Weird feeling in knee

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roadieboy
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Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:19 am

by roadieboy

I don't tend to get any creaking out of it, what really helped me get over the worst of the problem was picking up a foam roller. ITB, inner thighs, quads, and hamstrings, I roll everything after training, and that has helped so much.

When I was having a lot of trouble with my knee, I went to an orthopedic specialist, he checked everything out, and decided that the synovial tissue in my knee had not receded properly when I was growing, leaving an abnormally large plica.

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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

roadieboy wrote:I don't tend to get any creaking out of it, what really helped me get over the worst of the problem was picking up a foam roller. ITB, inner thighs, quads, and hamstrings, I roll everything after training, and that has helped so much.

When I was having a lot of trouble with my knee, I went to an orthopedic specialist, he checked everything out, and decided that the synovial tissue in my knee had not receded properly when I was growing, leaving an abnormally large plica.

And what did you do with your plica? I read on Internet that you can surgery. Did you solve this problem with exercise and stretches? I hope there would be the solution

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roadieboy
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by roadieboy

The doctor did recommend the surgery, however, I decided that knowing the problem, I'd try to work it out myself. I stretch a lot, and if it begins to act up, I just take some time off.

I am at a point now where it really doesn't hold me back, over 3,000 miles on the road and 2,000 on the mountain bike so far this year without any episodes lasting more than two days.

I'd really urge you to get a good foam roller, as it is what helped me the most.

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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

roadieboy wrote:The doctor did recommend the surgery, however, I decided that knowing the problem, I'd try to work it out myself. I stretch a lot, and if it begins to act up, I just take some time off.

I am at a point now where it really doesn't hold me back, over 3,000 miles on the road and 2,000 on the mountain bike so far this year without any episodes lasting more than two days.

I'd really urge you to get a good foam roller, as it is what helped me the most.


I wouldn't go to surgery definitely as it isn't a big pain for me. Anyway, what type of stretches are you doin in the foam? I have one, but I dont use it a lot because it's painful (but also relax your muscles a lot) Do you use it post-ride or before only for stretching? Thanks you one more time,

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roadieboy
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by roadieboy

I mainly do the adductor and IT band stretches illistrated here (http://www.rumbleroller.com/foam-roller-exercises.html). I do roll my quads, hamstrings, and lats (after a swim!), but I think the IT band and adductor stretches do the most for me. I have had really good luck with the Rumble Roller, though, if you are uncomfortable with a standard roller, it might be painful to use. I had to build up to it!

I usually roll after riding, but if I feel tight, I'll roll beforehand as well.

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Kermithimself
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by Kermithimself

Well me knee acted up again yesterday. Had to stop an easy ride after 24 minutes because it was uncomfortable. This time the flicking feeling was back, after being gone for a while, so I did some reading and research and think I might have found something that seems plausible. Plica medialis syndrome, which is probably what you guys have mentioned as well. And also found this picture that pretty much sums it up
Image

Have written to my doctor to have them look at it again, and also contacted a physio that uses ultrasound. Would be nice to get some information of what it really is.
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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

Is it in the internal face of your knee or just the external? I mean external face where itb band is located too.

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Kermithimself
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by Kermithimself

Do you mean outside or inside?
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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

Kermithimself wrote:Do you mean outside or inside?

I was feeling this problem in right side on my right knee(viewed from my point of view) or as you said "outside"knee

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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

Doub to this, I think that my itb band is also involved in the issue

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Rick
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by Rick

I never realized, until this thread, but apparently "Plica medialis syndrome" is exactly what I have on my left knee (inside).
It acts up occasionally, but fortunately does not seem to act up during cycling specifically. It get aggravated sometimes if I kneel down, or when I am lifting weights, such as leg extensions. I learned that I can do leg extensions with heavy weights if I actually press on the spot on my knee during the exercise to prevent the "plica" from snapping over the "medialis".
Cycling doesn't create quite enough leg flexure to cause it, but leg exercises do!

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Kermithimself
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by Kermithimself

Thought I'd give another update on the matter. Still have a weird feeling in my knee. Got it checked with ultrasound by a PT, and it showed a little water in the knee, but no inflammation. This could be because I hadn't been riding my bike for 2 weeks leading up to the examination. He was pretty sure it was plica synovialis, which is inflammation of the plica band. Treatment so far has been to stretch, use ice after every workout, only ride short rides on the bike and get the blood flowing, and when I'm at the PT's he "massages" the place where the plica is, trying to get some sort of reaction.

My next treatment is January 13th, and if there's no improvement I'll have to seek other means. As it is right now, I haven't had a proper training session for almost 2,5 months, which is really frustrating. I had every intention of doing good in the upcoming season, and one of my goals was to advance to top level in my country.
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J0s3m4
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by J0s3m4

My problem in my knee was doubt to a saddle too high. I noticed last week that my road bikes were 84,2 cm tall when I used to ride 81 cm on my indoor bike.
I have measured my inseam (90,1cm) and then adjusted my recommended height (80cm) for all of my bike and I ride comfy

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Kermithimself
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by Kermithimself

J0s3m4 wrote:My problem in my knee was doubt to a saddle too high. I noticed last week that my road bikes were 84,2 cm tall when I used to ride 81 cm on my indoor bike.
I have measured my inseam (90,1cm) and then adjusted my recommended height (80cm) for all of my bike and I ride comfy

Good to hear. Quite a bit difference between your indoor ride and your road bikes.
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drmutley
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by drmutley

It may be a plica issue... Given your recurrent symptoms I would...

1) Ride and stir it up
2) Get your doctor to organise an MRI for a definitive diagnosis

If it is a Plica issue u have 2 choices... Surgical or conservative

A) Surgical excision is easy, quick, doesn't keep u off the bike long (ie if u were a pro you would be training in 10 to 14 days... Surgical excision is also curative, as long as the initial diagnosis is correct - hence the MRI post ride

B) conservative management would involve some local treatment and prophylactic exercises BUT minor modifications to your bike fit would be the key to minimise irritation on the Plica.
Ie) lower saddle a little, assess the need for medial cleat wedging etc. If you can unload the medial (inside) aspect of your knee you will probably escape needing any surgical correction...


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