Why Do My Knees Hurt When Biking?

Cycling is supposed to be a low-impact exercise. So why does it hurt your knees? There are many possible causes for knee pain when you cycle, though many are treatable – or avoidable with a good fit and tune on your bike – to keep you racking up the mileage on your bike.

Knees Hurt? Check Your Bike Fit

When you were a kid, you used to just hop on your bike and ride. Longer rides require a lot more attention to fitting your bike to your body. Improper setup of seat height, seat position, clip orientation, and a variety of other factors can cause your knees to hurt on your ride. According to Peloton, “Most of the time, cycling-related knee pain occurs at the patellofemoral joint, or the place where your kneecap connects with your femur.” A professional bike fit can help solve or prevent knee pain and other ergonomic issues.

Patellofemoral Syndrome and Biking

The huge quads you get from your century rides are great for climbing Colorado mountains on your bike, but they may be causing you pain. If you’re experiencing pain at the front of your knee, or feel as if your kneecap isn’t tracking correctly, patellofemoral syndrome may be the culprit.

Depending upon the severity of the injury, patellofemoral syndrome can be treated with therapy, braces, or surgery.

Patellar Tendonitis and Biking

When the tendons that hold your kneecap in place suffer an injury or the muscles surrounding your knee become unbalanced, you may experience knee pain from patellar tendonitis. Start treatment by icing the area and avoiding the activities that irritate your knee. Speak with a doctor for treatment, which usually starts with basic exercises. Very rarely does patellar tendonitis require surgery.

Knees Hurt When Biking?

If you experience knee pain when biking, there’s no reason to give up the rides. Visit Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies and chat with a knee specialist today. They’re experienced professionals trained to identify and treat knee disorders and injuries, as well as create a comprehensive treatment plan that helps get you back to moving like you used to. Contact us to request an appointment.