[Philmont] KNEE PAIN (am seeking non medical self-help advice)

>> The trekking poles were all worth their weight in gold. <<
 
My sentiments exactly. I have torn meniscus and snapped ACLs in both
knees, with arthritis creeping in. Here's a link to a helpful page on
how to use them:
 
http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm
 
I personally subscribe to the technique where the right pole lands just
a fraction before the right foot, and left pole before the left foot.
It's awkward at first but after a little practice it becomes second
nature. Do practice. It's important to develop your technique before
arriving at Philmont. You'll know if you are doing it right if your
arms and shoulders tend to get sore or tired more than usual. This is a
sign that you transferring the force of the impact to your upper body.
So you may also want to add upper body conditioning to your conditioning
routine.
 
BTW, the poles are also very helpful providing balance and support on
downhill slopes. With no ACL support, this is actually the most
important part for my stride. But there were two times on Tooth Ridge
where I would have taken a "face plant," as one of our crew members
called it, had I not had the pole in front to "catch" my fall.
 
Lastly, I also recommend glucosamine chondroitin. I was a skeptic at
first. Than during the holiday season several years back, I ran out and
didn't get to refilling it. After a few weeks I began to notice the
pain in my knees increasing again. I put 2 & 2 together and have not
stopped taken it since. I use the Walgreen's brand here in the Midwest.
A little less expensive and I find it works just fine for me.
YIS

Willie Vannerson
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 149, McHenry, IL
www.troop149mchenry.org <http://www.troop149mchenry.org/>

 P.S. I also took Cavalcade last summer and your knees do get very sore
form the odd angle in the saddle. But I found it to be a different
source of pain and not related to the pain or discomfort I experience
backpacking. Your vitamin M should handle that along with your
conditioning.
 
P.P.S. Bring your trek poles to Cavalcade. The wrangler will
accommodate you and lash them to the pack horse. So don't worry about
trying to fit them in your stuff sack. You'll still want them to hike
to the staff cabins and program areas, as well as any side hikes. Our
trek allowed for a hike up Baldy where the poles are needed. Remember,
there's virtually no flat land at Philmont. It's all either uphill or
downhill.
 
 

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Received on Sat Jul 26 09:16:50 2008