Cyclists Clinic: Keeping you on the roads and trails

Cycling is a repetitive sport, with a rider averaging up to 5,400 pedal revolutions during one hour of cycling. This repetitive load can cause soft tissue in your legs to break down, resulting in pain and inability to ride. Causes of overuse injuries and tissue breakdown are numerous, including muscular imbalances (weakness, inflexibility, leg mal-alignment, leg length discrepancy), improper bike fit, training error and inappropriate pedaling mechanics.

Madison, Wisconsin is consistently rated one of the top places in the United States to bike. With breathtaking scenery and leg-crushing hills, Dane County is any cyclist's dream. Unfortunately, cycling does come with its drawbacks. Research has demonstrated that approximately 85 percent of recreational cyclists will sustain an injury, with the knee accounting for 60 percent of cycling overuse injuries.

Our Cyclists Clinic has a very unique distinction – our physical therapists are also certified bike fitters. Their education and experience with human biomechanics and performance, with road and tri-bike fit certifications from Trek and Serrota, make them experts in fitting you to the bike and the bike to you.

In addition to not being bound to one cycling-brand, our clinic also does not sell bike parts. This eliminates any conflict-of-interest related to profiting from the sale of new bike parts. We do have components to trial for fit. When new parts are recommended, we will help the cyclist get them through local bike shops or dealers.

Our team of physical therapists perform a thorough assessment, including bike measurements and a biomechanical fit assessment. This is followed by bike adjustments and/or physical therapy treatment to return you safely to pain-free riding with a decreased risk of re-injury.

Medical bike fit (60 minutes)

Biomechanical assessments are used in combination with a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation to address your injury or pain. During the initial evaluation, patients receive: 

• Cycling history review

• Physical examination (i.e., flexibility, strength, skeletal alignment, foot structure)

• Biomechanical analysis of cycling technique

• Bike measurements and biomechanical fit assessment

• Treatment plan and bike fit adjustments, as appropriate

• Injury treatment and prevention education

• Follow-up visits scheduled as needed

• This will be billed to your insurance

Performance bike fit (60 minutes)

Biomechanical assessments are used in combination with a physical screening. During the appointments, clients receive: 

• Cycling history review

• Physical screening (i.e., flexibility, strength, skeletal alignment, foot structure)

• Biomechanical analysis of cycling technique.

• Bike measurements and biomechanical fit assessment

• Bike fit adjustments, as appropriate

• Follow-up visits scheduled as needed

• A visit costs $199.
  

We offer sports rehabilitation services at UW Health clinics on the east and west side of Madison.