Persistent Knee Problems

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I need some advise.

I currently suffer from patellar tendonitis of the knees. Stretching and frequent icing helps, but the problem persists. Big hits of Ibuprofen help after rides in excess of 50 miles with lots of climbing.

My bike fit hasn't really helped much. I have long femurs (5'10" with 34" inseam) that put the plumb-bob about 3-5mm infront of the pedal axle. I have 172.5mm cranks and Speedplay pedals with about 15 degrees of float. The seat has long rails (Specialized) and is as far back as it can go. The seatpost has about the same off-set as the Easton EC70. I've read shorter crankarms and limiting the pedal float to 5 degrees could help.


I'm currently looking for a seatpost with more off-set, but have found none. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Lastly, has anyone seen an improvement with shorter crankarms or less pedal float (given you also had patellar tendonitis)?

Thanks for any input,
Fernando

Have you tried raising the saddle? Also, there is a new kind of treatment for tendonitis that seems to work well for some patients where they use a machine that generates a focused acoustic 'shock wave' that alleviates the symptoms of tendonitis without having to have surgery. Most insurance plans cover it, so it might be a good thing to ask your doctor about.

Check out:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/1044-cyclists-knee-injuries.htm

Tim