Knees!!

[LASTINLINE]

through the years dealing with overdoing things can make my knee blow up out of the blue.most of the problem i believe is having a touch of gout. ive learned to lock my knees more and pay attention when too much pressure is transferred to my knees.things like going up and down a ladder or jumping in the back of a truck bed is bad on the knees if you transfer weight wrong. sounds like you need to slow it down and pay more attention to how you use your knees.

 

[307]

Looking for some tips on dealing with knee issues and I figure there's no better place than visiting with you Western studs that can put the miles on in mountain country.

I'm only 35, 6-0, 175. Above average fitness. Carpenter. The last couple years elk hunting, I feel I'm in great shape, but after an 8-10 mile day, will randomly have a knee just go to hell. Done. Flared up. Usually better by the next morning though. Last year when it gave up, I was several miles and several thousand feet elevation change from camp. Brutal.

Swore I'd have stronger legs this year to avoid that, but with 2 months to go, and both knees feeling "tweaked" from time to time, I'm getting nervous! I hiked just over 8 miles yesterday through some pretty steep canyons with a 60 lbs pack, and felt good, but knees still don't feel strong. I'm determined to get a handle on this before September!
Any tips from fellow hunters who've no doubt dealt with something similar? Preferably something other than "suck it up, you're getting old!"

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You might want to start with a diagnosis. Knee pain can be caused by a lot of different things. Once you know what is going on, and the type of pain or possibly tissue damage (not always), then you can formulate a plan for what to do about it. Otherwise, it's just guessing and hoping.

Activity modification (don't do what hurts), gradual return of stress to the tissue (slowly condition the tissues over time) seem to be the most effective recommendations provided that there isn't significant tissue damage in the area.

 

[Huntindog45]

for a years i laughed at trekking poles. then i used them. not sure if you have made the switch yet but they will help your knees.

 

[hflier]

Look up Navy Seals BUDDS knee training video on You Tube. I am going on 55 and had lots of knee pain and a few weeks of doing those exercise religiously fixed mine. The main cause on knee issues is imbalance of muscles. Also, 8 miles of 60lbs, you are pushing it.

 

[bigdesert10]

Here's my two cents:
1) More strength training (squats, lunges, deadlifts)
2) Stretch regularly
3) Foam roll (similar effect to massage, for me)
4) Make sure you're getting enough fat in your diet
5) Dial back the weighted hikes significantly. They're great for cardio and muscular endurance, but you're not doing your joints any favors. Only time I pack that heavy is when I'm actually hunting. There are lower impact options for conditioning.
6) See a good PT. They're not just for old guys after knee replacements.

Also, while I haven't jumped on the wagon myself, the trekking poles sound like a great suggestion, and I've been strongly considering it.

 

[Tanya Avery]

Been on the outside of right knee for 8 or 10 months now and inside of left knee started about a month and a half ago.

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That's where mine used to be, I got those straps for 'tennis elbow' to put pressure on where it hurt and it helped a bit. When I started hiking steep mountains it really strengthened my glute muscles where I have been told is where the IT band pain originates, from my runner friends. It has been a few years since I've had that knee pain . So I guess the STEEP mountain hiking did it for me.


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[arri1942]

would be good to dose up on ibuprofen before and take while hunting. Also, have you used knee wraps/braces? Also glucosamine/chondroitin in addition to Omega 3s.

 

[bridgerbenson]

Thanks for all the comments and advise! It feels more like a tendon issue than actual joint problem. Never real bad, just a nagging deal. Actually goes away when hiking. I have a feeling it's just due to something else in the chain being weak. I am on several vitamins including krill oil and glucosamine/chondroitin. I do walking lunges back and forth across the yard when shooting my bow. Just going to have to get after it more! Thanks again all!

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[smb5257]

Looking for some tips on dealing with knee issues and I figure there's no better place than visiting with you Western studs that can put the miles on in mountain country.

I'm only 35, 6-0, 175. Above average fitness. Carpenter. The last couple years elk hunting, I feel I'm in great shape, but after an 8-10 mile day, will randomly have a knee just go to hell. Done. Flared up. Usually better by the next morning though. Last year when it gave up, I was several miles and several thousand feet elevation change from camp. Brutal.

Swore I'd have stronger legs this year to avoid that, but with 2 months to go, and both knees feeling "tweaked" from time to time, I'm getting nervous! I hiked just over 8 miles yesterday through some pretty steep canyons with a 60 lbs pack, and felt good, but knees still don't feel strong. I'm determined to get a handle on this before September!
Any tips from fellow hunters who've no doubt dealt with something similar? Preferably something other than "suck it up, you're getting old!"

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I'm new to the backpack hunting but have lots of experience with knee issues (3 surgeries). I struggled for awhile keeping me knees pain free after all the surgeries and abuse but started taking glucosamine and chondroiton every single day. Works wonders. Every time I run out and fail to get some more for a few weeks, the pain comes right back. Any more my knees aren't really an issue.

 

[Beendare]

You want advice on knees from a 60 yr old big guy thats been humping the western mtn all his life, you got it;

Knees work best when they are conditioned with strong muscle groups around them. [duh, right!?] but we always seem to forget that on these hunts when we have to make a 8 miler loaded with elk meat.

Conditioning is the absolute key. Then there is the line between conditioning and damaging. I think a guy can go overboard with pack weight during conditioning- I did in the past and regret it. I think about 40# is a good training weight...

Down hilling is what wrecks knees...not the uphill. Using trek poles can help with that.

Listen to your body, we all have a tendency to push through "tired"...but when you feel strains or damage...its time to stop and listen.

 

[alexanderg23]

I had same issues.

What helps is.

Trekking Poles
Animal Flex joint support stack
Single leg dead lift with kettle bell (youtube)
Change in diet.
Foam roller IT band.
Stetching (stretching is the big one)

 

[MtnHunter]

Down hilling is what wrecks knees...not the uphill. Using trek poles can help with that.

For the downhills, I've noticed my knees feel much better if I try and control my descents with my glutes and hamstrings, lean back on my heels a bit, stand up straight, and widen my stance. When doing this, it takes almost as much muscle work to go downhill as uphill, but it keeps the pressure off the knees, and on the muscles, which is what I'm trying to strengthen during my training anyways. Also, what's worked for me has been to not necessarily move my thighs that much on the downhill, but instead maintain more of a position where my hamstrings/glutes are activated and the foundation, but where my lower leg movement is what covers the territory (different from uphill where the thighs are the major movement drivers).