travellingwest
Active Member
Does anyone have a problem with their kneecaps not tracking properly and have found a knee support that helps, and can be worn comfortably whilst cycling?
Patella tracking - knee support
- Thread starter travellingwest
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I have not tried a support but have recently noticed that my right kneecap started clicking as I walk downstairs. I also noticed signs of it during a turbo trainer session last night.
I naturally walk and cycle slightly 'toes out' but I think that I had been overdoing the outward turn. I tried walking with my feet more parallel and the clicking stopped! I will try the same on the bike next time.
Maybe adjusting your foot angle would help? If you use clipless pedals they can force your feet into the wrong position unless you are very careful to adjust the cleat angles properly.
Assuming that you do use clipless, adjust the cleats so that there is the same amount of float in both directions. If you don't do that it is easy to run out of float at some point in the pedal stroke.
I naturally walk and cycle slightly 'toes out' but I think that I had been overdoing the outward turn. I tried walking with my feet more parallel and the clicking stopped! I will try the same on the bike next time.
Maybe adjusting your foot angle would help? If you use clipless pedals they can force your feet into the wrong position unless you are very careful to adjust the cleat angles properly.
Assuming that you do use clipless, adjust the cleats so that there is the same amount of float in both directions. If you don't do that it is easy to run out of float at some point in the pedal stroke.
newts
Veteran
- Location
- Isca Dumnoniorum
My right knee used to fall away by c70mm during the pedal revolution causing pain on the inside of the knee. This was picked up during a bike fit by shining a vertical laser line through the pedal stroke & then filming me riding on a turbo trainer. A couple of wedges under the cleat of my shoe straightened it up & the knee pain settled quickly. Some IT band exercises to strengthen the hip in tandem with the wedges was also advised.
midlandsgrimpeur
Senior Member
As mentioned above, are you using clipless pedals or flat pedals with trainers/non cycling shoes? If it is the latter then clipless pedals will likely be better as they keep the leg 'locked' in a more stable position, and as above, things like wedges can enhance this.
If you are already clipless then I would be sceptical of the standard Velcro fastening knee support type of thing you'd pick up from a chemist. I don't really see how they would keep the patella in place. You could try something like leukotape but this has the disadvantage of being disposable.
Neither of my kneecaps actually sit in the groove, they both slide off at odd angles (first time the ortho consultant had ever seen this!). It doesn't really cause me issues but I think that is because the whole chain from hip to ankle is kept stable through the pedal stroke thanks to a properly fitting bike and shoes/pedals that work for me.
If you are already clipless then I would be sceptical of the standard Velcro fastening knee support type of thing you'd pick up from a chemist. I don't really see how they would keep the patella in place. You could try something like leukotape but this has the disadvantage of being disposable.
Neither of my kneecaps actually sit in the groove, they both slide off at odd angles (first time the ortho consultant had ever seen this!). It doesn't really cause me issues but I think that is because the whole chain from hip to ankle is kept stable through the pedal stroke thanks to a properly fitting bike and shoes/pedals that work for me.
Chief Broom
Veteran
I noticed my footprints when walking on a beach, my left foot was straight ahead whilst my right was an inch or two to the right. I use toe clips and added a spacer to one side of the right one so it towed out a bit this corrected and aligned my right foot to where it wanted to be, i cant remember the last time my knee was clicking. 
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
This photo of the sole of one of my sandals shows how poor my gait has been...
That is the back of my left sandal. It is clear from the uneven wear that my foot has been rolling onto the outside of the heel. I am sure that that isn't good for the knees or other parts of the leg.
That is the back of my left sandal. It is clear from the uneven wear that my foot has been rolling onto the outside of the heel. I am sure that that isn't good for the knees or other parts of the leg.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I doubt a knee support would help as it would have to be so tight to stop the kneecap moving that it would limit knee flexion .
As said above i would discuss it with a sports physio and a good bike fitter , not one who just does it by the numbers.
I had a recurrent issue for over 6 months last year that took a long time to get right which i worked out myself in the end as the physio at the doctors and the consultant i saw even after the mri couldn’t work it out .
As said above i would discuss it with a sports physio and a good bike fitter , not one who just does it by the numbers.
I had a recurrent issue for over 6 months last year that took a long time to get right which i worked out myself in the end as the physio at the doctors and the consultant i saw even after the mri couldn’t work it out .
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Does the problem only arise during cycling?
OP
OP
travellingwest
Active Member
No, it doesn't. But cycling has made it worse.
Thanks all for advice, I think I need to refer to the physiotherapy service and get my entire gait checked. That seems the sensible starting point.
Thanks all for advice, I think I need to refer to the physiotherapy service and get my entire gait checked. That seems the sensible starting point.
vickster
Squire
If in the UK, go straight to a private sports physio with cycling interest / knee specialism if you can rather than waiting for the NHS who'll probably just give you some exercises to do to optimise the muscles around the knee / glutes etc
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
yes thats pretty much what they did for me and it didnt really help , in fact they tried that for a long time to " cure " a torn meniscus .
vickster
Squire
It's what they do nowadays if said tear is due to degenerate tissue (age related) rather than an acute injury and if they affect range or cause giving way. All 4 of my meniscii have degenerate tears in arthritic joints but as pain is my only symptom and not locking/buckling, I will not be having more surgery. Removing meniscus can cause more issues with arthritis going forwards - torn tissue better than no tissue!
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
they tried for a good 6 months with the pain getting worse even doing the exercises to the point where i had a limp, couldn’t do stairs very well etc .
nogoodnamesleft
Well-Known Member
My knee issues are only when cycling and apparently (according to physio investigating) VMO (unsure if that is OP's issue). I find physio tape helps a lot and sometimes jumpers knee straps both fine whilst cycling.
