Knee Problems - Chondromalacia Patella

imported
#1

Hi… I was recently diagnosed with Chondromalacia Patella. This is a condition where the knee cap does not slide properly and causes irritation of the cartilage under the knee cap. It first occurred during a high milage 2 day outing on the AT. I have been planning a PCT thru hike for next season for over a year and now I’m unsure if this condition will keep me from finishing. Just wondering if anyone has the same condition and has completed the hike or if there is a knee brace that helps. Should I abandon my PCT dream? Thanks

MW

MW

#2

I’ve seen plenty of people successfully hike with knee issues. I guess it would depend on the severity and your personal walking gait and style but it’s not impossible. Stay flexible with your hiking plan and definitely try out one of those spandex knee braces, but I wouldn’t give up on the dream just yet!

Joker

#3

My knees are also starting to give me some problems, but I still hiked all of Oregon this summer. Some tricks that work for me are:

  1. Pack base weight 12 pounds max, plus food and water
  2. 20 miles a day max and hike slow and steady
  3. Always use hiking poles
  4. Pre-hike training, Stairmaster and Eliptical 30 minutes each for at least 30 days before you start your hike.
  5. A zero or nearo day once a week.
  6. Vitamin I (Ibuprofin) as req’d.

Check out Craig’s PCT planner on line. Plug in 15 miles a day with a zero each week and see if you think you could do it.

bowlegs

#4

Hiking does not bother my knees but I do a lot of distance running and when I up the miles sometimes I get a condition called runner’s knee which, as I understand it, is caused by the muscle on one side of the knee becomes stronger than the other causing the knee cap to not track properly. Not sure if it is the same. There is something called a patella strap that helps make the knee track better. This really helps lots of folks. What I found really helps is a set of exercises that strengthen the knee muscles on both sides and helps the knee track properly. A few weeks doing the exercises and I was pain free. If you are interested in trying them email me and I will describe them.

Steady On

#5

Did the CDT over the past three summers with creaky, old knees and a pack weight of about 30 pounds including food and water. I use a trekking pole religiously and take a drug called Lodine (generic name is Etodolac). It works a bit like ibuprofen but much, much better.

bearcreek

#6

I also use those strecthy knee braces you can get at Wal-Mart. Brand name is Futuro. I’m not sure how much they help but they do remind me that I’m not 20-something and take it easy.

bowlegs

#7

You really need to check out prolotherapy. Google “prolotharapy” and “Chondromalacia Patella.” I had great success with it for a back injury. Forget about the drugs, they just cover up the problem. Email me if you have any other questions about it.

Soup Sandwich

#8

Oops. That’s “prolotherapy.” I had it right the first time.

Soup Sandwich

#9

Sorry, but I have to suggest you watch the following prolotherapy video.

As you can see I am a big proponent of prolothaerapy. And this doctor rocks, based on my own personal experience. I also found results will vary from prolotherapist to prolotherapist.

Soup Sandwich

#10

Maybe you could eat yogurt with cilantro on it. Quack! Quack! Quack!

duck

#11

I was diagnosed with this over 30 years ago. At the time, custom made orthotics allowed me to continue running…for a while. In 2002 I thru-hiked the A.T. relying on Superfeet and Chopat’s Dual Action Knee Strap and their Knee Strap that goes under the knee (as mentioned above). No need to abandon your hiking dream. Good luck.

mg

#12

thank you Soup Sandwich for that link. Very informative. :cheers

two isles