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New knees pleese

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Woohoo first post Skullie

hi all been peeking in for ages, anyways first post i have dedicated to my knees.

Is anyone able to offer any advice with regards to and about knees Very Happy I`m afraid mine aren`t upto what they should be I can get about 2 days skiing before I have terrible pain and an inability to walk let alone ski. The only thing that`ll get me through a week is Ibuprofen and paracetemol codines taken 4 hourly intervals but spaced out by 2 hours for a more complete pain coverage all washed down by esspresso`s. End of the day is the old R.I.C.E technique. (rest, ice, compress and elevate)

Now im a fairly aggressive 30 something Embarassed skier. Advanced all round ability i have been skiing for about 10 years, at first i just accepted it and didnt push too much with the pain. Until I gotta ski DVD of the Hit List and the same year went skiing with a physio who showed me a few techniques which helped alleviate my symptoms and told me I may even be pain free one day. Needless to say that was it and I was off...
Excercises I have allready started the gym regime for this coming season (its been like this for the last 3-4 years), workling on quads, hamstrings, gluts and calves with some allround cardio vascular work (get fit to ski Toofy Grin ) I also do alot of mountain biking. I try for about 2x 15- 30 km treks a week.
I have a set of bespoke orthotics for my footwear. BUT even still the knee joints persist in being a REAL weak spot for me and by the end of the week i`m skiing like i`m 60. Some might say don`t ski soo much Shocked i think i`d rather cut my bloody legs off!!

What i`m looking for some craik on is. Knee orthotics, any one have any recommendations, advice on these. I`ve tried various cheapy models...no use Sad
if anyone could recommend a decend sports physio/ clinic who produces these bespoke I would love to getta clink (clicky linky) to look at their webpages.
And finally really just anything that may improve general overall skiing is appreciated.

Oh I`ve also had a lateral release on one of my knees (knee re-alignment) 2 and a half years ago. It appears to have made it worse.

ta
andy
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
welcome to snowheads Very Happy

Can't help but I really hope you get it sorted. I gave up netball a year ago to ensue it didn't take it's toll on my knees, skiing is more important !
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
So what's wrong with skiing like you're 60 Toofy Grin

Careful young whippersnapper - and welcome to snowHead 's Laughing
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Gloucosamine is working for me along with neoprene knee strapping, along with approx 100 miles a week on my bike. I also tend to ski in the morning and board in the afternoon which does not do my knees any good!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
kill_reign, Welcome to snowHead 's. Frosty The Snowman has tried (and bought) the ski-mojo and speaks favourably of it. worth a try maybe?

http://www.skiallday.co.uk/sm/
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Axsman, Shocked those are Ninja-esque!
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Fogliettaz, why doesn't it do your knees any good to ski in the morning and board in the afternoon? I would have thought a change of stance/stress/emphasis could be quite a good thing.

kill_reign, welcome to Snowheads. I sympathize - knees not great, but being 62 I'm not too bothered about skiing like I'm 60. In fact on a good day I can look quite cool from behind. wink

Maybe your technique is a bit too aggressive - aggression can sometimes take the place of technique. Do you find the kind of terrain/surface makes a difference?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
kill_reign, I vill say zis only once - MOJO.
Greetings from Co Donegal.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
pam w, Last Easter I was skiing in the morning when icy, and after lunch snowboarded when softer, my knees took a terrible hammering. I took until May to recover and doing some research discovered glucosamine. I am normally a sceptic in such matters but have been taking a couple of tablets a day and my joints are feeling a lot better. I have noticed that if I either ski or snowboard my knees do not hurt as much. I also do a lot of sailing in the summer and have taken to wearing knee pads when crawling around the foredeck and cockpit.
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Fogliettaz, yes, I take glucosamine too; not really sure whether it helps, but worth a go. You should definitely avoid crawling round on a boat without kneepads - I think dinghy sailors are second only to mogul skiers in hammering their knees! I know several quite keen and good (national standard) dinghy sailors who have had to give up competitive sailing because of knee problems. They weren't young, though. wink

My knees were noticeably worse last season - getting hot and swollen without much provocation. I am going to try some of these next season:

http://www.ossurwebshop.co.uk/knee-supports/bioskina-standard-knee-without-straps/prod_68.html

I would have thought skiing on icy slopes was a lot worse for your knees than snowboarding on soft ones.
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I'm no expert, but seems a bit strange you can cycle/ trek miles without problems but a week's skiing hurts - could it worth checking out your boots/ footbeds/biomechanics stuff with someone like CEM http://www.solutions4feet.co.uk/?

If you're anywhere near south london: ski friendly knee surgeons / sports physios - http://www.wimbledonclinics.co.uk/wim2bkn01.php
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
kill_reign, welcome to snowheads... i too am a big fan of glucosamine.. take it for three months and you will notice a difference i would wager... cant hurt.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
kill_reign, apart from the obvious, go see a doctor; you might want to have a hard look at your technique. Ask someone (a GOOD instructor) to check if your "A framing" which could put unnecessary stress on your knees, also get them to help you find a smoother style which need not be slower than your current "aggressive" skiing.
I would take it easy on the drugs, long term you might be masking damage that wont go away.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I am still quite young at 53, I normally race offshore on yachts rather than dinghys although my son has promised to take me out on his 29er, after all I am the sponsor! awol, I might try footbeds for my ski boots next season although they seem very comfy as they are and my snowboard boots are like carpet slippers!
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Has anyone actually diagnosed the problem with your knees? The knee is rather a complicated joint and a number of factors may be the cause of your problems. The only sure way to find out is to see a Knee specialist. There are a number of sports injury clinics which is a good place to start. Unfortunately these cost money as most are private but could be money very well spent if they are able to diagnose the actual problem.

Good luck.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
kill_reign, Welcome to snowHead

You'll get a lot of advice from people round here wink I agree with GreyCat, in that you should first of all have your knees diagnosed. Knee guru is helpful too.

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/

Good luck with it all - & let us know how it goes please.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Well thanks all you snowHead for the welcome.


Right now I am mostly eating THESE. Glucosamine, marine chondroitin, bromelain and omega 3. I`ve been on them about a month or so and not really noticed any improvement, hopefully this will change though.

As for my condition the more I look the more my junior doctor 101 skills point towards an adult form of osgood schlatters disease, along with a bit of knee mis-alignment as diagnosed by the knee specialist 2 years ago. Thats when I have the knee re-alignment...it hasn`t helped. Also I got the crunchiest knees you`ve ever met (not that you would meet knees but anyways) so all the wear and tear doesn`t help with the skiing. Really the best thing I have done so far is exercise.

I did look at the ski mojo but it appears to aid with energy transfer rather than support the knees?? Also looking at it it appears rather intrusive, how would you say it holds upto touring with it on and skiing the fall line in an off-piste kind of environment?
From what i`ve been reading theres a wee thing called the cho pat which specifically supports the knee (and is only 20 quid;) any one ever tried anything like THIS? and i`ll work my way upto something liek the ski mojo methinks Very Happy



**hurries off to check out the SKI GURU
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Had a hyperextension fall walking backwards carrying kids skis down snowy hill this year, not even skiing! Diagnosed with a bone bruising on MRI- told to do no impact 3 months,
Also always had problem knees . Started taking Arthro choice , a glucosamine and condroitin supplement,
It took 2 months before I noticed a difference, and had to do the full 3x/day dose- but now I am really feeling a difference even though I started running again.
Just read the pamphlet, and it actually advises that it can be several weeks before the benefits will be noticed, so just keep at it a while longer before you give up.
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thats promising thanks for that matey.
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Perhaps you need to introduce skiing slowly through the year before the actual trip. This will help build the exact muscles that are needed and let your knees get accustomed to it before the intense week of skiing in winter. OR perhaps this could totally balls up your knees altogether!

The theory is that if you are a footballer there is no substitute for playing football. You can do all the weights and running you want you still need to play to strengthen the exact muscles.
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Have you tried drinking less/making sure you're better hydrated. When I get dehydrated i find my knees tend to hurt when skiing. This is common when on a weeks skiing holiday as a result of not hydrating enough during the day when out on the slopes & the obvious holiday drinks most evenings. I make sure i have my camelbak with me when skiing to make sure i stay hydrated. I also make sure i drink a load of water (1 pint min) before going to bed every night. With your pre-season training programme, staying well hydrated & glucosamine should certainly go a long way towards helping what's paining you.
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frank4short, never considered the hydration aspect, i mean i do try to drink enough water throught the day but not as a direct link to my knees. i`ll keep it in mind. Staying away from the beer apres ski followed by a wee bit wine and a couple of cheeky pastis isn`t going to be so easy though Smile


Gainz, I live near hillend so manage a bit of all year skiing NehNeh (dry ski slope at edinburgh) largest in europe) well maybes still the largest?) you just gotta keep an eye out for a decent dump of rain before you head. Then during the season I tend to try and get about 10-20 days in the highlands skiing.


genepi, I had a poke about on that forum/ site you recommended and I`ve been a bit apprehensive to go back to the docs, but i think i may go and see him about it all. Talk over whats going on as the ops been over 2 years and still no joy, trouble is it`s both knees and I know he`s gonna want to get in and get a lateral release on the other knee Confused well whatever`s happening they ain`t opening me up now till after this season Twisted Evil
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Take up snowboarding, it's much easier on the knees. Toofy Grin
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kill_reign, It sounds as though you need to go to see a specialist sports ortho doc. Regular ones will tend to tell you to stop doing things like skiing. Twisted Evil Obviously I can't say what your problem is or what the cure is, but are you sure you're standing well balanced on your skis? Most recreational skiers tend to stand too much on their heels and thus put lots of pressure on the knee joint. This might not be you, but if you're 'stacking' correctly you shouldn't feel any knee pressure.
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Quote:

but if you're 'stacking' correctly you shouldn't feel any knee pressure.

I generally don't feel "knee pressure" when I'm actually skiing (unless doing those "skiing aft" exercises), and I have no problem at all with quads - I can ski all day without ever getting a slight twinge around the quads - I ski quite a lot and my legs are strong enough for what I do, given that I only do rather genteel sort of skiing, on pretty ordinary terrain. My knee problem which started last year is rather different and suggests that although all the muscles in my legs are up to it (and I do work on those for some time before going skiing) my knees themselves are a very weak link. After a couple of hours of energetic skiing, especially if the surface is rather hard (which jars the knees, I suppose), my knees begin to feel quite "tired" - just the knees themselves, not muscles. That's bit of a warning sign to stop for the day, or at least take it very easy. If I don't, the knees end up feeling sore, and are red, warm and puffy - without any of the muscle ache you'd expect from being improperly stacked.
Warm enough to feel the heat through salopettes!

I have reluctantly concluded that it's age-related arthritis and I just need to take it a bit easy, and will try those "skins" things which are supposed to reduce swelling. I've had proper knee injuries in the past - and this is different. Comes on very slowly, and goes completely with a day or so off, and loads of ibuprofen.

But it sounds as though the OP is a lot younger than me, so let's hope he can sort something out.

Sorry - re-reading it, the point of this post is not too clear. My point was I think it's possible for knees to play up even if you are "properly stacked". At least, properly stacked most of the time, eh? wink
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It's less a case of staying away from the drink. You're on holiday. I know i drink like a fish when on holidays. Difference being like i said i try to make sure i'm constantly hydrated. This means drinking as much as i can throughout the day by carrying a camelbak with me & constantly drinking on the up lifts. Also making sure i drink atleast a pint or two of water or cordial throughout the evening & one before going to bed. Takes a fair bit of discipline but i know for me it certainly makes the difference. As when i don't pay too much heed to it, i definitely suffer particularly through constant knee pain.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
pam w, Of course, but the OP mentions agressive skiing etc. so it was a thought which hadn't already been mentioned. Don't sell yourself short - youre not that genteel!! Laughing Laughing
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
kill_reign, I'd support the see a biomechanichs / sports medicine specialist advice. It soumds as though you have malalignment and possibly Osteochondritis Dissicans (rather than Osgood Schlatters). The sooner you get your accurate diagnosis the better. A 1 stop clinic with scan and opinions might be £500 well invested for your future as a skier.
Welcome to snowHead by the way
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You know it makes sense.
pam w, i know what you`re on about even if you dont Very Happy i`m a thinking about a set of the skins too.

Mountain Haddock, yes I rapidly think this is becoming the main goal right now, surely I can do something with these damn knees of mine?

Would anyone be able to advise on any good ski physios in the Cental Scotland area? If not anywhere in Britain, I`m resolute and need a solution!! (blagging a holibag to London on the back of it would keep the mrs sweet too:)
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:

i drink like a fish when on holidays.

frank4short, you haven't actually mentioned, but I suppose it is water you have in the camelbak? wink
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:

i drink like a fish when on holidays


Me too
wink
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
kill_reign, Contact the Universities to see if they have suitable docs - they may have if they have a big sports/sports science/sports medicine programme.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
easiski, Or Snowsport Scotland and Snowsport GB, they are both based in Edinburgh.
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kill_reign, the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh has a faculty of sports medicine, you could start there
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
kill_reign, learn to love the ambience rather than the thrill.
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Frosty the Snowman wrote:
kill_reign, learn to love the ambience rather than the thrill.
Shocked

and

frank4short wrote:
Have you tried drinking less/making sure you're better hydrated.
Shocked Shocked
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kill_reign, what diagnosis have you actually been given? Where in your knees does it actually hurt? What did MRI and/or arthroscopy show? Needing a lateral release suggests you have something rather different going on than just ageing knees.

Osgood Schlatters is usually pretty easy to diagnose and - often literally - stands out a mile - with a very tender prominent tibial tuberosity below the knee itself. If it was that - I cannot see how a normal brace would unload it, as they seem more designed to restrict lateral and Antero-posterior movement rather than flexion/extension - but a Mojo might well help.

I think I might be trying to work out who the orthopods are for your local football teams - or elite skiers - and seeking referral to them.
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hehe elite skiers I like that. NehNeh

My knees have been bad all my life matey, kneeling is painful and getting up again is nigh on impossible, excercise has helped this though. A diagnosis from the consultant lead to the belief of mis-aligned knees, I also had a sky line x-ray at the time (no mri) which showed a lump growing inwards from my knee, one of the reasons I went along *cough cough* snowboarding injury. The knee was operated on to perform a lateral release and an arthroscopy, unfortunately the knee is as bad as ever. I was told after wards I had excessive wear in the knee and had knees of someone in their 40`s, me being 33.
I goto a massues who`s working on the knees right now and she believes I have a bit of a tibial tuberosity but is is not very tender.
I can ski for a week solid in the alps on various intermediate off-piste courses come the second day swelling is very prominent on both knees, with the pain increasing as the week goes on to the point stairs are difficult and lunch breaks generally sieze them up taking alot of effort to get back into the rhythum again. Which is very dis-heartening as I have a reasonably high overall fitness level.
This year i`m aiming on an advanced course or 2 so anything which will help is a boost, building my skill levels up so I can get some good touring in with the idea of a good walk, earn my turns on a nice pitch or 2 with some decent skiing and the knees will be in good shape as they haven`t had a constant battering from lift based skiing


*lightbulb turns on*
talking about it one of my dads friends sons is a sports scientist at a uni somewhere. I`m off to give him a wee bell right now Very Happy
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kill_reign wrote:
hehe elite skiers I like that.

That is why I suggested contacting SSGB or Snowsport Scotland, they could find out where team members have been treated.
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Mountain Haddock and stoatsbrother have wise words (I think) about malalignment and osteochondritis.

It might be worth trying patellar taping before your next dry slope day and see if it makes a difference (this would tend to confirm a patellar malaignment/tracking problem)

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/453


Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Fri 7-08-09 9:50; edited 1 time in total
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