TMBRA - Rider Board

 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Knee pain revisited..

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    TMBRA - Rider Board Forum Index -> Ask the Bike Doc
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
z0s01
100+


Joined: 10 Aug 2003
Posts: 148

PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:40 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Knee pain revisited.. Reply with quote

Been having a little pain in the back of my left knee almost where the calf would be attached after hard rides and races lately...lingers for a day or two. I' thinking it is a cleat placement issue in which I need to slide the cleat back a little so my foot is slightly further forward. But I'd be open to thoughts.

Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The Bike Doc
250+


Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 1398
Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 7:12 am GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

z0s01:

The pain and location you describe is consistent with tendon strain from the calf muscles insertion into the lower part of the femur. You can over stress this area if your saddle is too high or too far back. You should have the bend in your knees at around 20 degrees for mountain biking and 10 degrees for road biking. If your knees bend less than these numbers you will be over extending your knee and straining the tendons.

If you have one leg shorter then the other, in your case it would likely be the left leg, then shims may be in order to raise your left foot up enough to compensate for the leg shortness. If there is a significant enough discrepency in the leg length that cannot be overcome with shims, then a shorter left crank arm would be appropriate, though an expensive alternative. You should get a crank arm of a length shorter than the right equal to the leg length discrepency. For example if your right leg is 10 mm longer than your left, then you should get a crank arm that is 10mm shorter such as a 175mm on the right and a 165 on the left.

Get an evaluation by a Physical Therapist familiar with measuring leg length discrepancies. Also, ask the therapist about stretching exercises for the the legs to help limber up the knees. Bob Anderson's book "Stretching" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0936070226/qid=1078422567/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-5296357-5677419 is an excellent resource for teaching you how to properly stretch.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    TMBRA - Rider Board Forum Index -> Ask the Bike Doc All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group