Knee pain/swelling after riding?

[Jingleballs]

In preparation for our first XC this weekend I've been focusing more on riding with slightly shorter stirrups to help improve the security of my lower leg.

About 2 weeks ago, after about 2 days of riding short including a 3 hour hack, I had slight discomfort behind my left knee - it wasn't particulary sore - just felt a bit odd.

The next day, I couldn't weight bear on that leg and my knee was swollen although not massively so. I strapped on a support bandage in the morning, took a couple of pain killers and applied some of that freeze gel throughout the day - by that evening it was perfectly fine and I was able to ride agin with no problem!

The slight discomfort is back again today though - it seems to be happening not immediately after riding but a day or 2 after that - after I've had a day off from riding.

Has anyone experienced similar issues? I know if it continues I'll have to go to the doctor but I HATE my doctor - he is rude and has little interest in your problems but that's another story!

I'm wondering if by riding shorter I'm putting more pressure on my knee although I don't grip with my knees at all and I feel more of a pull down the back of my thigh when riding? Or maybe I'm just getting old and my poor joints can't handle that much strain? My mum suffers from pretty severe oesteo and rheumatoid arthritis and has done since she was in her early 20's so I know I'm a candidate for this but I'm in my late 20's and have never had any issues so far!

Welcome any info from people with similar experiences or ideas!!

 

[posie_honey]

mine used to give me a lot of jip but the flexible stirrups help a lot as does riding at both lengths regulariliy so my legs are used to either

 

[Jingleballs]

Interesting suggestion about the flexi stirrups - do they really make that much of a difference?

 

[posie_honey]

Interesting suggestion about the flexi stirrups - do they really make that much of a difference?

they seem to for me - discovered them in the US when i started to get jip riding 6 sets a day - then started hunting everyday and was in real pain lady there got me flexi stirrups and problem seemed to be solved
i have flexi ones on my jumping saddle but do prefer the normal ones for my dressage saddle interestingly - oh and mine are just cheapies but seem to work just fine

 

[Elliep25]

Have you tried iceing it, wrap a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel for 20 mins? If it's done this a couple of times though I'd be tempted to see a physio, gp's likely to only give your more painkillers unless they can refer you to a physio on NHS?