well....Spit!

the big Mao

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
150
Location
leavenworth WA
Looks like I'm out of it--no more hunting for me for at least one season (Spring turkey). At 68, I need a new left knee. So "Verbum Sapienti"--a "word to the wise" for all of you who regularly run for cardio: you might think twice about this. I now have total bone-on-bone contact, with zero cartilage left. The damn knee balloons up with every change in the weather, feels like it's going to collapse (especially on the downhills), and I can't bend it more than 90 degrees no matter what. So I get to decide what I'm willing to give up for a season, like skiing (I've been on Alpine boards since I was 18 months old, and went into Nordic racing in my late 20's, winding up at Sarajevo in `84 as a Biathlete), or golf, or fishing, or something else! Kinda makes me think I should get a big motorhome, and go "camping", with a wide-screen TV on hydraulics that'll slide out so I can sit on my ass and watch "Days of Our Lives" at the KOA.

So, think twice about serious running! I did 15miles/day pretty much every day that wasn't raining, not counting soccer. Probably not a wise decision!
 

rayporter

WKR
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
4,442
Location
arkansas or ohio
scares me! i got just a couple of months till i join ya age wise- and my knees are getting poor too.

as a kid i had a big ol cast on my leg from a horse falling on me but i still grabbed a rifle and went hunting. i would get the cast a swinging and throw it over a horse and head out for squirrels.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,257
Location
Colorado Springs
IMO running is for the birds. The only running I do all year is when I'm chasing down elk during archery season. Hate pounding pavement. But at 51 my left knee was swelling this year on the mountain, but I didn't let it slow me down too much. For me it was probably the 25 years of serious basketball. Downhill jaunts really blow.

Good luck with the new knee.
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
6,389
This is why i ride a bike and hike with a pack on. Knees are kinda essential to hunting. Get well soon buddy.
 

Bar

Banned
Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
1,623
Location
Colorado
Injuries really suck. I need a hip replacement and I have a cartilage tear in one knee. I look for areas that aren't too steep now as much as I do for elk. I found one this year and i'm hoping other hunters don't find it too.

Good luck with your knee.
 

warrior80

WKR
Joined
Jun 24, 2014
Messages
315
Location
Layton, UT
You should look into artificial meniscus. I know someone that just got one put in as part of a study they're doing. He was the first person in the western U.S. to get one. I'm not sure what the qualifications are for getting one, but it might be worth checking out. The same Dr. that did my acl reconstruction and meniscus repair did this guy's artificial meniscus. So far so good. I think he got it done about 4-5 months ago. He was getting around pretty good after just a couple weeks. Before his knee would swell and get really sore even from hiking with a backpack on because he had no meniscus left either.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 

Bar

Banned
Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
1,623
Location
Colorado
I wrap my knee really tight. So tight I can barely bend it. It seems to help quite a bit. Every couple of hours I have to release it and get the swelling in my calf down. I guess i'm cutting off the circulation, but at least I can hunt. I refuse to get it operated on.
 

Ross

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
4,868
Location
Kun Lunn, Iceland
Yep injuries suck and combine with age and double suck! I tell young guys to take it easy on your knees all the time👍 Because without knees tough to hammer it....but we have to do what we do to enjoy our huntin👊 Keep us apprised And good luck on the replacement.
 

Dromsky

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
185
Location
Central Ca
I feel your pain literally, MRI scheduled for Monday , most likely torn meniscus. Cortisone shot on Tuesday and leaving for CO on the 19th, fingers crossed.
 
Joined
Jun 11, 2013
Messages
1,212
Location
se ga
as one of my old timer railroad buddies once said, if you see me running you better run too cause there will be something after me.
 

dotman

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
8,200
My hunting buddy had to get his knee operated on 2 weeks after our early hunt and couldn't make the late hunt. He is an avid mountain runner and I forget what he tore but he has now torn it and had it operated on in both knees.

I'm anti running, I may not get up the mountain as fast as some but I get up the mountain and have zero knee issues. I also don't train with an 80lb pack, 30lbs works just fine.
 
OP
T

the big Mao

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
150
Location
leavenworth WA
Thanks everybody! I figure I'll have it replaced in early March; that way I can still make the archery deer and elk seasons next year, and be able to ski this season. We have season passes at our two local areas already. I've not heard of an artificial meniscus though!!

And for all of you who are heading out for the hunt--Good Hunting! Thanks for the encouragement too! We leave today to put up deer camp, and I've got the knee wrapped up tight with plenty of Tylenol on hand (as well as a big bottle of scotch!:eek:) Will keep you all posted!
 

AdamRappe

FNG
Joined
Sep 2, 2016
Messages
77
Location
Oregon
I am not even half your age and have already had surgery on both knees for torn meniscus.

Good luck and take care of yourself!
 

Wileycoyote

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
222
Location
S.E> Idaho
Well for 68 it's sounds like you got a lot out of them with that much activity all the time. I believe use it or lose it, that being said I found myself using copper fit knee braces and the horse wrap bandage to get through the season this year. Shed hunting, hunting, scouting and carrying heavy loads are taking there toll. Father Time catches up to us all unfortunately.
Good luck on the repair and hopefully you will be roaming the hills again soon!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top