Help With Knee Brace/wrap

[CHRIS]

After the hike up M/W this Sat. my left knee was killing me on the way down. I went to Dicks sporting Goods and they have so many different kinds of braces that I don't know wich one to buy. My pain goes thru the middle from left to right on my left knee. So I was wondering if anybody else has had the same issues and what kind of wrap or brace do they use. I hate to buy the wrong one. It only hurts on the way down. Thanks in advance for any help anybody can give me.

[Bill O]

Go see a doctor. You could have any one of 137 different things wrong with your knee and seeking medical advice from a group of Mount Washington lovers is probably not a good idea. Tips for preventing blisters yes, tips for knee injuries no.

On top of that I really hate the idea of braces, splints, pills, patches, balms or other remedies that only alleviate the problem rather than fixing it. Which is why I'm not a doctor.

[FisherCat]

Go see a doctor. You could have any one of 137 different things wrong with your knee and seeking medical advice from a group of Mount Washington lovers is probably not a good idea. Tips for preventing blisters yes, tips for knee injuries no.

On top of that I really hate the idea of braces, splints, pills, patches, balms or other remedies that only alleviate the problem rather than fixing it. Which is why I'm not a doctor.

I must totally agree.OTC remedies should sometimes stay exactly where they are, On The Counter. Wait for direction from a doctor's diagnosis
instead of self-remedy in this case. If you want to continue hiking, you need your knees. I'm only saying this because I tried for years to get by with a torn ACL, and it can be done, but what I was doing was making it worse, I needed a specialist.

[CHRIS]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to wait till after STP because I don't want to be laid up. My wife keeps telling me go see my doctor but I am stubborn. It only bothers me when I am hiking down putting more work on it I guess. I just got into hiking in fact I just did my second hike ever this time up Mount Washington . I am serously hooked on hiking. After STP I will probably go see the doc. I guess I was just trying to look for a bandaid. Thanks again..

[donnellyvj]

This is not medical advise. I hike with adjustable poles and this helps me with the impact on the way down.

[mary]

the knee is a complicated joint consisting of several structures....including bones....tendons and ligaments....there are two c-shaped pieces of cartilage known as the menisci that curve around the inside and outside of the knee to stabilize and cushion the joint....conservative treatment such as rest....ice and over the counter medication is probably a given but you really should see your doctor and rule out any serious problem and you should probably do it before your next hike....think about how important your knees are....good luck....

[BlueDog]

Chris, out of curiosity... do you have flat feet/fallen arches? I was getting similar knee pains for a while, especially after long runs or hikes. I went to a physical therapist, worked on some exercises... but the biggest difference was getting good inserts for my running shoes and hiking boots. Its made a remarkable improvement in my knee pain. EMS or REI carries SuperFeet inserts and I highly recommend them.

[Bill O]

I agree about the poles. If you are going to continue to hike I'd suggest trying adjustable poles. On the way down it can take a significant amount of stress off your knees.

Wait to see what a doctor says about the various wraps. Most of them are just expensive socks.

[Great Guinness Ghost]

I agree with everyone else. A doctors advice is best. However, if you are going to wait 'til after STP and your knee only hurts on the way down, then might I suggest a ride down the Auto Road in one of their stages. They sell tickets at the stage office at the summit on a first come first serve basis. I know several hikers who did this last year and it certainly helped my knees...ah, I mean their knees feel better! Best of luck.

[CHRIS]

I do use poles on the way down. My knees never bothered me at all even when I jog only happens when I am coming down off a hike. I am going to get into see my doc. As for flat feet or fallen arches I don't believe I have that because I would think it would have bothered me before but I am no doc. I will see what she says.I will be going to REI this weekend to get some hiking boots for my wife and daughter I might try a pair of Superfeet inserts. Thanks everybody for all your advice.