Body Help PLEASE!?

Question

Hey

I've been freeriding for about a year now and lately my knees have been getting very sore (not from riding though). I'm going to a pediotrist and when i told my friend about this he said that eventually i will always have pain in my knees (like some of his friends do) if i keep freeriding because of the impact from landing jumps. Now if i only freerode then this wouldn't be a problem but i play football and have great potencial (im only 13) but i can't play with my knees right now because of so sore they are now. After i get orthodics they will be fine but if i keep freeriding eventually will my knees become this sore again cos if they do then i'll have to choose between football and riding which will be imposible for me cos I love doing both. So what im asking is:

Does freeride wreck your knees?????

Oh, and answers like just don't play football please

Answer 1

I don't know much about all this, but I think you should see a personal trainer or physical therapist. they can teach you how to strengthen the muscles around your knees to make sure they stay in proper alignment, which would help your knees last longer.

Answer 2

Forget the chiropractor c**p. They crack backs not feet and knees and can't cure cancer either. How idiotic.

Riding (and free riding) generally doesn't cause knee problems if your bike is set up OK. Usually running and sports like B-ball tennis etc can though. I wouldn't worry about the riding, it's the football etc. that would be the problem.

Answer 3

Not sure what a pediotrist is, but if you mean podiatrist, that's not the right type of doctor to see if you have sports related knee pain.  You need to see a Sports Medicine specialist that can evaluate the cause of your knee pain and recommend an appropriate treatment regime.  

As to whether or not free riding wrecks your knees, maybe it is affecting you, maybe it's the football playing, and maybe it's a combination of both. Only a real doctor can help you, but please take care of your knees now while you are still young, as you don't want to be crippled before you are even 20!

Answer 4

hey i play football too and i have a problems with my knee too... im 16 tho... but im not sure about the whole free riding thing... but u should use the RICE ( REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION  ) ... method maybe it might bring some of the swelling down or soreness... also... doing leg lifts at the gym... (not heavy weight) wouldnt heart either... do little weight with alot of reps... but i hope ur knees hold up man cuz ur really gonna need em' later on in ur football career trust me...

Aye if u want add me on messanger and we can talk iight... lataz.

Answer 5

Go to a Chiropractor.  They are absolutely amazing.  You'll feel better in no time.

Answer 6

I suppose it depends on whether you're riding a dual-suspension bike or a full-suspension bike.  Heh-heh.  ;o)  

Freeriding is tough on the body for sure....and if I remember right, you said you're riding a Komodo hardtail.  Hardtails put more impact into you, even if you ride with perfect skill and have smooth landings.  Maybe a change to a different bike would help.  

Most knee complaints I've heard about (in freeride, dirt jumps, and park/street riding) have been from crashing.  Landing the drops and jumps and blowing through rocks takes the whole body for a ride, but knees usually get off easy.  Ankles, wrists, and your back are what seem to get most of the aches, along with your neck.

You're young and doing two high-impact sports....maybe you should pick one and give your body time to grow, rest, and heal from the stresses you give it.  It could be a temporary thing with your growing bones, but you don't want to risk any permanent damage, y'know?  Knees, like most other parts of your skeletal system, are important and handy to have in life!   :o)

I agree with Anomaly17, if you're going to a podiatrist, you need to switch to either an orthopaedist or a sports medicine doctor that has experience with mountain biking.  Podiatrists aren't stupid (they're doctors), but they specialize in feet and ankles, so you're likely to get the best information and treatment from another kind of doctor.   If you have foot alignment issues, however, then maybe those orthotic inserts will help you out.   (Seems like it wouldn't help as much with these two sports, but heck, I'm no expert on that.)

And sorry, dude....if I had to pick one just simply based on my knees, I'd *definitely* pick the bike over football.  Football tears you up....ask any doctor or physical therapist!   The only thing worse is rugby or motocross.

Good luck....I hope the doc can help you feel better and keep on doing what you love.