Knee advice needed

[redrum]

Hi all,

I've recently been diagnosed with anterior knee(s) and wondered if cycling would be a good way to strengthen the knee muscles or if it would make the problem worse?

Has anyone ever suffered with anterior knee? How did you overcome it?

Any advice would be great as I really do want to get back on my bike (it's been 2years since I last rode and I have arthritis in my ankle too)

Thanks.

 

[vickster]

What is anterior knee? What are the symptoms?

Cycling generally a knee friendly activity as long as don't go mad initially, bike set up correctly and spinning rather than grinding

I would cycle in conjunction with a tailored programme from a sports physio

 

[Crackle]

I have anterior knee pain but it may not be the same thing that's causing it. Do you know the cause?

 

[PK99]

Hi all,

I've recently been diagnosed with anterior knee(s) and wondered if cycling would be a good way to strengthen the knee muscles or if it would make the problem worse?

Has anyone ever suffered with anterior knee? How did you overcome it?

Any advice would be great as I really do want to get back on my bike (it's been 2years since I last rode and I have arthritis in my ankle too)

Thanks.

Ignore all advice you read on here... except mine!

Go see a specialist sports physiotherapist and take their advice.

A good practice will be happy to provide whatever level of service you want to pay for from a single diagnosis & advice appointment to a full course of treatment.

 

[vickster]

Is that not what I said

 

[redrum]

Thank you everyone.

Vickster in answer to your question, anterior knee is where the muscles that hold the knee cap in place become weak. If I don't strengthen them then the muscles may snap (according to the doctor). The symptoms for me are a general constant pain around the whole knee, crackle is this what you have?

I'll have a look to see what sports physics are round near me. Fingers crossed I'll be back on my bike soon

 

[PK99]

Is that not what I said

not quite, you said cycle, it's knee friendly.

when i had a knee tendon issue a while ago the advice from the physio was rest till it settled then progressive exercise to strengthen specific muscles. Every injury/person will be different.

 

[Crackle]

Thank you everyone.

Vickster in answer to your question, anterior knee is where the muscles that hold the knee cap in place become weak. If I don't strengthen them then the muscles may snap (according to the doctor). The symptoms for me are a general constant pain around the whole knee, crackle is this what you have?

I'll have a look to see what sports physics are round near me. Fingers crossed I'll be back on my bike soon

No. My anterior knee pain is caused by a badly tracking patella, in turn caused by every muscle in my leg tightening up and pulling it out of place, in turn caused by running too far and having an inadequate stretching regime, in turn caused by totally ignoring the symptoms because I didn't know they were symptoms.

Your diagnosis sounds odd and nothing like I've ever heard before. Doctors, don't know an awful lot about sports physio and I'd be seeking a referral if I were you. Strengthening the muscles around the knee is though, quite a common way of dealing with anterior knee pain, so I assume you've been given strengthening exercises?

http://www.knee-pain-explained.com/

 

[ayceejay]

"Anterior knee" is so vague as to be virtually meaningless and as for then the muscles may snap I would suggest you ignore everything this doctor has said and get some professional help. Anterior knee pain as Crackle says is connected with the knee cap and how it relates to the femur, problems often occur due to tight leg muscles and this means the whole leg as they all in one way or another support the knee. Cycling will definitely help but remember that as well as strengthening this will further tighten the muscles so stretching/pilates will also be necessary but first get a proper diagnosis.

 

[PK99]

"Anterior knee" is so vague as to be virtually meaningless and as for then the muscles may snap I would suggest you ignore everything this doctor has said and get some professional help. Anterior knee pain as Crackle says is connected with the knee cap and how it relates to the femur, problems often occur due to tight leg muscles and this means the whole leg as they all in one way or another support the knee. Cycling will definitely help but remember that as well as strengthening this will further tighten the muscles so stretching/pilates will also be necessary but first get a proper diagnosis.

Please don't make such categorical statements. The advice from my physio was "do not cycle until the inflammation has settled" (he having corrected the poor tracking of a tendon by the application of external strapping tape)

The only medical advice that is worth following on any internet group is "See a specialist"

 

[ayceejay]

Please don't make such categorical statements. The advice from my physio was "do not cycle until the inflammation has settled" (he having corrected the poor tracking of a tendon by the application of external strapping tape)

The only medical advice that is worth following on any internet group is "See a specialist"

Which is what I said isn't it?
You are right in saying that "Every injury/person will be different" and consequently an accurate diagnosis is essential - for instance the OP who I was answering doesn't mention inflammation as was your case and so what was right for you may not be right for another but in the main cycling will help in the strengthening of the knee which is what I said but obviously this will be part of the rehabilitation if there is an injury present.

 

[redrum]

Hi all,
I've taken your advice and I'm going to see a sports physio on Saturday.
@ayceejay, it wasn't the doctor that told me about the muscles snapping, I read that online.
Since my first post I've been trying to do some long walks (first a 7mile then a 3 mile) in my lunch break which seems to have caused some slight swelling in my knee - which is good as I have my appointment sat.
@Crackle, that sounds painful, have you found he exercises have helped? I've been given some exercises (the doctor printed them off for me) but they don't seem to be helping but again that's something that I'll raise on sat, fingers crossed it helps.

 

[Mandragora]

Ask about swimming while you're at the physio - if it's exercise you're after (ie not necessarily cycling) and are looking for something which will help your knee.

 

[ayceejay]

Actually swelling in the knee is not good an I would suggest keeping the leg straight and elevated with an ice pack (frozen peas) on the knee as much as is practical, a strap to isolate the knee at work could also help. The fluid that causes the swelling is a warning sign so don't ignore it.

 

[redrum]

Ask about swimming while you're at the physio - if it's exercise you're after (ie not necessarily cycling) and are looking for something which will help your knee.

Thanks, will do. I did use to go swimming but haven't been for a few years either due to it causing issues with my ankle (turns out that was arthritis!). Will def mention it though.