What have I done to my leg?

[Brandane]

My cycling mileage has been seriously curtailed after starting work again at the start of September, just when I was getting fit! It's weekends only for me just now, and even then only when the weather allows.

A couple of weeks ago I was out and was climbing a short and not steep by any means, hill. I was standing on the pedals when I felt something "go" in my right leg. It feels like the muscle that runs down the back of the leg, behind the knee. It's not particularly sore, but quite painful when I stretch my leg. I thought it was getting better after a week or so, and stupidly went out on the bike again. Nothing strenuous, in fact I made sure there was no hills by choosing a 20 mile ride on Sustrans disused railway paths. Following day my leg stiffened up and was painful again.

Have now laid off the bike and I am back to where I was a week ago pain-wise. Not wanting to risk it, so I am now off the bike until this injury clears up. Making an appointment for NHS physio is a waste of time. Done that before and you have to wait at least 4 months to see a physio.

Any ideas what I might have done? How long before I can expect to be fully fit again?

 

[Matthew_T]

Strangely I think I have the same thing in my left knee. It does hurt as much but when I stretch it, it makes a pulling pain. But when I am riding, it doesnt affect me.
I dont know how to solve your problem though

 

[xxmimixx]

have you both considered going to a clinic where there are physicians trained and qualified to treat sport injuries? This is where I would go if I felt pain/discomfort that could not get rid of using common remedies...

 

[vickster]

Do you always stretch properly after exercise including cycling, the tightness could be shortened muscles?

To the OP, it is worth seeing a GP or even better paying for a private sports physio if you have the money (usually around £40-50 a session)...you could have torn a tendon or a ligament and are best not to take chances

Also, RICE properly

 

[mikeoc]

The muscles involved in knee extension are the quads, but they insert onto the patella via the patella ligament, so that shouldn't cause you pain at the back of the knee. You may have tweaked your posterior cruciate ligament, altho that is normally caused by impact to the knee so I'm not convinced that is the case. You could even go to your gp as the standard test for that Is quite straightforward. Theres also a all muscle directly behind the knee called the popliteal, which may be involved. RICE will help, as the Vickster says, but I would see someone privately if I were you.

 

[Matthew_T]

I'm not going to see anyone, pain is minimal. But if the OP is having difficulty with it then go see someone.

 

[Glover Fan]

Have a look at saddle height, it could be too high.

 

[cyberknight]

Have a look at saddle height, it could be too high.

My thoughts as well, saddle to far back can also affect it as pushing the saddle back effectively increases saddle height.

heres some reading ..
http://www.cptips.com/knee.htm

 

[Brandane]

Thanks for replies/suggestions. I don't think it can be saddle height though; as I have done about 3500 miles so far this year with the bike set up as it is and had no problems until now. I am thinking along the lines of having suddenly seen my mileage drop that I have just pushed things a bit too hard when my legs have become a bit less used to it.

If things don't improve significantly this week then I will have to go and see a private physio, but the cost and getting time off work to attend might be a problem.

 

[vickster]

Private physios tend to have pretty flexible hours unlike the NHS

Rest it, ice it, don't do anything that makes it hurt