Working the knee for Colorado

[catorres1]

So had my first Elk hunt in Colorado and ran into a little problem with my knee. Apparently, it happens to a lot of Elk hunters, especially those from the flatlands like me. Doesn't help that I have a knee long abused from motorcycle wrecks and a damaged ankle. Long and short, the doc we visited in Colorado told me a bone basically popped out and was crushing the nerve as I walked downhill. I don't mind the pain so much, but eventually, the whole leg went dead for a second, which was kinda uncool. He popped it back in and I'm going to see a doc he recommended here at home, but any advice on how to build up a knee?

I actually had pain in other places in the knee as well (this particular problem manifested in the outside of the knee), so I overall think I need to rehab and build up the whole thing. But wondering what is the best way to do that in flat country...thanks!

 

[Marble]

I would visit a good physical therapy place and describe what you are trying to do.

By other suggestion is to get some good hiking sticks. I was never a fan until this year. The benefits I noticed were:

Walked faster.
Less impact on feet and knees.
Can be used as a shooting stick.
Lessened the impact on my entire body while going downhill.
Going up him it helped keep balance and gave me something to lean on.

I am 41 and in good shape. My dad is 67 and in okay shape. He lives the sticks too.

Just working out regular will also help to prevent pain and injury, unless you already are injured.

 

[catorres1]

Thanks for the response! Yeah, I plan to see the doc the guy recommended, probably get some physical therapy going as well.

As to the sticks, already on those, they are they only reason I was able to go for the rest of the week at all. Love 'em!

I think that is the major issue I have is that I am already injured, that is where this problem has come from in the first place. I just need to to figure out if I am doing something wrong that is re-injuring me, and also how to stregthen or fix what is already weak or faulty that causes it to flare up so intensely.

 

[NoFences]

Hopefully physical therapy will get your knee feeling better. I've had 4 knee surgeries. I keep mine going by doing exercises that build up the quad and calf which stabilizes the knee. I also bike and use a treadmil.

At 56 , I hold my own against the younger members on our SAR team. If I slack off on the exercise, I can feel my knee getting loose.
For me, I'm amazed at how far knee replacement has come. I know I have one or two in my future. I've seen friends a week to 10 days after replacement walking without any devices and saying they wished they had done it sooner.

Good luck .

 

[PBramble]

Once the joint subluxes, it will do it easier next time and each successive one. There are no muscular structures stabilizing the proximal head of the fibula. Taping it during hunts is about the only real non surgical intervention. And I might add, IMO that is not a common injury. It's a very small percentage of knee injuries.

 

[6fatrat]

Find the BEST Ortho you can and follow his advise.

 

[feelinducky]

If the pain is on the outside of.your lower leg Google "peroneal nerve flossing. I have treated a few of.these over the years. Find a chiropractor that adjusts extremities and have some soft tissure work done. They usually resolve, however with your history of ankle and knee problems you should look at orthotics for your feet they will help stabilize the foot and ankle during your gait.
Google "peroneal nerve flossing" and peroneal nerve entrapment.

 

[trumperman]

A physical therapist is a really good look but at you spare time you can practice the following,

Rest your knee.
Ice your knee to ease pain and swelling.
Wrap your knee.
Elevate your leg on a pillow when you sit or lie down.
Take NSAIDs, if needed, like ibuprofen or naproxen.
Do stretching and strengthening exercises, especially for your quadriceps muscles.

 

[catorres1]

Thanks guys, at this point, there is no pain or swelling, that went away pretty fast. It's just as I use in climbing and particularly going downhill, it starts to hurt, and the pain is on the outside of the knee and also sometimes on the inside of the knee (not in the knee but the left and right sides of the knee). I believe it is because my knee is weak from previous accidents, and also because the ankle on that side has somewhat limited mobility, so the knee gets tweeked.

What I think I need to do is figure out the kinds of excercises to strengthen the knee and get additional mobility in the ankle so the knee is not torsionally stressed.

Gonna go see a Chiro on this shortly and also probably a physical therapist to see what I can do to overcome this.

 

[PBramble]

There are NO muscular structures that stabilize that joint. The stabilizers are ligamentous. You can't strengthen ligaments with exercise. Go see a doctor.

 

[alien308]

First Go see your Doc. A physical therapist would also be helpful, get a kneel brace.

 

[Wyodog]

PReamble sounds like he knows what he talking about. Getting my knee repaired was best thing for my hunting and my over all health as well. I just wasn't as active when my knees hurt. I also Believe that when favor a bad knee it can lead to other problems like your hip or back.

 

[26Reload]

Unfortunately I have had three operations on the right knee...
As mqny of these guys are saying...professional help...some of the pains can be associated with pinched nerves, bone chips and tore cartliages...
Hard to pin point some damages because some pieces float around...
Yep....gping up hill feels nicer on the joint..and downhill puts all the pressure on the joint...coastal mountains and now Rockies of SE Idaho are lots of fun...
Doc should point you in direction of a knee specialist...if and after surgery the next is a therapist....
What i have found is good hiking shoes(I have salomons above ankle gortex)...walking flat land to warm up joints and muscles and then a nice leisure time up a semistep road bed for half mile or so....after things feel better....bigger up hills.....
Good luck....its hell getting old.....

 

[cbat]

Knee sleeves. I have arthritis in my knees and the sleeves really help. But you got to exercise those joint also to keep the fluids pumping.