Bicycle Riding If Arthritic?

[sparrowhawk]

This is a really different subject but I've got a problem and perhaps some of the older gents might offer some insights. See, my doctor has advised me to take up bicycling again to help with a swelling leg problem. I used to be an avid cyclist. So I bought an old Scwhinn identical to the one I used to ride, only to discover I was afraid to ride it because my knees hurt so much from arthritis. Has anyone else had this experience, and how did you deal with it? I'm 60, BTW.

 

[cobguy]

A few things I learned while recovering from a torn meniscus caused by endurance racing:
Seat position is important when it comes to sore knees. You want your legs to ALMOST extend all the way but still leave a slight bend all the way through the stroke. Also, If the seat is too far forward on the post, it can cause pain on the front / top of the knees. Get fitted by a local shop, if need be. Start very slowly and in a moderate gear that does not require either high RPM's or heavy "mashing". Choose mostly flat terrain and short duration to begin with and work up from there.
Cycling is a fantastic physical, as well as mental, therapy! :D

 

[velotrain]

> only to discover I was afraid to ride it because my knees hurt so much from arthritis
It's not clear if your knees hurt when you did ride it, or you were so afraid that you never tried?
Try taking a Vitamin I - AKA Ibuprofen, maybe half an hour before riding. Or, whatever you normally take for your arthritis.
I'm certain that he suggested the bike just because there will be much less stress on your knees than with walking.
However, it's also important that the bike fit you well - including seat height and position. Racers like lower seats, but I feel that your leg should be straight at the bottom of the stroke.
Also - you generally want to pedal at a high cadence in a lower gear. Many people think that pushing hard in a high gear is helping their muscles, but it's mostly just over-stressing the knees and not doing anything positive. You should have toe-clips to keep your feet in the correct position - ball of the foot should be over the middle of the pedal.
Not to be unkind, but this is the first time that I've heard of an "avid cyclist" riding a Schwinn ;-)

Schwinn's have their place, but cyclists do not ride them.

 

[bigpond]

Not to be unkind, but this is the first time that I've heard of an "avid cyclist" riding a Schwinn ;-)

Schwinn's have their place, but cyclists do not ride them.

Sure, no real cyclist would be caught dead on a steel framed road bike straight outta Waterford Precision...right? Check out the Schwinn Paramount.
oh, and don't be an ass. That job is filled.

 

[mso489]

Folks old enough to have trouble with arthritis, like us, seem to have problems with spills off bikes, even if they are mostly good with balance. The range of motion is good, but one hard fall can do more damage to joints, arthritis, and bones than the arthritis itself. I'd tend to look at a stationary bike (read, listen to music) or walking. I say this after several friends have had bicycle accidents, and various public figures have done the same. Just food for thought. Your doc may know best.

 

[dmcmtk]

Actually, I'm a little surprised your doctor didn't recommend a course of supervised physical therapy first. Somewhere with the right equipment, and therapists that can help you with various exercises, and keep an eye on how you are doing. As an example, I had excellent PT here, not for knee problems, but it was great.
http://sleepyhollowpt.com/

 

[iamn8]

Seen this thing?
HERE

 

[ltstone]

Whoa neat, I love eliptical, about as non-impact as you can get.

 

[iamn8]

I suspect it would be FAR better than cycling. I was once a semi-pro cyclist and know the sport well. Cycling, with road conditions and position, can be jarring and painful for those who are arthritic. This elliptical bike would negate those factors nicely.

 

[zack24]

All good advice. I'm also 60, average 100 miles a week with a 6 day a week schedule...and if I don't warm up my knees for a couple of miles, I pay the price.
To summarize the high points- Get a shop to adjust your seat height for you. Keep a gear lower than you think you need while you warm up. Ibuprofen is your friend. Ride someplace that has nice scenery- it's supposed to be fun!!
@Nate- You're insane- that elliptical would kill most people who tried it....
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is a recumbent bike at some point- lower to the ground and a more comfortable riding position...

 

[iamn8]

Zack, as a former hard core cyclist who's about to have his tenth major back surgery on Monday, I believe that would be FAR easier than a standard bike. Not hard to ride at all if you've ever been on an elliptical. That said, I am insane, but don't see how that effects my opinion here...but how would I... being insane and all.

A recumbent would be FAR more difficult to ride than that elliptical. A child could ride that elliptical.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I ride. Since my new hip, it and walking are all I am supposed to be limited to to keep the impact off my joints. Cobguy is spot on, and maybe try the slip in pedals that fit around your shoes, pulling up with one leg as you push down with the other helps me take all the stress off one hip on bad days.

 

[zack24]

Nate,
I hope you took that as a compliment...
...and I have been on a stationary elliptical- kept falling off...but that was after a couple of Bourbons...

 

[velotrain]

Sorry about my unwarranted comment - I always saw them as a recreational bike company, and didn't realize they also made serious road bikes. I've been leading rides/trips/tours for over 30 years, and never had one of them show up.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Quite understandable that an "avid" cyclist would get a Schwimmer. It's partly nostalgia--I built my first ten-speed from a Schwinn Continental. Later I got an off-Brand with a good lugged frame called the Arctic then finally a Fuji. I fell out of the habit until recently on learning I needed to ride again and thought since I didn't need (or could afford) a high performance bike, and coming across the bike of my adolescene well maintained and cheap, I'd try it and if I could ride it, move on to something lighter.

Next week I get some knee shots which should suppress pain long enough to get the hang of riding again;I hope I can ride on the grass a it to see if I can keep my balance.

 

[velotrain]

> maybe try the slip in pedals that fit around your shoes, pulling up with one leg as you push down with the other helps me take all the stress off one hip on bad days.
I've seen a recommendation that a better approach is to think in term of moving your feet in circles, which is more efficient and saves your feet/legs from a constant push/pull.
Those who are good at this employ a very old technique known as ankling, to keep their foot/ankle at the proper angle throughout the stroke.
http://cyclingtips.com/2009/11/ankling/
http://www.bicycling.com/training/fitness/perfect-pedal-stroke

 

[bcharles123]

My 2 cents. Many, many injuries are the results of inactivity not activity.
What ever else you do, (bicycling is awesome!), make sure you strength train. Not just go through the motions but train. I.e follow a progression and actually get stronger. I am a masters (53yr old) competitive powerlifter. I squat, I deadlift, I press. Start slow. Do it correctly. A bar and weights. Full range of motion. Skip the machines. I know.....I hear everyone's eyes rolling...
People always say, I can't squat...I have bad knees, I can't deadlift I have a bad back, I can't press I have bad shoulders. In reality, most people have these chronic problems because they DON'T squat, deadlift, or press. Strength is fundamental to EVERYTHING we do. Getting out of bed, off the toilet, shoveling the driveway, and riding a bike. Strong people are harder to kill, and more useful in general.
If you are interested, read anything and everything by Mark Rippetoe. Start very slow, correct form, progressively increase (slowly). Start with a broomstick if you have to. I did.