Good local sports doc for funky knee issues?

[Redshift]

Hi all:

My knees have been acting a bit strange (nothing terrible, but not the same as normal) and I'd like to see a specialist just to make sure I'm not going to do any further harm and see if I can fix the strangeness. It's probably biking related, and I want to strengthen by doing other exercises but without doing any damage.

Does anyone know of a good local ortho or other specialist who can help and might be covered by Cigna insurance? :)

Thanks.

[Zonda]

If you haven't had your bikes properly fitted, I would try that route first. It may correct the problem.

[Redshift]

If you haven't had your bikes properly fitted, I would try that route first. It may correct the problem.

Well, I believe the bike fit is actually fine. I'm very comfortable and have no pain at all from biking up to 70 miles at once. I guess it's possible, but I'm giving it a small chance right now. My guess is that maybe I'm over-strengthening one part of my leg while not strengthening another part enough. But as always, Zonda, thanks for your input :)

[Zonda]

Just thought I would make that suggestion. Probably cheaper than a specialist.;) Sorry, I don't know of anyone to recommend. Hope it's nothing serious.

[Redshift]

Just thought I would make that suggestion. Probably cheaper than a specialist.;) Sorry, I don't know of anyone to recommend. Hope it's nothing serious.

Specialist is free (insurance). Bike fitting is expensive. Ha!

On a side note, how have you been lately? Sorry I haven't been riding with the group. Mountain biking has me smitten.

[Zonda]

Specialist is free (insurance). Bike fitting is expensive. Ha!
On a side note, how have you been lately? Sorry I haven't been riding with the group. Mountain biking has me smitten.

:rolleyes: That's funny.

I'm doing o.k. Been wondering where you were.

[RickF]

Doug Gollehon is an orthopeadist at Cary Orthopeadic & Sports Medicine and is an avid cyclist himself. All of the docs in that practice are good. They also have an office in Garner (Garner Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine), but Gollehon is the one I know best.

Cycling, if done correctly, should not hurt the knees. In fact, cycling is often used to rehabilitate knee injuries. If your knees hurt from cycling, then I agree with Zonda that you need to look at the bike fit - particularly the cleat placement, saddle height, and fore/aft position of the saddle. If those check out fine, then you need to look at your cadence. A higher cadence in an easier gear is better for the knees.

[Redshift]

Thanks Rick.

My knees feel great when I cycle. And they feel fine after I cycle. And they feel mostly fine all the time, just some weird side effects off the bike that I want to get checked out. I initially had some knee pain during my first month or two of road biking but after I adjusted my seat a bit, all that went away and now it feels great.

I do push high cadence - typically I settle in right about 90 or so, but sometimes 95-100. I always avoid lower if possible. My bike has a standard double gearset, though, so sometimes a lower cadence is unavoidable, although this is quite rare.

[KarenG]

where is the pain? medial side pain? if so, you need to strengthen the vmo muscle of you leg (teardrop shaped muscle) 'cause the outer quads are prolly a lot stronger than inner. you also need to be stretching, stretching, stretching the hamstrings & groin muscles.

i'll second the referral to Gollehon. that's who i saw, tho he said there was nothing wrong with my knee. my problems stem from ruptured disk in lower back...

anyways, my $.02

[esther-l]

I had knee surgery in July. I've been going to Physical Solutions in Raleigh for PT. The owner, Cathy Busby, used to be an avid cyclist (she was seduced by some other hobby).

My surgeon is Hardy Singh at Southeastern Orthopedics in Raleigh. He does tennis and cricket - maybe I should have looked for a surgeon who's a cyclist!

My big problem right now is not the knee - it's my IT band. I am stretching as much as I can!
Esther

[Redshift]

Thanks, Esther. Another friend recommended someone at Duke Sports Medicine, so I'm going to see him on Wed. and will report back.

[mikeb]

I also like Gollehon. Last week, he did arthroscopic surgery on my wife's knee (not bicycling-related). In the same practice, I like Dr. Martini. He operated on my shoulder. Cary Orthopaedics does have an outstanding group of doctors.

I agree with the earlier comments concerning the fitting of your bicycle to you.