[pct-l] Knee problems
The Incredible Bulk
taterno at cox.net
Thu Oct 30 10:25:09 CDT 2008
I should give credit where credit is due.
I volunteer for endurance runs on the PCT in section A. This past April, I think, my good friend Dr. Don and I were providing amateur radio comms support for the 50 mile PCT run, and we were stationed at a site called Dale's Kitchen, where the PCT crosses Thing Valley Rd. When Dr. Don saw me for the first time in 6 months, he chastized me for my weight gain. He suggested that I buy and listen to a self hypnosis tape from Glenn Harrold, Lose Weight Now, the 2004 version. I listed to this tape for 1 month while going to sleep. I have since swore off junk food and desserts, eat normal quantities of food, and "love to take exercise" (Glenn is a Brit). The only issue I have with the tape is when he tells me that I picture myself looking in a mirror, and I am so pleased how I look in my new outfit. Arrggh! I don't wear outfits! But the tape worked for me, and I thank Dr Don to this day for saving my life.
Thank you, Don.
Tom
---- The Incredible Bulk <taterno at cox.net> wrote:
=============
I had a similar knee problem.
In 2005, went to lunch room, with a little left knee pain. Thirty minutes later, I could not get up to walk back to my desk. MRI said torn meniscus. Had arthroscopic (sp) surgery. Dr said I also had some arthritis. I have since healed and do not need to hike with a brace, and I have no pain when hiking with a 35 lb pack for a 15 mile day in the Sierra.
I suppose I should be thankful, and I truly am thankful. Now, I was also 140 lbs overweight. Which I am sure contributed to the problem. That and hitting golf balls 1 day before the knee gave me trouble in the lunch room. I hadn't hit golf balls in 10 years. The twisting motion plus the weight is probably what tore the meniscus.
I have since lost 60+ lbs in 6 months, and have 50 more to go. Oh, and since backpacking is so important to me, I gave up hitting golf balls. I can do hikes now I could not have even imagined of doing at the beginning of this year. Being a realist, I know I can't get back to my fitness of 30+ years ago, when I was doing 5' 20" miles. But I know I can approach this level of fitness. Can't wait to see what happens after I loose the next 50 lbs. Can I say t h r u h i k e !!! You bet I can!
Tom
The Incredible (shrinking) Bulk
---- Marion Davison <mardav at charter.net> wrote:
=============
I had similar issues this year. On my first trail work weekend I was in
a full kneeling position for a long time (feet back, legs bent, butt
resting on feet). When I tried to get up and move I didn't push off
with my hands, and I got a horrendous stabbing pain in one knee. I had
to limp on it, 18 miles, to where my car was parked. I rested it for a
few weeks, went hiking again, found it painful to walk uphill or
downhill. But oh well, fiddle dee dee, it will get better tomorrow. I
got a Cho-Pat knee brace and kept on hiking. I did a few more weekend
hikes, starting out okay, limping and cursing by the end. In June a
hike made my knee swell up hugely so I finally went to the doctor. An
MRI showed a slightly torn meniscus, an attenuated (thinning) ACL, and a
lot of arthritis under the patella. They told me that I am too old for
surgery (at 52) and the doctor prescribed a custom ACL brace that cost
over $2000. I finally got the brace in July and did a 50 mile week-long
Sierra trip with no issues. I wear it to hike, walk or work out at the
gym. Chiropractic therapy got the swelling down and strengthening
exercises got my knee to "track" better.
But I have to wear the brace for any exercise, permanently. If I don't,
I will have pain and the ACL will probably rupture somewhere in the
backcountry.
Now my insurance company is refusing to pay for the brace so I am stuck
with the bill.
Aging and modern medicine. Oh well. At least I can hike again, pain free.
Marion
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