by the sound of things so you'll probably recover quicker than most.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think it's the action of bending it that is the aggravating factor as opposed to the load going through it. I can sit with my leg out straight on the settee at home and that helps, if I sit in the car (for example) with it bent then it can make it hurt more than walking around. I think there is something about the specific angle that the knee is bent at that makes it hurt more.

Neil have you considered shorter cranks? I dropped from 175mm to 170mm and could tell the difference (less bend at the knee). I'll go 165mm once I find some at the right price.

[jameso]

Neil have you considered shorter cranks? I dropped from 175mm to 170mm and could tell the difference (less bend at the knee). I'll go 165mm once I find some at the right price.

Sound advice, I really like the 170s on my road bike, seem to have less/no knee pain after longer days back to back, considering a swap on the bikepacker next as that's where knee stress really gets me at times (I'm 6' so usually 175mm is fine)

[Alpinum]

Alpinum wrote:That's rather shitty. You think it's got some thing to do with those 2 or 3 knocks you got in Wales?



Opposite knee. These 3 knocks were all on my left and this is my right knee. If it had been impact damage, some how that's somehow easier to reconcile. Over the years I have got used to that, this is the first time I have had what I'm thinking of as an overuse injury.

Nothing worse than not knowing from where it has come from.

[composite]

I think it's the action of bending it that is the aggravating factor as opposed to the load going through it. I can sit with my leg out straight on the settee at home and that helps, if I sit in the car (for example) with it bent then it can make it hurt more than walking around. I think there is something about the specific angle that the knee is bent at that makes it hurt more.

Neil have you considered shorter cranks? I dropped from 175mm to 170mm and could tell the difference (less bend at the knee). I'll go 165mm once I find some at the right price.

It's not something I have thought about at all. I think they are 170mm on all my bikes but I'm not really sure tbh. I'll have a look at that tonight. Thanks.

[Charliecres]

That's grim, Composite. Healing vibes

[ChrisF]

Sorry to hear that. Can I offer a bit of advice based on a bit of experience of knee troubles...

If you can afford, go and see a private physio, but make sure he/she is very good. Get recommendations from serious runners/cyclists etc. One who can deal with biomechanics/postural stuff is best.and will help you in the long term. The physio may well be able to diagnose the problem too, If you end up with surgery, a good physio will help with rehab too. My exoerience with NHS physios is dire. Many of them aren't used to dealing with 'athletes' and if you can walk, they've tcked the box.

Be aware that X rays are very limited in what they can show, the majority of overuse type injuries are soft tissue based and X rays don't help much on that. Your 'specialist' (I'm assuming he'll be an orthapaedic consultant) may well send you for a scan. Insist on this if you can - it'll help in getting a proper diagnosis.

If the specialist wants to do some surgery make sure you are happy that he is very good at what he does,,, the difference between the very good and the very average is significant, and you have a long time to regret it if he doesn't do a good job. You can request that your GPs refer you to your chosen specialist/surgeon (a good physio will point you in the right direction). I have just done this recently and my GPs were fine about it.
Good luck and don't despair!

[Richpips]

Bad news,

I found some stuff a while back saying really short cranks ie 140mm put less strain on the knee, with no loss of power.

[Matt]

I had a similar thing last year

Turner out to be a Meniscus tear and I had an arthroscopy done

It seems to be fixed but it was 6 months of taking steady ops and waiting etc.

[ericrobo]

Bad news and very very frustrating...
I thought I should do a reply to say that in all this rehab/waiting don't forget to keep using the knees. Obviously you will have to decide how light and gentle you go - very gently I would say, but the thing is (unless there is a physical tear or something) gentle gentle use must help.
I've not had knee problems, but I do a few squats every morning, and do squats before starting a ride... got that advice from a keen mtb racer years ago.
Steve Large is right, so don't neglect using...

All the best, here's to a very speedy recovery.

[composite]

Sorry to hear that. Can I offer a bit of advice based on a bit of experience of knee troubles...

If you can afford, go and see a private physio, but make sure he/she is very good. Get recommendations from serious runners/cyclists etc. One who can deal with biomechanics/postural stuff is best.and will help you in the long term. The physio may well be able to diagnose the problem too, If you end up with surgery, a good physio will help with rehab too. My exoerience with NHS physios is dire. Many of them aren't used to dealing with 'athletes' and if you can walk, they've tcked the box.

Be aware that X rays are very limited in what they can show, the majority of overuse type injuries are soft tissue based and X rays don't help much on that. Your 'specialist' (I'm assuming he'll be an orthapaedic consultant) may well send you for a scan. Insist on this if you can - it'll help in getting a proper diagnosis.

If the specialist wants to do some surgery make sure you are happy that he is very good at what he does,,, the difference between the very good and the very average is significant, and you have a long time to regret it if he doesn't do a good job. You can request that your GPs refer you to your chosen specialist/surgeon (a good physio will point you in the right direction). I have just done this recently and my GPs were fine about it.
Good luck and don't despair!

Not sure I can afford it but I'm going to look into it.

Doctor said that the knee guy would probably want to get it scanned but that would be a decision for him.

I had a similar thing last year

Turner out to be a Meniscus tear and I had an arthroscopy done

It seems to be fixed but it was 6 months of taking steady ops and waiting etc.

When I was reading up on different common knee injuries a torn Meniscus did seem to describe perfectly what I was feeling. I guess yours was quite severe to require surgery?

[Matt]

When I was reading up on different common knee injuries a torn Meniscus did seem to describe perfectly what I was feeling. I guess yours was quite severe to require surgery?

Not really, kept flaring up, although did the 2013 WRT with it, after seeing a consultant and a MRI i was given the option to leave it it but it will never get better only worse so they went in and trimmed it. Reports post op was it was quite bad and worth doing the surgery.

[composite]

So I managed an easy 30 miles today, which is my first proper ride since the WRT. It went OK and and I had no pain so fingers crossed it's healed. Going to gradually up the distance over the coming weeks and see how it goes. Really hoping this is for real as state of mind is at an all time low at the moment and being able to get back on my bike will really help.