yet another knee question!

you lot must think I'm obsessed with my knees and skiing :mrgreen:

with the sub zero temperatures over the last few days I've discovered that the cold really makes my knees hurt (post-op one particularly). The up side to this is that I've discovered it before my trip so can't blame it on the skiing :thumbup:

for my mcl knee I've got a bracesox lycra undergarment and a hinged donjoy brace. on my acl knee I've got a neoprene support, another lycra undergarment and then a couple of sports bandages for good luck. I'll also get my hands on some some foam (a la trencher). Just call me michelin woman!

so, my question is, would it do me any harm to put some hand warmers in between the layers somewhere under the kneecap? They get very hot and I wondered if anyone knows if this would do any harm? or shall I stick with what I've already got?

thanks
Caron

If its to keep your muscles warm Caron, Would`nt some muscle rub stuff be better.


AJ Adele

Tiger Balm....

Grrrr! Good stuff.

caron-a wrote:y
so, my question is, would it do me any harm to put some hand warmers in between the layers somewhere under the kneecap? They get very hot and I wondered if anyone knows if this would do any harm? or shall I stick with what I've already got?

It's actually hard to say, I'd always thought a heat source like a hot water bottle was a good thing but I've since discovered that there's no hard and fast rule, if there's any sort of inflammation what you need is ice and applying heat can do harm. Same with some of the off the shelf supports, they can restrict movement of a joint or increase resistance on movement which can make a problem worse.

I've broken a lot of bones over the years and had some other injuries and I can't say that cold makes any difference, damp weather certainly seems to but not cold. Being fit helps though :lol: As does exercise, I reckon the endorphins work better than anything else you can do :lol:

Caron,

I guess a big issue for you just now, is that you really don't know how it's all going to happen for you. So you may have some angst, at least until you get going, and you re-discover that smooth ski glide! Then you can go skiing with your OH and Grace!

I seem to recall you have several years experience. You might find that playing on the nursury will not be enough. There are two fairly easy T bar runs at the top, (not beginners, next stage up), both in the sun all day, with a Joch alm between them. Vodkas verboten during the day!

You might have a play at the top, enjoy the views, get your confidence levels up, come down on the Gondola.... Then vodka is permitted. :shock:

My OH spent most of last week, on these two runs, in the warm sunshine alternating a couple of runs with a hot chocolate, (she told me...) If it's good for broken legs....

No harm with carrying a couple of heat pads.

Hey, it's going to be great!

caron-a wrote:you lot must think I'm obsessed with my knees and skiing :mrgreen:

with the sub zero temperatures over the last few days I've discovered that the cold really makes my knees hurt (post-op one particularly). The up side to this is that I've discovered it before my trip so can't blame it on the skiing :thumbup:

for my mcl knee I've got a bracesox lycra undergarment and a hinged donjoy brace. on my acl knee I've got a neoprene support, another lycra undergarment and then a couple of sports bandages for good luck. I'll also get my hands on some some foam (a la trencher). Just call me michelin woman!

:shock: Can you even move in all that stuff? Kudos on the brace though :-) My health insurance company hates them. Although I love em'
I'd suggest anti inflammatories and of course the all powerful Tiger!! At least your leg will have the o`dor of a canned Christmas ham.

thank you everyone

I've been taught by my consultant and physio that heat is for soothing and cold is for after exertion as ise says. where does the tiger balm and/or muscle rub come in? while off or on the slopes? the pain is not muscle pain, it's the original injuries / operation. saying that, I think they're getting used to the cold as they aren't hurting so much (aside from my physio session this evening, ouch!). as for anti inflammatories, ibuprofen?

Dave, I think you're right that it's mostly uncertainty. My feelings jump between excitement and apprehension. If I can make it onto those sunny slopes it'd be a bonus but it's early days and I'm not going to push myself too hard. I'm sure the husband will enjoy them, mostly with Grace but not always! My plan is, bar delays, to give the nursery slopes a go on the monday afternoon and see how it goes...