Orthopaedics
THE MOST COMMON SPORTS INJURIES FROM CYCLING – AN OVERVIEW
Injuries caused by cycling or biking are often the result of external influences. Accidents and falls are the main causes of cycling accidents. However, incorrect posture or overloading can also lead to pain after cycling. As a rule of thumb, the more reckless the ride on the bike, the higher the risk of injury. We have summarised the most common types of injury and treatment methods for you. You will also find tips on how to proactively prevent cycling injuries.
Cycling
CYCLING INJURIES
What are the most common cycling injuries and how can we treat them?
Back pain
Cycling is a question of posture. Especially when riding a road bike, many people tend to overstretch their heads. The neck reacts to this with tension or the back hurts when you get off the bike. A chronic or structural change can be the long-term consequence of an incorrect posture when cycling. To prevent all this, cyclists should ensure that they sit upright when cycling. However, the lumbar spine can also cause pain after cycling. This pain is often caused by an incorrect posture on the bike. This pain can be counteracted by consciously training the back muscles. If these measures do not work or the pain does not subside, we recommend that you make an appointment for an examination with our orthopaedic specialists. At the ETHIANUM Clinic, we can guarantee you close and interdisciplinary co-operation with spinal surgery.
Numbness in the arms
In specialist jargon, it is not only numbness in the arms that is referred to when it comes to sports injuries from cycling. These are usually so-called injuries to the upper extremities. Vibrations, incorrect posture or pressure loads can trigger this numbness. In many cases, it helps to improve the suspension on the bike or to optimise the grip positions on the bike. However, if the numbness does not disappear, we recommend that you make an appointment with a specialist in our sports orthopaedics department to rule out neuronal dysfunctions.
Leg and hip pain
Overloading, muscle stiffness, shortened muscles – all these factors can lead to pain and injuries when cycling. If these do not subside on their own by resting the legs, it is advisable to consult an orthopaedic specialist. They can check whether the sitting position and posture on the bike are ideal or whether therapeutic measures need to be taken. These may include the administration of anti-inflammatory medication, infiltrations or physiotherapy.
Acute bruises and fractures
Falling off a bike can result in acute bruising or even fractures. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, a visit to a specialist is essential. It is irrelevant whether the accident was caused by yourself or by someone else. Only a specialist can give advice and, if necessary, ensure a speedy recovery with bandages or a plaster cast. In general, however, we can only emphasise this: Reduce your risk of serious injuries or even craniocerebral injuries by always wearing a well-fitting helmet when cycling!
