Hey Docs,
On Tuesday I started to experience mild discomfort during work on and just above my left kneecap which got progressively worse through yesterday.
My work is hauling trash, recycling, and compost via bicycle. A day’s work entails about 4-6 hours of riding, loading and unloading. I’ve been doing the job for about four months. I haven’t experienced any other work related problems.
On Tuesday the pain was very low–I chalked it up to the cold weather (job is in New England and the first hard winter week was this week. HIghs in the low teens). Pain would slightly increase while cycling for long stretches (such as taking a full trailer load to the transfer station). On Tuesday the pain would dissipate after getting off the bike and walking around for a couple of minutes, although the knee would initially be pretty stiff when I got off the bike.
On Wednesday I had no significant pain until the last hour of my route. After finishing work I noticed the area on and above the kneecap was tender to the touch.
On Thursday morning the irritation started immediately once on the bike and began to worsen, though overall the I’d say the irritation doubled, it was still quite low. If I tried to put a quantitative number on it I’d say it went from a one to a two. I took 800mg of Ibuprofen immediately and within 30m the pain was back to insignificant levels. I finished my work for the day.
Thursday and night this morning I’ve had mild discomfort in the same place when walking/anytime the knee bends. I’m taking ibuprofen currently.
Although the pain is low I’m concerned that the discomfort is getting worse with use. I regularly have small aches and pains from lifting or cycling, but they always go away once I start riding and/or lifting.
I wear very thin olympic weightlifting knee sleeves when working in cold weather (below 25) because it makes my knees less creaky. I have not tried any “warming” ointments/linament, not sure if they are even helpful.
I am not scheduled to work again until Tuesday. I have no history of tendon inflammation in my knees.
Any advice about how long to stay off the bike, things to do to speed recovery, etc. appreciated. I have not had any heavy lower body lifts scheduled since the pain started, and did not feel any discomfort when doing light squats on Tuesday. I am scheduled to deadlift today and will see how the knee feels during warmups.