knee injury

I'm assuming you're taking about pain underneath the kneecap? 

You can't take ibuprofen or shouldn't take it?  I take blood pressure medication and hence shouldn't take it (and I might add that I hate taking any medication for anything!) but for me, with just a few (say just 2 in the morning and 2 later in the day) for just one day is enough.  The little I know about anti-inflams is to avoid taking last thing at night as that will aggravate stomach ulcers -perhaps speak to your doctor.

 Alternateively (or in addition to) - ice, ice, ice - an ice pack or even a pack of frozen peas.  Just say 2 minutes at a time on each area (try below the knee cap, either side of the knee cap, and directly on top of the knee cap) - 2 mins x 2 or 3 times on each spot - acouple of times a day if you can.

 Whilst the bike may not aggravate the injury, it may be preventing it from improving.  As hard as it is (and I'm assuming your from UK/Europe so with the little good weather you have it'll be hard to take a break from cycling/running) - have a couple of weeks off - try some swimming (I hate swimming but it will at least keep you moving).

Hope the above helps.

Damien (Australia)

thankyou damien,

i did wonder if the bike was preventing it from improving. i took ibuprofen last year after the london marathon, as i had achiles tendonitis and i ended up aggravating an ulcer and being on antibiotics for 6 weeks so now im paranoid about taking them as an aggravated ulcer is very painful!

 thanks for your advice, do you think i should stop seeing my therapist, who is costing me a fortune, and just rest it out?

It all depends on what the injury is

I had key hole last year to repair a torn cartlidge but was whilst waiting for the NHS to sort out an appointment i couldn't run but was advised to continue cycling as it was felt the impact of the running was the issue and with the cycling there was no impact .

Even after surgery i was encouraged to get back cycling asap and it took another 6 months before i could run again .

You coudl end up resting your knee for weeks and as soon as you run again it will hurt .

I know its frustrating buit best is to see yout GP and see if they can get you refered to consultant of NHS physio . Thats what happend to me and i am now running again . The only frustrating thing is that it took 10 months from seeing my GP to getting the operation performed

i have a swelling uder the knee cap slightly to the right, but i also have a dull ache above the knee cap?? its the swelling that wont go and my therapist seems to think it may be a slight bursitis but i cant afford to pay out for a scan. also when i did the marathon my hip was in alot of pain from around 18 miles then my knee went from under me at 24 miles but i kept running, with a limp, till the end (as you do!) so whatever i have done could be to do with my hip??

i need to cycle or something because im still eating like im marathon training!!

i will go to my gp this week i think after what you have said - i wonder if my therapist would write me a letter for my gp for free!!