Vic Goradia, MD
Knee, Shoulder, & Sports
Medicine Specialist
Go Orthopedics
GoOrtho.net

Question: I am concerned about my knees. I have old injuries that date back to my football career and took up cycling a few years ago. I have recently been doing more and more distance riding and have been noticing some discomfort after riding. What are the long-term effects of knee injuries? What can be done to prevent further injury to the knee? Did I push it too hard, too fast?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer since I do not know the details of your old football injuries. If you had mild sprains, strains and contusions while playing football, then there should not be any long term effect. However if the football injuries were more severe tears of your cartilage, meniscus or ligaments, then these can definitely have serious long term effects especially if they were not treated early.

For example a torn meniscus (the shock absorber cartilage between the bones in your knee) left untreated can increase in size and even lead to arthritis. Similarly a torn ligament can cause instability of your knee which over many years can lead to arthritis.

The most important thing you can do is to have an examination and x-rays by an orthopedic knee specialist. The doctor will be able to determine if you have developed arthritis or if there is some other cause for your symptoms that can be corrected. He/she will also be able to make recommendations regarding your bike riding and other activities.