[pct-l] Knees

[David J. Grayson]

      I'm a 56yo physician about to thru-hike the PCT in 2012.  I've 
had relatively minor hiking knee issues over the years and my CHOPAT 
KNEE STRAPS keep me pain free.  If you have severe acute knee pains 
that come on rapidly and then surprizingly settle down just as quickly 
- then you could have "patelofemoral" dysfunction due to rubbing the 
underside of your knee cap on the end of your femur. Patelofemoral 
problems are especially bothersome with descent/ascent hiking.  I 
believe that anyone who doesn't have SWELLING or INSTABILITY, which may 
indicate an internal "intra-articular" derangement, would benefit from 
use of these durable, simple Chopat knee straps. I got mine online for 
<$20. 
       It's also important to pay attention to your gait, as most of us 
are pronators. Most of us pronators don't have problems with limited 
walking activities on level surfaces. However, if you put 30lbs on your 
back and start daylong ascents and decents then problems rapidly 
develope.    Irregular trail surfaces that evert our feet really tears 
at our knees. So, attention to your gait to avoid extended eversion 
(opposite of inversion) of your ankles can reduce strain on your knees. 
  Of course, lightening your load (get a donkey) and good footwear are 
critical.  I swear by Superfeet Green inserts.  At my age, my feet need 
more supported and structured footwear than trail runners.  I have 
found Patagonia AC Drifter goretex hiking shoes in a full size larger 
than my dress shoes to be the ticket for me. 
     That's my knee/foot treatise -
David Grayson, MD
>
> On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 7:03 AM, jamie szewczyk 
> <jamieszew723 at gmail.com>wrote:
> Hi everyone!
> > I've been gone from posting as I hiked 1000 miles of the PCT this year
> > 2011.  We got off in Yosemite.  My bf fell in a manhole and both of my
> > knees were shot from going up and down mountains.  I have never had a
> > problem with my knees my whole life prior to this.  Issues began descending
> > Mount Whitney.  About 30 feet after beginning my descent from the peak, one
> > of my knees was in excruciating pain and I had to use my other leg more. 
> > Therefore by the next mountain, my other knee was hurting as well.  I still
> > have the pain when I descend stairs, but just slightly. 
> > Would you guys have any recommendations for someone with bad knees without
> > health insurance who wants to hike about 1,600 miles in 2012?