Many cycling injuries occur due to overuse of the joints of the lower body, especially the knees.

In the United States, around 872,000 people commute to work by bicycle, and cycling as a form of exercise has increased in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, cyclists have experienced more injuries, including to the knees.

This article looks at how common knee pain from cycling is, areas where the pain typically occurs, causes of knee pain, and treatments. We also look at ways to look after the knees, prevention of knee pain from cycling, and the outlook for people with knee pain related to cycling.

Knee pain is the most common injury related to overuse reported by cyclists, both by professionals and those who cycle for recreation.

A 2017 study found that the following factors play a significant role in the rate of knee pain, such as:

The study also found that:

Pain caused by cycling can occur in different parts of the knee. These include the anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial areas of the knee.

Anterior pain occurs at the front and center of the knee. Cyclists most commonly experience pain in this part of the knee. Anterior knee pain in cyclists is usually patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Symptoms of PFP include:

Read more about anterior knee pain.

The posterior knee, or back of the knee, is the least commonly injured area.

A cyclist may injure the posterior knee if their hamstring muscles and tendons are overworked, their hamstrings are tight, or their saddle is excessively high.

Injuries to the posterior knee are more common when the leg is overextended, or the knee is impacted, such as in a car accident.

Symptoms of a posterior knee injury may include:

Injuries to the lateral collateral ligament of the knee are uncommon in cycling. They usually occur due to an impact to the inside of the knee that pushes the knee outwards. This occurs most often due to contact injuries, such as those experienced by soccer players or athletes.

Symptoms of a lateral knee injury include:

Medial knee injuries in cyclists may occur because of:

Symptoms of plica syndrome include:

The treatment of knee pain and injuries usually involves:

Application of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method:

A doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain experienced in the knee.

A person should seek physiotherapy or medical attention if:

Cycling can cause pain in various areas of the knee. However, knee pain may be a result of many other factors. These include:

Specific exercises can help a person improve the strength, range of motion, and endurance of their knees during cycling.

Exercises to stretch and strengthen the quadriceps, such as lunges and squats, help improve stability in the knee. Core exercises can also help strengthen the abdomen and lower back and improve stability overall.

A physiotherapist or masseuse may also help relieve pain with a sports massage designed to target knee pain.

Read more about strengthening exercises for the knees.

Knee injuries in cyclists often occur due to bicycle misalignment, long-distance riding, and a lack of conditioning before cycling. To prevent knee injury while cycling, a person can:

Knee pain from cycling most often occurs in the anterior area of the knee, in the front center. Knee pain can also result from various medical conditions, injuries, and overuse. A person should contact a doctor if pain persists to determine the cause.

Many people develop knee pain from cycling because their bicycle requires adjustments for comfortable cycling. Adjusting the saddle-pedal distance and saddle height may help reduce knee pain.

Doctors often tree knee pain with NSAIDs and recommend people follow the RICE method. There are also certain changes a person can make to avoid developing knee pain from cycling, such as performing strengthening exercises and warming up before cycling.

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Cycling knee pain: Where pain occurs, causes, and more - Medical News Today