Nebraska Medicine Physical and Occupational Therapy Clinic at Clarkson Doctors Building South

I met with Physical Therapist Amy Collison not long after Nebraska Medicine PT started offering bike-fit appointments. This was at the Village Pointe location. I had been having knee issues on the bike. It kept me from taking long (50+ mile) rides or finishing the CX race season. I had already seen an orthopedist and had an MRI taken, which showed a small tear in my meniscus and considerable bone bruising on the inside knee-joint end of my femur. I had also already been going to physical therapy related to the knee pain and the results of the MRI. That PT was with Kyle Bown at Crossroads PT in Lincoln, which was extremely helpful on its own, but it didn't look specifically at my movements on the bike, which is why I scheduled this appointment. Amy was friendly and inquisitive, clearly familiar with the dynamics of cycling. The process at our first appointment involved several measurements with me on the bike, questions about my equipment, and adjustments to my saddle and cleats. Nebraska Medicine had tools and a bike trainer on hand. Amy watched me pedal and made several more adjustments to my cleats, and recommended two things. First, slightly narrower handlebars or a slightly shorter stem to improve comfort and reduce hand numbness (a lesser issue for me). And second, exercises to correct a muscle imbalance on my right side that causes my knee to track improperly. These were new exercises meant to complement others i was already doing. Five days after my appointment, I rode hard and for longer than I had been able to in three months — with considerably less knee pain than before. Most of all, she helped me "tune in" to the problem muscles while riding. I felt confident about Amy's diagnosis because of her own background in bike racing, her training and experience performing bike fits, and of course because she's a physical therapist who understands physiology and its impact on human performance. Most bike-fit services I'm aware of are offered by bike shops, where there's at least a perception of being motivated to sell people new parts. I plan to schedule follow ups and expect it will lead to greater pedaling efficiency and comfort, with less pain, and will likely improve other aspects of life. Highly recommended.