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1. seanoc - Member

   Riding causes a really weird sensation at the bottom of my knee cap; it's not a pain as such but I know that after a long road ride there's a fair amount of inflation. It's pretty negligible on an MTB ride. I find that Specialized wedges have helped quite a bit but I'd really like to get rid of it all together...I'm o

   Is anyone able to recommend a podiatrist in the Cardiff - Bristol belt that may be able to provide a cycling specific orthotic?

   Riding causes a really weird floating sensation at the bottom of my knee cap (more so when my saddle is anything other than slammed all the way forward). The sensation isn’t a pain as such but there certainly is swelling after a 1-2 hour road ride; the swelling is less significant after an MTB ride.

   I’ve seen physio’s about my tight legs before and have recently reastablished a pretty strict and robust stretching protocol that gets done at least twice a day and my foam roller gets a good going every night.

   Running is not an issue – 40+ miles covered last week (35 on road and all with minimal type shoes) with no issues, a 30 mile zone 2 road ride on Sunday and, whoop, it’s there.

   I’m looking for experiences of orthotics as it’s a pretty big outlay just to find out they don’t work.

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. howarthp - Member

   I'd recommend Cyclefit in London to look at bike fit (http://cyclefit.co.uk/cyclefitting). They do footbeds and wedges but will look at your whole set up. Don't know anyone in your area.

   Have you built up your miles too quickly on the bike? I get similar pain if I try to go too far beyond my regular mileage

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. akeys001 - Member

   i'm no medico so can't say 'do it' but I had similar (from running and cycling) - weird sensation as though my knees were made of glass and they were about to smash, then sore for day or two after an outing,

   referred to decent medical (consultant for the english rfu) - misalignent and pretty rubbish core muscles and extremely tight calves (forgot the mdeical name of all of this) - so went to physio to get immediately aligned then orthotics to sort long term, together with better technique.

   so all good now luckily and orthotics thoroughly recommended, no knee issues for a year. my orthotics were custom but standard (hard) but use them under normal shoe / trainer inserts so comfy as, they were about 300 quid from a physio in london and they should last 5-10 ish years, use them most (70-80%) of the time i'm wearing shoes.

   good luck, ade

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. seanoc - Member

   Ade; that all sounds very familiar except running is no problem (this includes 9.5 hour mountain epics).

   My physio and Chiroprater have both told me that my calfs are bonkers tight and there's definately tracking issues with my patella.

   Orthotics; I'll get on it.

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. weeve - Member

   I went to cycle fit. Had orthotics - never used them in end as didnt help much. However the spd/look/shimano cleat wedges (also sold by them ....and they will post) did. Kept my knees better aligned. Much cheaper so perhaps try first...although similar approach to the specialised insole wedges but for me they were much better. For the record I have high arches. In reality my knee cap patella cartlidge on left knee is soft. 25 years of climbing and outdoors life...so not a miracle cure...but at 41 these have helped keep me cycling lots. Obviously rested/do physio VMO strengthening also...

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. trail_rat - Member

   my missus has just been told the same -pain below knee cap , feel like they are going to shatter

   week core/glutes , tight calves

   and the top dog - flat feet !

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. Paceman - Member

   Wedges and proper footbeds helped my IT Band Knee Problem 3/4 years ago.

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. seanoc - Member

   I've got very flat feet....still, managed to serve the best part of 10 years in the RE's without issues.

   I think I'll try some cleat wedges first, low cost (possible) solution.

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. Janesy - Member

   Can some one explain these 'cleat wedges' and where I can get them from. I currently have Shimano shoes and XT spds. Ive recentrly seen the phsyio and I have a mega tight IT band. Im using rollers but any thing else that can help is always welcome.

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. howarthp - Member

    http://cyclefit.co.uk/cleat-wedges

    seems a pretty good explanation

    Posted 4 months ago #
11. seanoc - Member

    Janesy; These look reasonable.

    Posted 4 months ago #
12. Janesy - Member

    Thanks guys.

    Posted 4 months ago #
13. excitable1 - Member

    Try lowering your seat. Just a half an inch can make the difference.

    I suffered for a while with pain around my knee and couldn't walk up the stairs for days after..... but it was only after I'd been out on the HT.

    Googled it and everyone said try lowering your seat.

    Seat lowered, worked. Beats paying £52 for some Stickle Bricks FFS .

    Also, stop running. It f***s up your knees. Try swimming instead !

    Posted 4 months ago #
14. akeys001 - Member

    concur with above - a cheaper route might be worth trying - fwiw i started off using off the shelf orthotics called superfeet from snow and rock, 35 quid ish - i was doing tri's at the time and these got me over the 10k barrier but 15+ hurt (flat feet too, felt like bottom of feet was all over bruised), then i went to the medics and they said they are partially doing the job so need custom,

    also i had extremely tight calves and they talked about compartment syndrome and an op, i don't recommend wikipedia'ing it but calf stretches (plus some acu) mostly sorted it...

    Posted 4 months ago #
15. Janesy - Member

    excitable1 - Agree with what you said, my new year resolution is too never run again ;)well when needs must and all that.

    Now I do swimming 3 - 4 times a week. Ive lowered my seat too. and will play with the stickle bricks when they come through.

    Posted 4 months ago #

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