[at-l] Cho-Pat and knee issues

[Teresa French]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jan Leitschuh" <janl2 at mindspring.com>
> I used the Cho-Pat. Both. The simple band under the knee that you can get 
> at WalMart gave me a little relief, maybe 30-40 percent. The Dual-Action 
> strap was the best - a black ugly thing, but I honestly don't think I 
> could have done my thruhikes without it.
> Apparently the use pressure to change the angle of insertion of some 
> important knee-tissue thingie, and help tired quads to keep the kneecap 
> tracking. But I might have just made that up - who can say after all these 
> years?

That's exactly what the website says it does, though, not in exactly those 
terms....

> When I put on the Dual-Action Cho-Pat, it feels like a hand cupping my 
> patella. I used them on the LT, and at the start of my AT hike, shipped 
> them up to Hanover with my winter gear as my legs became strong enough to 
> backpack on milder elevations of VA and the mid-Atlantic. I put them back 
> on just before the Whites and still had knee pain, but based on my past 
> experience I have no doubt they let me complete my hike.
>
I didn't have issues on my hike until the Whites.  Coincidence???  Actually, 
I think it was (is?) a repetitive motion/overuse type of thing, and the 
cumulative miles and steps took effect.

> Don't know about beezball. Are you the catcher?

I try.  :-)  No, actually an outfielder (Go figure... out in left field, as 
the saying goes.).  Last night I did significant running; more than usual, 
I'd say.  And after 2 month layoff.... well, I guess I got what I deserved. 
I think quality of shoes is an issue.  Softball shoes are not the most 
comfortable.  Maybe if I pay more than $20/pr....  (That means I need TWO 
new pair of shoes... hiking and softball!)

> so Cho-Pat may or may not help your aging condition, oops, I mean 
> condition.

Now now... the comments are getting to me.  Shoe, you and Dog shouldn't 
throw age stones at me.....

Thanks for the info Cho-Shoe!
:-)
YOUNG Wench