For a few years now I have had patella-formal pain syndrome in my right knee. I have been to the doctors and received physiotherapy but this does not seem to have had any positive impact on my knees despite doing the exercises regularly. One thing I was told would improve my knee is cycling - I sold my car a few months ago and bought a bike instead. My right knee hasn't got any better, but my left knee has got a whole lot worse.
It's embarrasing but I actually cannot sit down or stand up without a lot of support, and I have to lower/raise myself using my arms. The pain in both knees are very different though...
Right knee
- Hurts if doing a single legged squat with foot planted
- Grinds and crunches regularly
- Incredible pain when sat for long periods - it needs to be stretched and extended
- Pain whilst going between sitting/standing positions
Left knee
- Hurts if doing a single legged squat with heel raised
- Sharp inner pain - no clicking, grinding or crunching
- Feels fine after sitting for long periods
- Pain whilst going between sitting/standing positions
Here's the thing I really don't get though - I cycle to work and back 5 times a week, I play badminton 3 times a week, and I play football (soccer) 2 or 3 times a week - and apart from the opening couple of minutes, whilst doing these things I feel absolutely no pain at all, and indeed both during and afterwards my knees feel a lot better.
The physio has told me that with the knee problems I have, doing exercise (playing football/badminton) shouldn't hurt it at all, and in fact may help strengthen it, especially the cycling. But after 3+ years of having these troubles now with no improvement I am starting to wonder if I should start taking it easier?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be very welcome, thank you!