Bicycle Fitting Case No. 1
History: Requested fit due to low back and hip pain while riding. Chronic saddle sores.
Exam Findings: Musculoskeletal exam found moderate tightness of hip musculature with associated changes in hip joint mobility. On the bike, the athlete had significant pelvic rotation due to the muscle tightness, leading to inefficient pedaling style and crooked posture. The left knee tracked very close to the top tube while the right knee tracked away from the bike. With plumb bob measurement, the right knee was found to be 2 cm ahead of the pedal spindle while the left knee was 3 cm behind the pedal spindle - a net Right/Left difference of 5 cm.
Diagnosis, Treatment, Fitting: This fit would be difficult to complete without accurate diagnosis and treatment, so the athlete was treated during the bike fit for the hip muscle and joint problems. After treatment, the net Right/Left difference was down to 1.5 cm, and the fit was completed.
Follow Up: The athlete was treated several more times for the hip problems discovered during the HPC fit process. The athlete was provided rehabilitation exercises - both on and off the bike - to facilitate the recovery process. Over time, the Right/Left difference was eliminated, pedaling motion became notably more efficient, and the athlete experienced pain-free pedaling.
CONCLUSION
If you are having pain on the bike, your position-might only be part of the problem. In this case, the fit outcome would have been unsatisfactory if the fitting process did not involve-diagnosis and treatment of the hip problems.
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