UKC

Hey guys, 

Today I went walking around some local hills, for the 1st time in 12 months. I’ve had several meniscus tears and had surgery in February to get it sorted (2nd time). I was told after my surgery I have grade 3 OA in the joint, so will always get some pain most likely. The pain was just soo bad on the descent today. 
Anyway, someone suggest a fancy-shmancy custom knee brace could be an option for hill days. Even if it just halved my pain, I’d be grateful.  I can’t imagine not getting out. 
Has anyone had any experience with this? I’m told it’s best to get one properly fitted by people who know what they’re doing. 
Based in Kendal, so if anyone knows of anyone locally, I’d appreciate it. 
Cheers, 

Kyle. 

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Also, I already use Walking Poles. 
 

👍🏻

In reply to Kyle Warlow:What shoes? I son't like running in them but a pair of Hoka trail running shoes with a lot of cushioning has helped me a lot with similar

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Hi Kyle, my knees haven’t been through half of what yours have but they still cause me pain on hill days. Pre-lockdown I spent 3 days in Scotland and tried kinesiology tape and was seriously impressed. Free wax to my leg when I peeled it off but it certainly gave a degree of support. Fairly cheap so may be worth a try. Good luck.

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Ossur Unloader is generally reckoned to be the best OA brace on the market but sometimes different braces suit people better.

I can put you onto somebody who will do a proper assessment and sort you out, are you prepared to travel a bit?

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

You may need something more specialised, but might be worth trying something cheaper first. I use one of these for my intermittent knee problems and it is very effective: https://www.boots.com/boots-advanced-adjustable-knee-support-10170862

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

I would, like the previous poster, consider kinesiology tape. I used it during rehab after a knee injury and despite all the critical reviews it appeared really helpful. May have been placebo, but the physio showed me the technique and I kept it going for a few months. I also had a lot of hip and quad exercises so I would definitely speak to a sport oriented physio. 
 

Hope this helps and good luck. Steve. 

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

I'd suggest getting a copy of the trigger point therapy workbook and a couple of firm balls (tennis ones work well).

Find the trigger points you probably have in your quads and spend a few minutes, several times a day in enough discomfort to break a sweat.

In reply to Andrew Lodge:

Absolutely! If you could send me their details that would be great. 
Thank you. 

In reply to Garston:

I used Tape when my knees weren’t so bad and it didn’t really do anything then. Can’t see it helping now. 
Thanks for the input though. 

In reply to Robert Durran:

Will definitely try something like that for now. 
Thank you! 

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

It might be worth having a gait analysis done and then consider whether orthotics might help. This has helped by knees a lot. Also, taking Turmeric has helped.

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Get stronger, check your posture, check your gait. Much more important for your long term knee health than a brace, taping or orthotics.

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

I find cycling a good way to strengthen my knees for the hills.  It can be as gentle or brutal an exercise as you wish

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

You need to keep the leg muscles strong to help take pressure off the joint - so look on line for some strengthening exercises or speak to a sports physio to get advice. And don't try to do too much too soon

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Some are doing online as well. But certainly just get professional help. Sally Fawcett is Sheffield and has been doing online I think, very good fell/ultra running physio.

In reply to Kyle Warlow:

Another thing.  For some years I have used custom formed insoles  as I have suffered from plantar fasciitis since my 50s and not only did the insoles allow me to go back into the hills for long days out at a point where I was thinking of giving up hillwalking because of the pain but my knees benefited considerably and unexpectedly from the better boot fit and my toes suffer a lot less going down hill.  My feet had elongated with the collapse of the arch, though I was already diagnosed with "flat feet" in my early 20s without corrective action being suggested then.