It’s common for me to work with a runner’s feet and ankles when they start to develop knee pain or iliotibial band (ITB) tightness in the hip. It makes sense for runners because with every step, the ankle complex is the primary shock absorber in the body.
However, did you know that cyclists can develop knee pain if their ankle is off adjustment?
Cycling related knee pain is almost always a result of poor ankle or hip biomechanics. With every pedal stroke, some imbalance can throw off the way your knee powers through. A functionally short right leg can cause knee pain on the left. Symmetry of the rider and full joint articulation of the lower extremities must be checked and corrected on a rider.
In our office, when I find out that my patient is an avid cyclist, I always check their lower extremities and compare them from one side to the next.
If you ride for any duration on a regular basis, you should get yourself checked out too.
Too your health,
The Joint Sugar House Staff
