View Full Version : Hiking with knee injuries?
Transient Being
01-17-2011, 21:31
I have always loved backpacking, and have wanted to introduce my wife who is a little uncertain if she would enjoy it or not. I really want her to go with me one trip, but just hasn't happened yet. Recently, she got in a bad car accident and injured her knees pretty badly. Her left knee is not too bad, but her right knee cap got broken into three pieces and her tibia had a break where it meets the knee joint. She had surgery to both of her knees and is in a leg brace right now. I know it will be hard to tell for a few months how well she recovers, but was wondering if anybody else has suffered these kinds of injuries and has still been able to hike? Hopefully she will have a good recovery, but just wanted to hear from the WB community. Thanks.
skinewmexico
01-17-2011, 23:32
Lady across the street from me got bucked off her horse and had similar injuries. Took a pretty long time and a lot of rehab, but she doesn't limp and seems OK now. Rehab, rehab, rehab.
Give her time and encourage physical therapy. One of my best friends broke her ankle so badly she needed rods and screw and has had knee surgery too. I can't keep up with her.
Trailryder42
01-18-2011, 02:13
This is a timely post.
I injured my right knee in a dirtbike accident over a year ago. Initial Dr. visit said it was stable. But I know it's not. I have to pay close attention to how I put my weight on it and not turn or twist it funny or it will dislocate and take me down.
I've just been dealing with it. Now that I've decided to attempt the AT I'm thinking I should see about finally having something done about it. It's probably just a bad tendon or two and won't take a long time to heal and rehab.
The Weasel
01-18-2011, 04:31
She should see a very - VERY - good sports orthopedist once her recovery is finished, and have significant testing done to the joints before hitting the trail. The AT, unlike some trails, has massive amounts of terribly pounding down-hills, which can damage a joint or lead to early arthritis; uphills, with stress on joint structures (ligaments, tendons, etc) also can be really nasty. Her principal orthopod is going to be focused on healing; specialists (make sure they are board certified) in sports medicine and orthopedics can answer the question for her. They won't be as "conservative" ("Don't do it!") as a regular orth, but they know what they are doing.
TW