Discussion
I have been doing a lot of running and cycling recently. I am overweight, although have lost a lot.
Everything has been fine up to last weekend when after a run I noticed that my left knee now clicks when I walk up the stairs. If I put my hand over my knee and squat I can feel something move as I hear the click.
There is no pain or swelling. Dr Google tells me that if there is no pain or swelling it probably is nothing to worry about.
I am doing a triathlon this weekend and after that will be taking a well earn rest.
Anyway I was thinking I should probably get it checked out. I don't really want to waste my GPs time as I am not in pain. Should I go straight to a private physio? I have very flat feet and custom orthotics. Should I go back to the podiatrist instead?
Everything has been fine up to last weekend when after a run I noticed that my left knee now clicks when I walk up the stairs. If I put my hand over my knee and squat I can feel something move as I hear the click.
There is no pain or swelling. Dr Google tells me that if there is no pain or swelling it probably is nothing to worry about.
I am doing a triathlon this weekend and after that will be taking a well earn rest.
Anyway I was thinking I should probably get it checked out. I don't really want to waste my GPs time as I am not in pain. Should I go straight to a private physio? I have very flat feet and custom orthotics. Should I go back to the podiatrist instead?
I have exactly the same thing! I got up in the night to use the loo, and as I walked back upstairs I heard this clicking noise... it was my right knee! It doesn't hurt in any way, but pretty sure it's not doing me any good. Again, Googled but no obvious explanation... sorry, that's no help but at least you're not alone! 
944fan said:
Clicking knee brothers!
Very odd. Someone I work with said theirs has done it for years.
If I clench the little finger on my left hand it locks and needs a lot of effort to straighten it. Has done it for over 20 years now.Very odd. Someone I work with said theirs has done it for years.
The OPs knee issue is probably caused by a muscle imbalance from the running. Either some strength exercises to balance it out or sports massage to loosen something off are likely to be the solution.
I used to run a lot and often had those sorts of things, usually something like that would start to hurt soon enough and sorting it out sooner rather than later would be best. I wold start with sports massage to clear any knots and tightness and then see a physio if that doesn't find a likely cause or fix it.
Cool thanks. I had a sports massage the day before but he only did the lumbar region and calves as that was aching. Having another one post race next week so will get the quads and hamstrings attended to.
When you say muscle imbalance how would I tell which is weaker and to focus on ? Should the quads be stronger than the hammies?
When you say muscle imbalance how would I tell which is weaker and to focus on ? Should the quads be stronger than the hammies?
944fan said:
Cool thanks. I had a sports massage the day before but he only did the lumbar region and calves as that was aching. Having another one post race next week so will get the quads and hamstrings attended to.
When you say muscle imbalance how would I tell which is weaker and to focus on ? Should the quads be stronger than the hammies?
Quads = four muscles! When you say muscle imbalance how would I tell which is weaker and to focus on ? Should the quads be stronger than the hammies?
I have similar clicking but it comes and goes. Sometimes it hurts and other times it keeps clicking till I've sort of warmed up to the movement.They said it was due to muscle imbalance causing the knee cap to be pulled out of place.
Physio gave me some exercises to do which sort of helped but the only way it stops is if I take a rest from exercise which isn't an option. I've a foam roller and try to stretch regularly but sometimes I forget/get distracted
I fell through my schools roof when I was younger and completely ruined the cartilage in my left knee. For a few years after leaving school it would click and lock in place at the most awkward of times until one day it gave way, during a PT test. Ended up getting an Arthroscopy and was quite disgruntled about having a buggered knee at such a young age, have to say though, it has completely alleviated any issues I had in my knee, the locking and clicking stopped!
The surgery itself is a day job, in on the morning and home at night, I was advised not to walk on it for 24 hours after waking up but being 18 at the time I stood up about 30 minutes after coming round!
General knee upkeep is something that's going to diminish with age, sad state of affairs I'm afraid, but regular movement under light load and consistent stretching will see it strengthen up! low pace cycling is great for engagement combined with hamstring/quad work, weighted extensions on a slow contraction and a controlled negative will help!
The surgery itself is a day job, in on the morning and home at night, I was advised not to walk on it for 24 hours after waking up but being 18 at the time I stood up about 30 minutes after coming round!
General knee upkeep is something that's going to diminish with age, sad state of affairs I'm afraid, but regular movement under light load and consistent stretching will see it strengthen up! low pace cycling is great for engagement combined with hamstring/quad work, weighted extensions on a slow contraction and a controlled negative will help!
944fan said:
Wacky Racer said:
Google Arthroscopy....
Seems a bit extreme for something with no pain nor obvious negative connotations.My knee "clicked" and sometimes locked in place and I had some pain six years ago..had the op....(Simple 20 mins keyhole surgery)...been fine since.
But obviously everyone's different, I realise that.
I'm 62 btw.
I had this , with clunking and then loads of discomfort for a week . I had the saddle too low on one of my bikes and upped the miles to 150miles+ a week and rode single speed too much up too many big hills
I saw a physio , first one was a bit ineffectual, second was really good but expensive. He diagnosed muscle imbalances, which were affecting my knee, he checked it all out and then gave me a workout program. Some of the exercises looked so simple, but were so bloody hard, I guess this clearly showed how some muscles were weak and others too strong from cycling and sitting all day
Took me about 2-3 months of stretching, foam rollering and Physio exercises my knee still clicks but feels good again and physio has signed me off.
I wouldn't worry about clicks unless there was any pain/discomfort, as 2 x physios told me , although it is soo much easier dealing with injuries and imbalances before they get worse
I saw a physio , first one was a bit ineffectual, second was really good but expensive. He diagnosed muscle imbalances, which were affecting my knee, he checked it all out and then gave me a workout program. Some of the exercises looked so simple, but were so bloody hard, I guess this clearly showed how some muscles were weak and others too strong from cycling and sitting all day
Took me about 2-3 months of stretching, foam rollering and Physio exercises my knee still clicks but feels good again and physio has signed me off.
I wouldn't worry about clicks unless there was any pain/discomfort, as 2 x physios told me , although it is soo much easier dealing with injuries and imbalances before they get worse
Yeah good point about dealing with it before it becomes "an injury". There is a place near me that has physios and podiatrists and they are all into running, cycling etc and a very sports focused.
Will go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
Will go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
944fan said:
Yeah good point about dealing with it before it becomes "an injury". There is a place near me that has physios and podiatrists and they are all into running, cycling etc and a very sports focused.
Will go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
It might not be your quads are weak perse, just in comparison to other muscles working against themWill go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
A good physio will be able to have a quick once over your knee, various checks then get you doing some basic exercises and ascertain if you have any issues/imbalances
It helps if the Physio deals with your sport area, I found that beneficial
Of all the training and pushing myself Ive done the last few years the exercises my Physio set me were the hardest, some of them were so simple yet hard to do. It also took me months to rebalance my legs, but really feeling the benefits now but it took weeks of minimal or no progress
When my knee was clicking and "grinding" I was sure I had the onset of Arthritis, seeing a professional and having them reassure me was great as so much pain and issues "exist in the mind"
944fan said:
Yeah good point about dealing with it before it becomes "an injury". There is a place near me that has physios and podiatrists and they are all into running, cycling etc and a very sports focused.
Will go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
If it helps, I have very clicky knees (chondromalacia patella) and my physio said leg extensions/curls were about the worst leg exercise I could do. Simple reason being its not a movement you ever do in real life, squats recommended instead along with lunges and a couple of other exercises. Will go and see them and see what they say.
I think my quads are weak. I can leg curl the same, if not more, than I can do on the leg extension and I guess that should be the other way round?
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