The repetitive flexion and extension of your knees and hips during cycling can result in overuse injuries to those joints and surrounding soft tissue. Overuse injuries common to cycling include iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendinitis. Treatment includes rest, ice, elevation and compression, also known as RICE. Consult your physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Your iliotibial band, or IT band, is a band of fibrous tissue on the outside of your leg that extends from your knee to your hip. The repetitive knee and hip movements of cycling can lead to a tight IT band, causing it to rub on your knee and hip. Over time, your IT band can become inflamed, which is called iliotibial band syndrome. Symptoms include pain as well as snapping and stiffness at your knee or hip. Iliotibial band syndrome may also lead to bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa sacs underneath your IT band at your hip and knee joints.
Tendinitis
Tendons anchor your muscles to your bones. Tendinitis is when your tendons become irritated and inflamed, usually due to overuse. Since your thigh muscles are excessively used during cycling, hip flexor and patellar tendinitis are the most common. Achilles tendinitis may develop due to cycling as well, but is less common. Symptoms include pain, swelling and a crackling sound, or crepitus, over the affected tendon. As tendinitis advances, you may experience muscle weakness, popping with movement and thickening of the tendon. Chronic tendinitis also reduces your tendon's strength, increasing your risk of a tendon strain.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellorfemoral pain syndrome, or PFPS, is a term used for general knee and kneecap pain. The stress placed on your knee during cycling, muscle imbalances between your hamstrings and quadriceps muscles and misalignment of your kneecap might contribute to PFPS. According to a 2008 article in the journal "Dynamic Medicine," injuries such as iliotibial band syndrome, tendinitis and chondromalacia, or fraying of the cartilage underneath your kneecap, can also lead to PFPS. Besides pain, you may experience swelling, grinding and muscle weakness.
Treatment and Prevention
For overuse injuries, rest is one of the best remedies because it eliminates the main cause of injury. To reduce pain and swelling, ice, wear a compression garment and elevate your leg. Take anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen if pain and swelling persist. Stretching and massaging your IT band and thigh muscles may help to increase flexibility and promote healing. Corticosteroid injections and physical therapy may also help you recover, with the approval of your physician.
When returning to cycling, adjust your seat, handlebars and pedals to avoid reinjury. For example, raise or lower your seat so your knee is slightly flexed when the pedal is in the lowest position. Other preventive measures include recovery between cycling days, stretching your legs and hips regularly, and strengthening your hamstrings and gluteus muscles.
References
- "Canadian Family Physician"; Cycling Injuries; Gloria C. Cohen, M.D.; 1993
- "American Family Physician"; Common Problems of an Endurance Athlete; David. D. Cosca, M.D., et al.; July 2007
- "Dynamic Medicine"; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): A Systematic Review of Anatomy and Potential Risk Factors; Gregory R Waryasz, et al.; June 2008
- "International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy"; An Update for Conservative Mangement of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Systemic Review of The Literature from 2000 to 2010; Lori A. Bolgla, P.T., P.h.D., A.T.C., et al.; June 2011
- "Rheumatology"; Current Concepts in the Management of Tendon Disorders; J. D. Rees, et al.; 2006
Member Comments