As a professional or newbie cyclist, perhaps many times you have encountered the situation where your knees suddenly become painful or lose feeling (also known as the phenomenon of the upper telling you to pedal but the lower not listening): you practice. I train very hard, my cycling technique is very good, but on the day of a race or important training session, my knee becomes painful, loses feeling, or becomes numb. Let's learn about the potential risks of pain and loss of feeling in your knees while cycling, as well as how to prevent and treat them.

Potential risks behind symptoms of knee pain

Knee pain symptoms & causes

When your knees feel numb, painful, or weak, this could be a warning sign of serious health problems. Maybe you're dealing with an injury or a nutritional deficiency. If you ignore these symptoms and continue to exercise, the consequences can be very serious, even leading to paralysis in the worst case scenario. The most important thing to do immediately is to see a doctor for a timely and accurate diagnosis.

What if it's mild? Here are some common causes seen in cyclists:

Wrong sitting posture

                                                                                                                                                                                               Wrong posture is the cause of knee pain

Poor sitting posture is one of the most common causes of knee pain when cycling. When you sit too high or too low, your knees will be placed in an unnatural position, causing uneven pressure and leading to pain. Furthermore, incorrect sitting posture can also cause imbalance in pedaling force, increasing the risk of injury.

Choosing the wrong car size

A bike that is not suitable for your body size can cause many problems, including knee pain. A bike that is too big or too small will force you to adjust your sitting position and pedaling style, leading to uneven pressure on your knees.

The influence of bicycles is too great

When you use a bike that is too big, you will have to stretch your legs too much to be able to pedal, which increases pressure on the knee joints and ligaments. Furthermore, you will have difficulty controlling the bike and maintaining balance, causing your muscles and knee joints to work harder to maintain a stable posture. This not only increases your risk of injury but also reduces your cycling performance.

The influence of bicycles is too small

On the contrary, a bike that is too small will force you to bend your legs too much when pedaling, causing great pressure on your knees and surrounding muscles. This position not only causes pain but also easily leads to injury due to excessive muscle and ligament tension. In addition, when the bike is too small, it will be difficult to maintain a comfortable and stable sitting position, leading to an imbalance in pedaling force and uneven pressure on the knee joints.

Technical errors in cycling

Improper cycling technique can also cause pain and loss of sensation in the knees. Pedaling too hard, not adjusting the pedaling force evenly between the legs or not maintaining a stable posture can increase pressure on the knees.

Pedal too hard

Pedaling too hard with each stroke can increase pressure on the knees and surrounding joints. When you pedal too hard, your knees are subjected to a greater force than usual, which can cause strain and damage to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint. This not only leads to pain but can also cause long-term injuries if not corrected promptly.

Do not adjust the pedal force evenly between both legs

Not adjusting the pedaling force evenly between the two legs is a common technical error. When pedaling force is uneven, one leg will experience more pressure, causing imbalance and unnecessary stress on that side's knee joint. This not only increases the risk of injury but can also lead to prolonged pain and loss of sensation in the knee. To overcome this, it is necessary to focus on pedaling evenly and maintaining a steady pedaling force between both legs.

Unable to maintain a stable position

Unstable sitting posture when cycling is also a cause of knee pain. When posture is incorrect, muscles and joints have to work harder to maintain balance, leading to unnecessary strain and pressure on the knees. For example, if you sit too far or too close to the pedals, or do not adjust the saddle properly, you will not be able to maintain an optimal cycling position, causing joint and muscle problems.

Improper exercise habits

Cycling too much or too little can also cause problems. Cycling too much without enough rest and recovery time will stress the muscles and knee joints, while cycling too little will not be enough to strengthen muscles and protect the knee joints.

Potentially dangerous hazards

Pain in the knees can come from back and spinal injuries such as herniated discs. In addition, this symptom can also come from nerve cord/nerve injury and many other potential risks as follows:

Observe and diagnose all symptoms early

Knee injury

Pain and loss of feeling in the knee, if not treated promptly, can lead to serious knee injury. This injury can include arthritis, torn ligaments, or even broken bones.

Reduced mobility
When your knee hurts and loses feeling, your ability to move will be significantly affected. This not only reduces the effectiveness of cycling but also affects other daily activities.

Increased risk of other injuries
When your knees hurt, you may have to change your cycling position or pedaling style to relieve the pain. However, this can increase the risk of injury to other areas such as the hips, back, or neck.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the common causes of pain and swelling in the knee. This disease is often caused by inflammation of the joint lining and can include diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

Symptoms: Pain in the knee joint area, swelling and limited range of motion. If not treated promptly, osteoarthritis can lead to serious knee damage and impaired joint function.

Stroke

Loss of feeling or difficulty moving in the knee can be a sign of a stroke, especially if symptoms appear suddenly and appear on only one side of the knee.

Symptoms: In addition to pain and loss of sensation in the knee, additional symptoms may include confusion, dizziness, difficulty speaking or understanding, and imbalance. Stroke is a medical emergency and needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately to minimize brain damage.

Neuropathy

Nerve diseases such as herniated discs can also cause pain and loss of sensation in the knee. Disc herniation occurs when the disc slips or ruptures, causing subsidence, squeezing nerves in the back and causing symptoms in the affected area.

Symptoms: Pain in the knee, loss of feeling, aching feeling spreading from the back to the leg. Symptoms may become more severe as the disease progresses, and should be monitored and treated by medical professionals.

What to do when symptoms of knee pain appear

When you start having symptoms of loss of feeling in your legs, the first thing to do is listen to your body and seriously accept the current situation. Instead of ignoring strange signs, rest and apply ice to relieve pain. If such temporary measures do not relieve symptoms, see a doctor promptly for early diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnose early

Lara Thomas, a health care expert and athlete, advises that it's important to see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. This helps avoid more serious complications later. She also emphasizes reducing exercise intensity and resting to allow the body to recover, rather than pushing the limits. This is especially important for people who enjoy sports like athletes, like Dani Espino, who had to undergo a long period of treatment and recovery after a herniated disc.

Choose the appropriate treatment method

Once you have a diagnosis, you need to choose the most appropriate treatment method. Ross Dexter, a sports medicine expert, advises against self-medicating and working with your doctor to find the most suitable treatment. Methods such as massage, acupuncture, or injections can be used, but always require guidance and supervision from a medical professional.

In addition, to reduce pain and support the recovery process, you can perform additional movements and apply ice according to your doctor's instructions. This helps maintain flexibility and quality of life during treatment.

Follow Saffronclubnow to learn more in-depth health and sports knowledge. Besides, you should also refer to health monitoring watches:

Garmin health sports watch: Refer here