Why riders should ‘listen to their knees’
THE link between riding and knee problems, and the importance of seeking specialist advice, has been highlighted by a top surgeon.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Ian
McDermott, who specialises in knees and sports injury, has stressed riders need to
“listen to their knees” when it comes to injury prevention and rehabilitation.
“If you have a problem, get it looked at by a medical professional,” he urged, adding that it is important to find a medical specialist who understands the sport.
Mr McDermott said two-thirds of the knee problems he sees are sports-related, and riders make up “a lot” of that category. Women are at a significantly higher risk of certain types of knee injuries than men due to hormone differences. This is significant as around 74% of riders in the UK are women.
The extra strain and repetitive trauma that riding puts on the joint is a common cause for problems he sees.
“[Riders] can be very good at denial — if they have a problem, they don’t want to hear it,” he said. “They are exactly like runners — the best way to upset a runner or a rider is to tell them to stop.”
He added that sometimes this is what riders need to hear in order to heal and be able to return to the sport.
Dozens of readers have contacted H&H to share their experiences of a range of ridingrelated knee injuries and how
they cope — including switching saddles, surgery, physiotherapy, knee supports and rest.
Among those was Kate Sullivan, who seriously considered giving riding up due to the wearand-tear-related problems the sport caused to her knee joints.
She had her first surgery at the age of 21 and her second three months later.
“I was lucky and my physio was absolutely amazing, but it still took three months of having physio five days a week and then twice a week for a year to walk without my cane — she worked very hard on me,” said Kate.
She added she feels very lucky to be walking and riding again.
Eventer Tina Canton sustained a tibial plateau fracture while riding just over two years ago. Following surgery, rest and two stints at Oaksey House, she too has regular physiotherapy.
Many readers have told H&H they have tried different stirrup lengths or saddle styles to find a comfortable position. Mr McDermott added stirrup length does have a direct impact on the amount of loading put on the patellofemoral joint — the joint between the kneecap and the femur — and said lengthening leathers can help some riders.
He also stressed that seeking help does not necessarily mean surgery, and there have been
“huge advances” in medicine and diagnosis techniques even in the past 10 years.