Knee Injury Prevention In Cyclist

"Original Editor"- Manali K Shah ""Top Contributors""- Manali K Shah and Lucinda hampton

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Bicycle riding is a popular form of sport, recreation, fitness and transportation in many areas of the world. The health benefits of participating in regular physical activity are well established[1], so now a days recreational cycling activity has been very popular and therefore not surprising that patients presenting with injuries related to cycling may also increase. But many common cycling injuries of the lower extremity are preventable.

Studies suggests that cycling is a healthy recreational activity, although it can result in acute and chronic or overuse injuries. Acute injuries may occur due to road traffic accidents which can be possibly averted by eg. using helmet and following proper traffic rules. But chronic injuries require specific ergonomics and proper physiotherapy guidelines for various factors responsible for injury.[2]

The most common anatomical sites for overuse injury/complaints reported by studies were the back, knees, neck and shoulder, groin and buttocks, and hands.[2][3][4]

Anatomy of Cycle[edit | edit source]

Following are the parts of cycle explained in the video:

Handlebar, Brake hood, Brake levers, Stem, Seat rails, Head tube, Front brake, Fork, Skewer, Hub, Slick road tires, Brake cable, Top tube, Saddle, Saddle rails, Seatpost, Seat clamp, Seat tube, Down tube, Front derailleur, Crankset, Pedal, Crankset bolt, Chain rings, Rear brake, Spokes, Rear derailleur, Rim and Valve.

[5]

Risk factors for overuse injury[edit | edit source]

Incorrect bicycle configuration may predispose athletes to injury and reduce their cycling performance.

The patellofemoral joint is under particular stress in bicycling thus patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common overuse injury in cycling. It is also known as cyclist's knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Risk factors for PFPS can be divided into extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors for PFPS are incorrect cadence, power output, crank length, saddle forefoot position, saddle height, and foot position.While intrinsic factors for PFPS are poor strength of core, pelvic and lower limb muscles and poor flexibility of flexors and extensors of lower kinetic chain.[6]

Role of Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Physiotherapist can help in modifying risk factors for development of PFPS in cyclists. Physiotherapy intervention includes modification of extrinsic factors by correct setting/fitting of cycle and modification of intrinsic factors by following proper physiotherapy exercise protocol.

Correct way of cycling setting/ fitting for prevention of knee injury[edit | edit source]

See Bike Fit and Cyclist's Knee

According to studies following settings should be done to prevent overuse injury for Knee joint in cyclist:

  1. Keep mid saddle height (based on Trochanteric Length Method (100%) or Holmes et al. Method with knee flexion 25 to 30 degrees.)
  2. On the pedal surface keep anterior foot position (it is defined as the contact with the head of the second metatarsal (ball of foot) and the pedal surface.)
  3. Keep the saddle and hand bars at the same height.[7][8][7][8].

Physiotherapy intervention[edit | edit source]

  1. Core strengthening: Planks in all 4 sides prone, supine and both sides
  2. Pelvic and hip muscles strengthening: lunges, wall squats, hams curl in standing, hip abductor strengthening
  3. VMO strengthening
  4. Stretching: hamstings, IT band, TFL, gastocnemius, soleus.
  5. Kinesio tapping
  6. Spinal mobilization [9]

Reference[edit | edit source]

  1. Physical activity[Internet]. WHO; 26 Nov 2020. Available from:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
  2. 2.0 2.1 MP Schwellnus & EW Derman (2005) Common injuries in cycling: Prevention, diagnosis and management, South African Family Practice, 47(7): 14-19
  3. Nathan J. Dettori & Daniel C. Norvell. Non-Traumatic Bicycle Injuries. A Review of the Literature. Sports Medicine volume 36, pages7–18(2006) Published: 27 November 2012
  4. C. A. Wilber, G. J. Holland, R. E. Madison, S. F. Loy An Epidemiological Analysis of Overuse Injuries Among Recreational Cyclists. Int J Sports Med 1995; 16(3): 201-206
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvRUgLCrr0A&t=33s
  6. Therese E. Johnston, Tiara a. Baskins, Rachael V. Koppel, Samuel A. Oliver, Donald J. Stieber, Lisa T. Hoglund. The influence of extrinsic factors on knee biomechanics during cycling: a systematic review of the literature The international journal of sports physical therapy, December 2017, 12(7): 1023
  7. 7.0 7.1 Rodrigo Bini, Patria A. Hume and James L. Croft. Effects of Bicycle Saddle Height on Knee Injury Risk and Cycling Performance. Sports Med 2011; 41 (6): 463-476
  8. 8.0 8.1 Dheeraj Lamba, Satish Pant, Girish Chandra. Effect of Saddle Heights on Craniovertebral Angle During Ergonomic Cycling. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. July-Sep., 2011, 5(3): 157-160
  9. Shah MK, Sheth MS.Physiotherapy for anterior knee pain - anarrative review. International Journal of Science & Healthcare Research.2022; 7(1):246-258. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20220138