Cycling can be beneficial for your knees in a rehabilitation program after surgery. But cycling professionally, recreationally or for transportation also can result in knee pain. Overuse injuries and improper use of equipment can cause knee pain for cyclists. Cyclists can help prevent noncontact knee injuries by altering training routines and using cycling equipment properly.
Overuse Injuries
Cyclists are prone to repetitive stress injuries from improper use of equipment and training too hard, according to the Dewitt Army Community Hospital and reported in the April 2004 issue of "The Physician and Sports Medicine." Improper frame size and seat height can cause knee pain, along with cycling too far.
Retro-Cycling
Retro-cycling is pedaling backward and typically performed on a stationary bicycle. This way of cycling is effective for people with certain knee conditions but contraindicated for others, according to the Palo Alto Health Care System in California. Those with menisci damage or osteoarthritis can benefit from retro-cycling. Those with patellofemoral pain, anterior cruciate ligament injuries or surgical knee reconstruction should not retro-cycle.
Professional Cyclists
Knee injuries plague professional cyclists, according to a review conducted by the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences in Norway and reported in the December 2010 issue of the "American Journal of Sports Medicine." More than 100 elite athletes who cycle professionally filled out questionnaires about injuries incurred over the previous 12 months. The data revealed 23 percent had experienced a knee injury, 36 percent had experienced anterior knee pain and of those who experienced that pain, 19 percent sought medical attention. Of those cyclists who lost time training due to an injury, 57 percent were knee injuries.
After Knee Surgery
Cycling can be a beneficial part of a rehabilitation program after knee surgery when approved by your health professional, according to the Stanford University Biomotion Laboratory. Patients following a rehabilitative program begin cycling on a stationary bicycle because the ride is steady and predictable, reducing the risk of injury. As the patient heals, she can add outdoor cycling to her rehabilitation routine when approved by her health professional.
References
- "American Journal of Sports Medicine"; Overuse Injuries In Professional Cyclists; B. Clarsen, et al.; December 2010
- "The Physician and Sports Medicine"; Knee Pain and Bicycling: Fitting Concepts for Clinicians; C. Asplund, et al.; April 2004
- Stanford University; Dynamic Changes in Anterior/Posterior Translation and Internal/External Rotation of the Knee During Cycling; Ajit M. Chaudhari, et al.
- American Council on Exercise; Is "Retro-Cycling" a Good Activity for Individuals with Knee Problems?; Cedric X. Bryant; November/December 2004
- "Harefuah"; Knee Injury in Cyclers; Y. Berkovich, et al.; November 2010
