Hi Mark,
Yes live in Cambridge and yes already spoke to Stockley as he is only down the road from me. I think I will give him a try as you say he is a keen cyclist but also as you say he may be a bit old school but if it works then all good!

There are so many different possibilities and structures that could be causing this issue, again I know everyone here is trying to help and give their advice based on their own experiences but believe me NO injury is ever the same, NO human being is ever the same, the way we heal is always different.

All of the following must be considered as part of the bigger picture – Hip flexors, adductors, hamstrings, quads,priformis,tfl, itb, glutes, psoas. Let alone various ligaments, tendons, fascia. Then looking at your calf muscle (Soleus, Gastroc) down to Achilles, ankle, foot, SIJ joints and probably other structures that I haven’t even mentioned. Lower back muscles spring to mind, erectors etc.

Honestly, take my advice. Find a good manual practitioner, it doesn’t matter if its a physio, osteo, chiro or whatever but find someone who can help you and actually listen and understand your issue, not someone who is looking to make a quick buck. Again, be prepared to be in it for the long run, not just a few treatments. You effectively need someone to reverse the effects this dysfunction has caused over a sustained period of time otherwise you will never solve the root cause, most people at this point opt for surgery which is not always the best answer.

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your advice, I have tried 3 different Physio companies in Cambridge and none of them have really helped. If anything I think they may have made the situation worse.

I will go and see Mr Stockley and explain my history and hopefully build a relationship with him so he can help me get back on my bike.

I miss riding my MTB so much

Having had patella tendonitis for a year and calf problems which have stopped me running for four years i started a pilates class in January of this year, it was cycling specific and small classes, so had lots of one to one. The results are no knee pain, I’m back running (half marathon next month), and much less back ache on the bike; my glutes are stronger and iITBs much looser.
Pilates really concentrates on your core stability, with lots of stretching, i can feel my core stabilising when I’m working hard. Its not a quick fix, but the results are amazing. Would recommend but make sure you get a good teacher.

Hi Nige, good luck buddy, I feel your pain (excuse the pun). I too had to give up a sport I loved (football) at 31 due to a hip problem so I appreciate what it’s like to not be able to do something you love because of your body but I’m confident you can find a fix with the right help and advice. I’m hoping mountain biking will be easier on my hip, new bike arrives tomorrow so fingers crossed.

Right knee pain? If you drive a lot look at that too. I get right knee pain if I am driving a lot (not necessarily when driving) and not now I am getting the train to work.

Clover, you have hit another point that I didn’t mention! I did get a new car in July last year and this coincided with the increase in pain. Unforts current job is business dev’t so lots of driving is required

We’ll guys, a small update. I have booked to see an osteopath & am also seeing a Physio who specialises in Pilates. Am doing a one to one session and then joining her class once a week

Also,seeing the knee consultant again on Fri so will let you all know how I get on

Thanks again for all the help & encouragement, it has been a tough year 🙂

My ITB cleared up years ago but I did suffer from tendon issues in my ankle for months. I saw a local osteopath who was great. It took a while to resolve but the treatment made sense to me, the Osteopath is a runner/cyclist so understood what I was talking about and eventually resolved it.
I have seen a number of experienced and highly qualified physiotherapists over the years with mixed results. The Osteopath will be my first call when I next experience an injury

I went for a road bike fit recently. I was v impressed as he spent a large chunk of it checking me over for any kind of biomechanical “vagaries”, range of movement etc.

My bike was pretty close to ideal for me already (maybe more luck than judgement) so no changes at all beyond cleat position and shims; but with these kind of problems it can give you a bit of an “MOT” bio-mechanically as well as helping get your bike set up to accommodate it or help address it.

Good luck

Bit of an updated again if anyone is interested.

Went back to the consultant at Addenbrookes last Friday to go through my arthroscopy results. Knee is fine!!! No tears, no synovial issues, no inflammation……

….so the diagnosis is – ITB Syndrome – which was the initial diagnosis a year ago!!

….lessons learnt here guys – don’t have surgery unless absolutely necessary!!

…so back to the ITB exercises and see the new Osteopath tomorrow to see if we can get this fixed once & for all

Thanks for your advice, I have tried 3 different Physio companies in Cambridge and none of them have really helped. If anything I think they may have made the situation worse.

Have you tried Tom at Core Cambridge? He has worked with professional cyclists…..

http://deltamsk.co.uk/category/all/

Going to see these guys tomorrow !!!

lessons learnt here guys – don’t have surgery unless absolutely necessary!!

always been my approach ! IMO you really need to focus on little and often, get some excerizes/activities you can do multiple times per day

Ask them about training aids like the one below or a wobble board

link 66fit

Yes went to see Tom at core Cambridge which is now called MSK – he was really good and he reckons that it is all related to the nerves in my back!!

He also said that the arthroscopy was a complete waste of time so yes a lesson learnt – do not have surgery unless you necessarily have to!

I am hoping that in a few weeks time I will come back and tell you my knee pain has gone 🙂

Could foot flaps say what his name is as Tom asked who he was recommended by?

All interesting stuff this. I’m off to see my physio tomorrow to try and sort out _another_ bout of ITBS on my right knee. It’s great this, the gift that keeps on giving, especially ten days before a half marathon. *grumble*.

In the past I’ve been told that it is tight, but weak hip muscles and been told to foam roll, stretch and strenghten up the hips/glutes (not in that order). I guess it worked, but I’ve had a few weeks off this and when I went out for a run last night, it was painful from about 6.5 miles onwards. The last mile was, to be honest, really quite tough and I am now hoping that emergency ‘brufen will help me out.

I’ll see what my physio says about it tomorrow, but it looks like I might be binning the half. I just don’t think that I will be able to finish it as I am now.

I blame working in an office.

@ Willard
Get your physio to look at your body as a whole and not just the knee!!!

I went to see MSK yesterday and they believe my knee problem is caused by trapped nerves in my back!! He also said that the key hole was a complete waste of time!!!!

Only time will tell but a big lesson learnt is to find a physio you trust and get them to assess your whole body & not just the knee.

I could be being led down another wrong path but at least this guy & the company seemed to know what they were talking about…..