Knee Pain After Biking: Causes and Treatment
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It's not uncommon for bikers to develop knee pain and inflammation after spending hours on the road or trail. The pain can range in severity from a slightly swollen knee cap to excruciating pain that limits your mobility. To better understand what the cause of bike knee pain is and how you can treat it, keep reading.
Overworking Your Joints
Biking for long periods of time can take its toll on your joints, particularly in your knees. Each time you press down on the peddle, you are stressing the joints in your knees. This stress can wear down the supportive cartridge and/or ligaments, resulting in painful inflammation.
Fluid Build-Up
If too much pressure is exerted on the knee caps, your body may respond by sending additional fluid there. Small amounts of extra fluid may not pose a serious concern, as your body will simply absorb it. However, large amounts may require extraction by a professional physician.
Some individuals are simply more prone to developing fluid in their knees than others. If you find yourself constantly developing fluid in your kneecaps after biking, there are a couple of things you can try. First are foremost, cut back on your biking a bit to see if it helps. Also, a physician may be able to recommend a bandage or wrap for your knee to help it compress slightly during activities.
What Should I Do About Knee Pain?
If you’re only experiencing mild discomfort, you should schedule an appointment with your general practitioner or a physical therapist. Don’t assume that knee pain will go away on its own, because it could be a sign of a more serious underlying injury.
Applying an ice pack to your knees after biking may also help ease some of the pain and inflammation. The cool sensation will send blood away from the knees, which should reduce the swelling and subsequently ease the pain.
The truth is there could be a number of different reasons why you’re experiencing knee pain after biking. The most common reason is simply from the wearing or swelling of joints, which can be treated fairly easily. However, there could be other, more serious issues associated knee pain, which is why it’s important to see a physician when you’re experiencing this type of pain on a regular basis.