Should I Ice My Knee Before or After I Cycle?
By Dr. Kathy Weber on Aug 12, 2009 with View Comments
Should I Ice My Knee Before or After I Cycle?
Expert advice on icing your knee before cycling
Kathy Weber, M.D., M.S.
Director of the Women’s Sports Medicine and Primary Care Sports Medicine
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois.
QUESTION:
I have mild to moderate pain after I ride my bicycle in my knee (knee cap). Should I ice it before or after I ride or both and for how long?
ANSWER:
Pain in the front of your knee may indicate that you have a knee cap condition referred to as patellofemoral syndrome. If you have knee cap pain with cycling you should incorporate a good stretching program that includes stretching of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and the iliotibial band. Icing at the conclusion of cycling and other activities for 20 minutes is helpful to reduce inflammation and pain. Icing periodically during the day may also prove to be beneficial. If you have persistent pain or swelling develops you should be seen by a sports medicine physician for further evaluation and treatment.
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Filed Under: Anatomy of Injuries • Ask the Experts • Athlete's Corner • Pain Relief
