Knees

Phil M said:

I have since bought a couple of walking poles to try next time I go
walking to see if they can help but at the moment I don't think the
knee is up to a day on the fells.

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

The poles are a very good idea, but I'd still rest it first. Sometimes it
can take months unfortunately.

In the meantime, have you tried a knee support? I always carry one when
walking and I've found it very helpful in the past, but I haven't needed it
since I started using poles. Even when resting at home it can be useful,
just to stop you accidentally stressing the knee.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0100010/Trail/searchtext%3EYORK+KNEE+SUPPORT.htm

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/

Phil M said:

I know this has probably beeen discussed many times before but I need some
advise about dodgy knees.

After my last trek (Langdale Pikes) about 5 or 6 weeks ago my left knee has
been really sore, this is not unusual as it is usually a bit ender for a
couple of days after a good walk but this time is just will not go away.
I've tried resting it, didn't work, I've tried gentle exercise which didn't
seem to help either.

The pain seems to be right in the kneecap area and seems worse when I bend
the knee.

I have since bought a couple of walking poles to try next time I go walking
to see if they can help but at the moment I don't think the knee is up to a
day on the fells.

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

Phil.M

Sounds like a cartilage problem. Get a quack to refer you and get it
looked into. You may not need anything doing other than more rest and
some anti inflammatory stuff, but get it looked at.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Phil M wrote

Quoted message said:

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

An assessment by your local sports injury clinic would
yield quicker and more accurate results than a visit to
the GP, although it will cost you a small fee. A worthy
investment in the longevity of your knees.

Chris

Chris Gilbert said:

Phil M wrote

Quoted message said:

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

An assessment by your local sports injury clinic would
yield quicker and more accurate results than a visit to
the GP, although it will cost you a small fee. A worthy
investment in the longevity of your knees.

Chris

Have to back up Chris' advise. Go to a sports physiotherapist. Cost
£30 - £40 for advise that is more reliable than a General
Practitioner, and a waiting time of less than week.

If it is cartilage, then it does depend on what the damage is. I've
had significant problem over 15 years with minor tears to the miniscus
- pain on the inside of the knee joint. Both knees have had keyhole
arthoscopies with the corresponding 6 months full recovery period -
one didn't work and had to be redone after 12 months. 3 years ago my
left knee blew up again, and I consulted another surgeon who basically
said that another operation wouldn't guarantee recovery, so I did
nothing and the causal tear was been re-absorbed after 12 months and I
was able to get back on the hills faster than waiting for the NHS to
operate. It is also interesting that an American medical website
(can't find it now) came out strongly against arthoscopies for the
very reason that they rarely resolved the problem in the long term -
my own experience backs that up.

Rob

I thank you all for your input.

Shall consult the local sports injury clinic and take it from there.

Phil.M

"Rob G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Chris Gilbert said:

Phil M wrote

Quoted message said:

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

An assessment by your local sports injury clinic would
yield quicker and more accurate results than a visit to
the GP, although it will cost you a small fee. A worthy
investment in the longevity of your knees.

Chris

Have to back up Chris' advise. Go to a sports physiotherapist. Cost
£30 - £40 for advise that is more reliable than a General
Practitioner, and a waiting time of less than week.

If it is cartilage, then it does depend on what the damage is. I've
had significant problem over 15 years with minor tears to the miniscus
- pain on the inside of the knee joint. Both knees have had keyhole
arthoscopies with the corresponding 6 months full recovery period -
one didn't work and had to be redone after 12 months. 3 years ago my
left knee blew up again, and I consulted another surgeon who basically
said that another operation wouldn't guarantee recovery, so I did
nothing and the causal tear was been re-absorbed after 12 months and I
was able to get back on the hills faster than waiting for the NHS to
operate. It is also interesting that an American medical website
(can't find it now) came out strongly against arthoscopies for the
very reason that they rarely resolved the problem in the long term -
my own experience backs that up.

Rob

Phil M wrote

Quoted message said:

Shall consult the local sports injury clinic and take it from there.

Good luck, Phil. I hope it's easily remedied. I know how I felt
when I appeared to have damaged a knee quite badly. The
prospect of a future of severely restricted walking was not
pleasant.

Chris

i had the same problem but i have a friend who is a podiatrist and another
who is a physio and between them they sorted my problem,it is because i am
bow legged and wear and tear was causing it ,so with inserts in my shoes to
straighten up the angle between my knees and my ankle and strenghtehing
exercises it worked for me
"Phil M" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know this has probably beeen discussed many times before but I need some
advise about dodgy knees.

After my last trek (Langdale Pikes) about 5 or 6 weeks ago my left knee
has been really sore, this is not unusual as it is usually a bit ender for
a couple of days after a good walk but this time is just will not go away.
I've tried resting it, didn't work, I've tried gentle exercise which
didn't seem to help either.

The pain seems to be right in the kneecap area and seems worse when I bend
the knee.

I have since bought a couple of walking poles to try next time I go
walking to see if they can help but at the moment I don't think the knee
is up to a day on the fells.

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

Phil.M

"Phil M" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know this has probably beeen discussed many times before but I need some
advise about dodgy knees.

After my last trek (Langdale Pikes) about 5 or 6 weeks ago my left knee
has been really sore, this is not unusual as it is usually a bit ender for
a couple of days after a good walk but this time is just will not go away.
I've tried resting it, didn't work, I've tried gentle exercise which
didn't seem to help either.

The pain seems to be right in the kneecap area and seems worse when I bend
the knee.

Sounds like Chrondomalacia Patella - abrasion of the underside of the
kneecap. (An occupational hazard of Army life - lots of yomping over rough
terrain carrying 100lbs of kit or more...)
the only real treatment is replacement of the kneecap. (ouch!)
Cod liver oil funnily enough seems to ameliorate it, combined with
steady-state cycling.
(I know - I've got it...)

"Phil M" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know this has probably beeen discussed many times before but I need some
advise about dodgy knees.

After my last trek (Langdale Pikes) about 5 or 6 weeks ago my left knee
has been really sore, this is not unusual as it is usually a bit ender for
a couple of days after a good walk but this time is just will not go away.
I've tried resting it, didn't work, I've tried gentle exercise which
didn't seem to help either.

The pain seems to be right in the kneecap area and seems worse when I bend
the knee.

I have since bought a couple of walking poles to try next time I go
walking to see if they can help but at the moment I don't think the knee
is up to a day on the fells.

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

Phil.M

My main problem started in the Cairngorms in 2000 and a fast march over
rocky ground. My left knee became really sore. Over the next 3-4 years it
was constantly sore, especially when descending. Here;s what works for me.

1. Treking poles - these take a lot of stress from the knees.
2. Weight training mostly easy weight with legs extensions and squats.
3. Take up biking (now biking to work and back).
4. Slow descends down mountains - yes I'm now very slow.
5. Sometimes use a ( from poundshop) knee support.
6. Occasionally take Glucosamine Sulphate

I think also I might have a (wobble) in my walking gait as I asked someone
to watch my left leg, he saw a clear wobble (for want of a better word) on
my left leg, but not on my right one. Since then, I have noticed after a
long walk my left foot hitting the road at a very slight off angle.I might
go to a sports clinic in the future to see if they can video it in slow
motion and advise.

Jhimmy

Phil M said:

I know this has probably beeen discussed many times before but I need some
advise about dodgy knees.

After my last trek (Langdale Pikes) about 5 or 6 weeks ago my left knee has
been really sore, this is not unusual as it is usually a bit ender for a
couple of days after a good walk but this time is just will not go away.
I've tried resting it, didn't work, I've tried gentle exercise which didn't
seem to help either.

The pain seems to be right in the kneecap area and seems worse when I bend
the knee.

I have since bought a couple of walking poles to try next time I go walking
to see if they can help but at the moment I don't think the knee is up to a
day on the fells.

You'll have to be more precise, though email is not a great diagnosis
mechanism.

One poster suggests chondramalachea (sp.?) patella, aka runner's knee;
roughness at the back of the kneecap. Is the pain very sharp, as if
someone had inserted grains of broken glass at the back of the kneecap?
The suggested cure for that is strengthening of the muscles above the
knee --- a sort of clenching exercise, standing up, where you tighten
the muscles and draw the kneecap upwards.

Could also be jumper's knee --- patellar tendonitis; inflammation of the
tendon that joins the kneecap to the large bone below it. Feel for the
rounded part of the bone where the tendon connects; if jumper's knee
that will be tender most of the time. Rest may cure that.

Ice may help both of the latter. When I was a runner, I had jumper's
knee for six months once; eventually, acupuncture cure it --- or was it
time? I also had acupuncture for runner's knee --- cured in a week or
so, but then runner's knee never stayed around too long.

From speaking to others, more internal injuries due to (e.g.) twists,
or recurrence of footballer's injuries, are difficult to diagnose and cure.

I have a slightly sore and swollen left knee that doesn't really like
mountains. The pain seems internal, so I'm hesitant about seeing anyone
thinking that it will need internal inspection and a long waiting list.
Coincidentally, my last hill walk was in the Langdale Pikes, and I was
lame for a few weeks after --- that after Haystacks the day before. I
wonder do the steps in some of the popular Lakeland walks put extra
pressure on knees?

Walking poles will definitely help a lot.

As others have suggested, a visit to a good sports physiotherapist
should be high on your agenda. An NHS doctor will dismiss anything that
is not life-threatening or completely disabling.

Best regards,

Jon C.

In message <[email hidden]>, Jhimmy
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I think also I might have a (wobble) in my walking gait as I asked someone
to watch my left leg, he saw a clear wobble (for want of a better word) on
my left leg, but not on my right one.

That'd be the "Broon" Jhimmy :-)
--
Bill Grey