cold weather knee problem- human

huskydamage

huskydamage

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I am struggling in this cold weather riding atm my knees are really stiff and have started going bright red and skin burning hot in the evening when I get home. I do have a dodgy knee that I injured years ago which is always a pain in the bum but the other one was ok up until now. I was looking at getting some knee warmers/supports or something that I can walk and ride in but all the ones I've seen online people are complaining that they slip down. Just wondering if anyone has a similar problem/ can recommend anything good or tips! thankyou
 
Poor you. I'm have very similar, and have been told it's mild arthritis in my knees and suspected it's lurking in other joints:(

I should ( but forget) apply same principles as I do with my older horse...keep joints warm, keep them moving and use an anti-inflammatory pain relief, avoid jarring ground and don't stand in too long!

I've found swimming helps, running hurts and I avoid long hacks in cold weather.

You can modify your diet to eat things that can help, but I like all the wrong thinks for me. I also need to loose weight as this will help and I've always been heavy on my legs anyway.

I find thermal tights under trousers help and I wear an old long warm coat for doing chores in the cold.

Spring will soon be here....please!
 
I have a similar problem I suffer with joint hyper-mobility syndrome as well as arthritis in my lower spine and the cold really does me no favors! Firstly I use neoprene type knee supports over my breeches (not a glamorous look) offers support and also helps to keep joints warmer, these are ones I have been provided by my physio and consultant but I would imagine they are all the same, they do not slip as I tend to wear sticky bum, full seat type breeches, keeps them in place nicely! I also use tiger balm, I am sure i got it in Sainsburys, tiny wee pot but works wonders for me. I also have to ride a little longer in stirrups during cold spells otherwise I struggle when I eventually get off after a cold crisp hack! Sprenger type stirrups have however helped me enormously when on board!
My physio recommended cycling, swimming and squats to help strengthen my muscles. Hope you find a solution, nothing worse than joint discomfort x
 
I sympathise, as I have Hypermobility Syndrome and arthritis in my knees ( and elsewhere ) so cold or damp weather are awful for me. I wear Musto snug jodhs and thermal leggings underneath if its freezing. I use the bendy type stirrups to help knees and ankles. I try to keep my quads strong with weights and cross trainer. Good Luck, and roll on some warmer weather!
 
Check out knee supports for skiers. I have a neoprene one I use for both sports and although it does slip down slightly that would be over a whole morning.
 
I also have joint hypermobility and my knees have been killing me over the last couple of weeks. I went to the drs about it this morning but as I have fibromyalgia the dr seemed to think it was just a flare up of that due to the cold weather.

I've been prescribed Codeine which yes helps greatly but also sends me a little loopy so I can't take it during the day if I need to drive / talk to people without dribbling...

So I'm open to tips for avoiding further knee pain!

Lakota_Lizzie do you find the knee supports help? Are they very bulky?
 
Also while we're on the subject, does anyone have any good recommendations for stirrups to help knee pain?
 
for the last 2 years I have had a lot of knee problems, constant pain and just about lived off ibuprofen. I dreaded Autumn but this year nothing. Zilch, which is amazing to me with all the wet weather. 2 painkillers since October and that was for toothache!

Things I have done differently are;_

vitamin E oil twice daily. I can feel if I forget to take it

I always wear a pair of overtrousers over my jeans every waking hour. I never found knee supports etc helped but overtrousers do. They don't keep the knees warm just more insulated and don't let them get cold. I have old ones for the yard and tidy ones for going out shopping etc. I got a large size so they are very loose, nothing tight over the knees. They are waterproof, I can ride in them as well. I am not sure that anything tight on the knee is a good thing for pain.

If I sit down to read, play on the computer etc I make sure I either lie on the bed with a duvet over my knees or sofa with a quilt. That has made so much difference.
 
Can I slightly go off topic here and ask what make / sort of overtrousers you use Paddy555? I want to get some that I can wear out and about as well!
 
Thanks all :) will definetly try some of these! My current pain killer of a port in the evening is probably not good long term :p
Paddy555- I recon you are right about the 'tightness' of the trousers. I am finding my usual skinny jeans very uncomfortable as well as jods pulling on the knee cap bit
I have some loose &bulky thermal trousers somewhere will dig those out and hopefully can wedge myself on board!
 
Sprat said:
I also have joint hypermobility and my knees have been killing me over the last couple of weeks. I went to the drs about it this morning but as I have fibromyalgia the dr seemed to think it was just a flare up of that due to the cold weather.

I've been prescribed Codeine which yes helps greatly but also sends me a little loopy so I can't take it during the day if I need to drive / talk to people without dribbling...

So I'm open to tips for avoiding further knee pain!

Lakota_Lizzie do you find the knee supports help? Are they very bulky?
Click to expand...

I found codeine great too, however being in a constant drunk like state was not productive... now take Tramadol, just the job!

I could not be without my supports. To the extent my physio thinks I rely too heavily on them? I have been having treatment (physio and surgery) for over 15 years now and I am most comfortable with my supports on. I wear one on my left knee day to day and both when I ride. Didn't put them on this morning and hurt myself crawling under eleccy fencing! I do not wear them all day long obviously. Just when I'm doing the horses or walking dogs etc... Yes they can be bulky, they get a bit sweaty and not the prettiest to look at but I am too long in the tooth now to care!

I guess it is worth trying various things and see what works for you, I like the feeling of support whereas it looks like others prefer to keep joints warm with loose clothing.

With regards to stirrups, I have a pair of Sprenger ones, they do the job just fine but are no better than the £20 ones i got from eBay with the black bendy rubber bits on the sides. I take my feet out of the stirrups about 1/2 mile from home to let my knees stretch before dismounting, really helped.
 
Dogandbone said:
Can I slightly go off topic here and ask what make / sort of overtrousers you use Paddy555? I want to get some that I can wear out and about as well!
Click to expand...


http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/regatta-chandler-ii-overtrousers-navy

Huskydamage,
no problem with the port. Now that is a REALLY good idea!!

only found out about the tight knees by accident. Lent OH some really expensive riding over trousers. His knees should have been toasty. They were too tight for him and he said it made his knees really cold and painful.
 
As far as knee supports that don't slip down are concerned, I've found that Professional's Choice make very good ones - all neoprene with velcro fastenings (open at back of knee and over the patella; so the joint stays warm but no sweaty-back-of-knee in summer) and flexible shims/stays down the sides (which are a godsend for me in rising trot).

Admittedly they aren't cheap (I only have a single one, because my left knee is fairly okay, and I think I paid about £60 for it), but I can't actually ride astride without it, and given I can't put my side-saddle on everything I ever get on, it was worth every penny: it stays in place all day; I can wear it with long boots if I need to; and it's not too bulky between my knee and the saddle.
 
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