Sonu/Murat

Sonu

Murat

Can

Fucking Chondromalacia Patella

I am going to write about my knee problem and what I’ve been through since couple of years. What I did and searching for some ways to cure my uncurable shitty knee. I am 28 years old and I live in Istanbul(yes, hilly). I’ve been riding fixed gear bicycles for 6-7 years.I’ve been told my left knee has chondromalacia patella problem, back then I’ve been riding brakeless and riding very often plus four season. Anyway, let’s keep it chronological, 3 years ago a slight, slight pain occurred at my left knee. It was so slight that I could ignore it but I went to couple of doctors and they all told me the same ”It is Ok, keep it warm” etc. so I did. But I kept riding. Very random slight pain has never left (usually when I walk). Then like a year later one night when I was walking, suddenly a great pain stuck to my knee, it was more like a needle or a blade stabbed to it.It took seconds to disappear. So I decided to take it more serious and decided to see more popular doctors. Couple of X-rays, then I learned what chondromalacia patella is.

 

At that time there was only random slight pain, later mechanical problem added which is like when I tighten my quad and bend my leg from fully straight, on an angle my knee cap moves a bit inside, side (maybe a half mm tracking problem) and there is no pain while doing it. Just my brain goes what tha fuck! Later my MR showed that my left knee cartilage has damaged but not that bad. So they gave me vitamins and some physical therapy exercises at home. I’ve watched tons of videos and dug a lot on internet. I’ve been told that I should strengthen my quads from my doctors. But it’s obvious that that will not enough. I regularly did stretching moves for my legs. I’ve started to gym. Never put pressure to my knees just inside, outside weight lifting for quad muscles etc. I did not ride my bikes for couple of months. But it was so hard for me to live without riding, I’ve started again. I did put front brake to my daily ride. I am riding not that crazy anymore and am riding not so often. I’m missing good old times, a lot. Each ride feels precious, feels like I’m running out of time. I feel like a dying cancer patient cuz my shitty knee never goes better. It is not that critical for now but keeps my head very busy and I am tired of thinking of it. I went to physical therapy couple of sessions + had done massage couple of times, still doing exercises like three times a week at home. BUT I don’t see much improvement, yes my leg muscles are healthier, and stronger. Since I have a shitty knee I’ve been working out, not only lower body and I enjoy that. I really try to eat healthy. These are positive facts.

Here is BUT part: My left knee is incredibly sensitive, when a hard object touches to my patella, I literally jump. Mechanical problem was always there. Not yet effects my range of motion etc. but fucking my brain up every time I feel it. Shitty one is always colder than the other, except the mornings. When I wake up generally the opposite. Not burning but hotter. Random pain comes and goes. Not only moving, sometimes it hurts when I’m sitting or lying or walking, completely random. And the last one; my leg muscles are always a bit stiff, especially my left IT band . Tender tissues are not releasing although I am massaging myself a lot, foam roller, massage balls, stretching, leg lotions, muscle relaxants etc.

Options: at this point I’m very desperate and I’m open for any solution ideas. My doctor wanted to shot me a durolane injection. But I unfortunately googled it and there are not so many positive things written about it. He said that ”we will one by one use our weapons, first durolane.” but I’d like to postpone any injection or any surgery as long as possible, not to regret it later. And quit cycling is not an option for me I guess, I can give a break but…mmm my drug =( plus, no doctor said me quit cycling or something. I bet they don’t know what fixed gear is tho.

I think I still got enough cartilage, I’d like to spend it efficiently. Because I want to ride my bicycle. Please contact me if you got some advice to share. what should I do, who should I see, what should I ride?

There are two links that I want to add:
●  http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
●  http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html

bike rides and high fives

to me,
punk rock means dirty knees, bikes, not cars
It means being sad when you can’t see the stars at night!

Ahmet’s Nagasawa

Nice Japanese Shit. More Here.

Bebopbag

Lovely people, nice craftsmanship, mostly produce for film industry, also the only custom bag makers for cyclists and messengers in the city.
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far ride mag. volume one!

Far Ride Magazine vol 01, i got the second issue couple of days ago. It is so nice to be the part of such a beautiful magazine. Marijana and Micael Stechow’s article is as neat as riding with them. Reading it reminds that lovely night once again. Istanbul ❤ far ride

BFF Istanbul

Last week Istanbul hosted Bicycle Film Festival for the third time. Despite of the rain at first night, no electricity on second night, plus the generator was dead and on Saturday a parked car in our polo court, even so we had amazing 4 days, plenty of bike stuff! And there were a lot inspiring movies worth to watch over and over again.
Istanbul bike polo played at the parking lot! …and yes we had a fucking car parked in our court and the ground was so full of dust and sand that made everybody scare to brake, game was nice though. it was fun!
”(k)anıtlar alleycat” First alleycat in the city! I manage to convince the organizers to make an alleycat. Not me cuz i want to race!  The race took place on Sunday afternoon.  8 people participated. We could be more at least like 4 times but it was announced too late. We ran 7 k, not a long route but there were insane hills like walls and Istanbul’s traffic is always like hell, you should see… anyway here are the snaps from whole event.

Melons, trucks and angry dogs. ❤

…and yes i watched ”Road Sage” the second time! It was the last movie of the festival. Once a year is not enough! Can’t describe my feelings and the awesomeness of that movie. Incredible footage, incredible sounds, music, people, riding… just too much! Gives me a great energy, make me wanna go out and ride, keep pedaling, most importantly makes me happy, a lot.