Cycling knee pain: Where pain occurs, causes, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Cycling knee pain What to knowMedically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness — By Caitlin Geng on June 24, 2022Many cycling injuries occur due to overuse of the joints of the lower body, especially the knees. Share on PinterestHakan & Sophie/StocksyIn the United States, around 872,000 people commute to work by bicycle, and cycling as a form of exercise has increased in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, cyclists have experienced more injuries, including to the knees. This article looks at how common knee pain from cycling is, areas where the pain typically occurs, causes of knee pain, and treatments. We also look at ways to look after the knees, prevention of knee pain from cycling, and the outlook for people with knee pain related to cycling. How common is cycling knee pain Knee pain is the most common injury related to overuse reported by cyclists, both by professionals and those who cycle for recreation. A 2017 study found that the following factors play a significant role in the rate of knee pain, such as:the type of bicyclethe goal of the person cyclingbody mass indexparticipation in other sports The study also found that:27.6% of amateur cyclists experienced knee pain15.9% of professional cyclists had knee pain61.6% of cyclists reported only mild knee pain28.7% of cyclists reported moderate knee pain Areas where pain occurs Pain caused by cycling can occur in different parts of the knee. These include the anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial areas of the knee. Anterior Anterior pain occurs at the front and center of the knee. Cyclists most commonly experience pain in this part of the knee. Anterior knee pain in cyclists is usually patellofemoral pain (PFP). Symptoms of PFP include:aching pain at the front of the kneepain after a change in activity levelpain during exercise or when bending the kneespain after sitting for a long time with bent kneespopping noises in the knee when standing up or climbing stairs Read more about anterior knee pain. Posterior The posterior knee, or back of the knee, is the least commonly injured area. A cyclist may injure the posterior knee if their hamstring muscles and tendons are overworked, their hamstrings are tight, or their saddle is excessively high. Injuries to the posterior knee are more common when the leg is overextended, or the knee is impacted, such as in a car accident. Symptoms of a posterior knee injury may include:painswellinga feeling of instability in the kneedifficulty walking Lateral Injuries to the lateral collateral ligament of the knee are uncommon in cycling. They usually occur due to an impact to the inside of the knee that pushes the knee outwards. This occurs most often due to contact injuries, such as those experienced by soccer players or athletes. Symptoms of a lateral knee injury include:pain on the inside of the kneepain on the outside of the kneea feeling of instabilityswelling Medial Medial knee injuries in cyclists may occur because of:a direct blow to the outside of the knee, pushing the knee inwardmedial collateral ligament bursitispes anserine syndrome, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that prevent muscles, tendons, and bones from rubbing together.a medial meniscus tearplica syndrome, which involves inflammation of the synovial folds of the knee Symptoms of plica syndrome include:snapping or clicking in the kneeinflammationpain while bending or flexing the knee Treatments The treatment of knee pain and injuries usually involves: Application of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method:Rest: Do not put weight on the knee.Ice: Apply cold packs to the knee in 20-minute increments throughout the day. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin.Compression: Wrap the knee in an ACE wrapping or soft bandage.Elevation: Raise the knee above the level of the heart. A doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain experienced in the knee. When to see a physiotherapist A person should seek physiotherapy or medical attention if:they cannot relieve the pain with over-the-counter medicationthe symptoms have not improved within a few daystheir knee is making loud popping noises, accompanied by pain and swellingthe knee joint cannot move properlythey cannot put weight on their kneethe knee is discoloredthe knee has lumps and appears off-center Other causes of knee pain Cycling can cause pain in various areas of the knee. However, knee pain may be a result of many other factors. These include:a dislocated kneecapa sprain or straintendonitisa torn ligamenttorn cartilageOsgood-Schlatter diseasearthritisbursitisan infection in the bones of the kneebleeding in the joint Ways to look after the knees Specific exercises can help a person improve the strength, range of motion, and endurance of their knees during cycling. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the quadriceps, such as lunges and squats, help improve stability in the knee. Core exercises can also help strengthen the abdomen and lower back and improve stability overall. A physiotherapist or masseuse may also help relieve pain with a sports massage designed to target knee pain. Read more about strengthening exercises for the knees. Prevention Knee injuries in cyclists often occur due to bicycle misalignment, long-distance riding, and a lack of conditioning before cycling. To prevent knee injury while cycling, a person can:adjust the saddle-pedal distance on their bicycleensure their saddle is in the correct positionwear appropriate shoes for cyclingincrease cycling training graduallywarm up thoroughly before cyclingperform stretching and flexibility exercisesmaintain a moderate weight Summary Knee pain from cycling most often occurs in the anterior area of the knee, in the front center. Knee pain can also result from various medical conditions, injuries, and overuse. A person should contact a doctor if pain persists to determine the cause. Many people develop knee pain from cycling because their bicycle requires adjustments for comfortable cycling. Adjusting the saddle-pedal distance and saddle height may help reduce knee pain. Doctors often tree knee pain with NSAIDs and recommend people follow the RICE method. There are also certain changes a person can make to avoid developing knee pain from cycling, such as performing strengthening exercises and warming up before cycling. Last medically reviewed on June 24, 2022Bones / OrthopedicsSports Medicine / Fitness 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Althunyan, A. K., et al. (2017). Knee problems and its associated factors among active cyclists in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5248430/Bini, R. R., et al. (2018). Potential factors associated with knee pain in cyclists: A systematic review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5973630/Burrows, M. (2019). Younger workers in cities more likely to bike to work.https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/05/younger-workers-in-cities-more-likely-to-bike-to-work.htmlCollateral ligament injuries. (2021).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/collateral-ligament-injuries/Common knee injuries. (2022).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/common-knee-injuries/Dowell, E. K. P., et al. (2021). Consumers turn to biking for safe fun and exercise during pandemic.https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/06/consumers-turn-to-biking-for-safe-fun-exercise-during-pandemic.htmlJohnston, T. E., et al. (2017). The influence of extrinsic factors on knee biomechanics during cycling: A systematic review of the literature.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5717478/Knee pain. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-pain/Naqvi, U., et al. (2022). Medial collateral ligament knee injuries.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431095/Patellofemoral pain syndrome. (2020).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. (2021).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/posterior-cruciate-ligament-injuries/Raj, M. A., et al. (2022). Posterior cruciate ligament knee injuries.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430726/Sabbagh, R. S., et al. (2022). Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports-related injuries evaluated in US emergency departments.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23259671221075373FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness — By Caitlin Geng on June 24, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageThe 8 best knee stretches and exercises for knee pain reliefMedically reviewed by Lauren Jarmusz, PT, DPT, OCS Knee exercise can strengthen the muscles that support the knee joint. This article lists eight stretches to try, plus tips for knee health.READ MOREWhat causes knee buckling?Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Knee buckling is common and can signify injury or an underlying condition. It can affect people of all ages and levels of fitness. It is often…READ MOREPatellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee)Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition that involves pain around the knee or the kneecap. Symptoms include a dull, aching pain that may become…READ MOREWhat's to know about crepitus of the knee?Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. Crepitus of the knee is when the knee makes a cracking or popping sensation when the a person bends or extends it. Often, it is the harmless popping…READ MOREWhat is the best medication for knee pain?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD People may take OTC medication for mild to moderate knee pain. If the pain is more severe, they may require prescription drugs or injections. Read…READ MORE