The day after a long ride, my outer thighs feel like bricks and the outer part of my knees are really sore and tender to touch. This discomfort clears up by the next day, so I’m fine, but I don’t know why it keeps coming back after each long ride?
A:
First, try completing a set of regular self-exercises (as described) to help lengthen your hip flexors and ITB after each long ride.
Using a foam roller to release any deep muscular tender points will help to prevent post-exercise delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) by improving local circulation and removal of metabolic waste products in the area. Complete this routine pre/post-ride and 24 hours post ride. If yours is an overuse version of ITB syndrome, you should feel an immediate improvement.
Q:
Over the last year I have been forced to stop riding by increasing pain around my inner knee joint and outer thigh. I have started to notice swelling around the knee joint now, and even pain radiating down my shin to my ankle. It’s stopping me from fully bending my knee and I’m now having difficulty walking downstairs. What should I do?
A:
Because the ITB plays a crucial role in stabilising the outer part of the knee joint and patella, it can seize up in a protective way because of another underlying internal knee joint damage or degeneration.
I would recommend that you seek medical advice to see an orthopaedic physiotherapist or knee consultant who will assess the integrity of your knee meniscus, ligaments and other surface cartilage to confirm whether there is another deeper problem causing your deteriorating knee pain.
Read more at http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/fitness/training/injury-prevention-thigh-knee-%e2%80%a8iliotibial-band-itb-syndrome-116659#AmlDopFXVr4XPTcc.99