<i>I've got a well dodgy knee! And my dad has two dodgy knees!</i>
Several posters in the thread have mentioned this, my partner has severe arthritis, so here are a few tried and tested ideas.
Get good fitting boots that support the ankles and cushion impacts.
Check the fit of your ski poles, if they're too long or short, they won't do you much good, if only using one, check you're not twisting your back and knees and ankles or moving when your weight's not properly balanced.
Through winter and into this time of year the wind is still bitterly cold, it's important to keep your knees protected. Kneewarmers, invisible under trousers, are good; lambswool ones are very comfy, the neoprene supports can make your skin sweat and chafe a bit. Knees tend to protest if they're fairly static all week then expected to do loads of extra work on a weekend. Learn to pace yourself a bit, walk and rest when you first think you may need to rather than pushing yourself too hard. Warming up a bit before your walk helps as does a few stretches afterwards.
For anyone with joint problems, check out Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements.
Have a think about Tai Chi classes or Yoga for relaxation, both use all the joints in a very gentle way and improve suppleness when practised for just a few minutes daily.
If you're in severe pain and obviously have been medically checked over and are interested in drug free pain relief, consider buying a TENS machine, ours has 4 sticky pads that attach to the site of pain with thin wires to a small battery operated unit about the size of a pedometer that clips to your belt, which has different frequencies of operation. It works on the principle that the electrical stimulus in the pads stops the pain signals getting to the brain.
Different pain responds to different things. If yours responds to cold then put a teatowel over the joint and place a bag of frozen peas on it for 5 mins at a time. Never put ice on bare skin.
Alternate warm and cold treatments are good for sprains and strains, as is Arnica cream.
If your pain responds to heat, think about getting a wheatbag or gel pack that you can heat in the microwave and apply when you need it.
Warm relaxing baths are great, try adding 3 drops of marjoram and 2 drops of camomile OR 7 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Heat rubs are good, Olbas Oil is effective if a bit pongy, Lavender Essential Oil can be used neat on the skin and needs to be rubbed in briskly to give a very warming glow, no more than 4 drops per knee. In an emergency, a pinch of cayenne pepper mixed into 2 teaspoons of cooking oil then rubbed into the joint is an effective but messy way of getting some ease.
Warming food and drink is also good, spicy food, particularly ginger, pepper and cayenne are excellent. Ginger tea is easy to make, peel a piece of root ginger about the size of your top little finger joint, score it, put in a mug and top up with boiling water, sweeten with honey if necessary. It's also good for queasiness.
That's all the easy ones I can think of, hope it helps someone,
Rune
