MDing and Bad Knees!

[MetalDetectorDude]

MD'ing and Bad Knees!

Man I love metal detecting, but my knees are starting to hurt as I get older (though I'm only 40). Of course, being 300 pounds doesn't help, either!

Anyone else have knee issues? Anything you do that helps while MD'ing?

 

[roadrunner]

Only you can do the first one. You know that. That is a lot of weight on the knees.
My wife has a bad knee and uses one of those knee braces that have the 2 metal, hinged flat stock steel on the sides, and they bend with your knees.
Hers use a velcro strap on the top, and bottom. Easy to put on and take off and are adjustable.
Ya know, water gain and loss ect. Kmart,Walmart,Target, low priced.

 

[wild eyed willey]

only going to get worse if you don't act now.

 

[MetalDetectorDude]

only going to get worse if you don't act now.

I'm trying to lose weight, believe me - eating very little carbs in the evening now, which is torture! However, I'm just naturally a big guy at 6'2 and ex competitive powerlifter. I find it VERY hard to get much smaller... but I realize something will eventually give at my size.

 

[nathan104]

I hear you. Im only 35 but had knee and back surgery at 29. Its very hard on both. A lot of times, Ill just site down instead of taking a knee to dig. I usually am down for a day or two after several hours of detecting. But, Im retired so I can rest it and get back out there.

 

[FreeMindStuck]

Losing weight is a good idea but very hard to do if you don't stay active. I have arthritis and have my own pain issues. I suggest you take an nsaid (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug), like ibuprofen. If ibuprofen isn't doing the trick, go to a doctor and get a script for a stronger nsaid like meloxicam or sulindac. The main thing is don't let pain stop you from doing something you love.

 

[Sandman]

I feel your pain as I am pushing 72, had a stroke couple years ago and meds clashed so I became diabetic, gained weight to almost 300 lbs. Then kidneys went so I ended on dialysis and just got off that with better kidneys which came back. All because of meds clashing. If it wasn't for Tnet I would have been a sorry mess. Try to get weight off the knees by hunting the water if you can. In waist deep water you don't even think of the knees. Coming ashore on the uneven ground will hurt where the ankles and knees need to flex sideways too will bother you. . Soon you will need a lift chair to get up to hit the restroom.. Try to stay active and mainly watch the salt intake as that makes you retain water.

 

[LifeNRA]

Yep, been there still have it! My archery season this year has been put on hold. Hopefully the rifle season will allow me to get out. Being on my feet 8-12 hours at work has not been helping, but I still get up every morning. Metal detecting has been put hold as well.

One of the best ways you can do to lose weight, drop the carbs! Diabetes is in my family like water, I am also a diabetic. Fortunately, I am controlling it through my diet as of now. I was taking meds, but after losing 30-35 pounds I was able to drop the meds as well. I did this by not eating carbs. Yes it sucks, I love pasta, bread, pancakes and such! But you need to do it to take off the weight and to stay off the meds!

 

[firemac]

I feel your pain, yep weight and sports are the big knee killers. I replaced the right knee in 2009 and the left one needs it now, when I drop a few pounds its the difference of night and day with the knee pain. Also, be careful with long term NSAID use, I take meloxicam for the pain and an 81 mg ASA to help against the negative side effects of the NSAID, read up on the NSAIDs about the stroke and heart attack warnings. HH

 

[releventchair]

Digging Mi. too.One knee left and its worn out. I use a wheel chair.You don,t want to much belly if you dig from it though.Transfer to ground first if you can,t reach it..i,d rather keep weight off ,not easy but option is not fun, just sitting.The right doctor and plan and determination may be in order. A friend had surgery to help. Years of no walking resulted in gaining to much weight.

 

[cudamark]

Until you can get enough weight off to kneel down again, I'd hunt a sandy beach or the water where you can use a long handled scoop. No bending needed!

 

[gerryk]

Good shoes help with leg and knee pain. Also try some of the Dr shoels inserts. I take glucosamine from GNC and if iI stop my knees kill me and i have to hold on with both hands to go up and down the stairs. I use gel knee pads when detecting. Besides protecting my knee caps from any small things i may kneel on, they actually make it ok for me to kneel down and dig. If you have problems getting back up, carry a wooden walking stick. My pro swing 45 takes care of the bad shoulders i have and if i am going to be out a while i take some aleve for my back.

 

[MetalDetectorDude]

Thanks guys! Lots of great ideas and advice for me. I appreciate it.

 

[FreeMindStuck]

I feel your pain, yep weight and sports are the big knee killers. I replaced the right knee in 2009 and the left one needs it now, when I drop a few pounds its the difference of night and day with the knee pain. Also, be careful with long term NSAID use, I take meloxicam for the pain and an 81 mg ASA to help against the negative side effects of the NSAID, read up on the NSAIDs about the stroke and heart attack warnings. HH

The side effects of nsaids are definitely real but there is a very low probability of experiencing them. And I believe they are worth the risk if your pain is preventing you from being active. They are also a little hard on your liver. So you should avoid them if you are an alcoholic and get a liver function test once a year if you take them continuously. I took them for over ten years every day without any side effects. My disease got worse so I take Humira now instead, which also has some horrible possible side effects. But worth the risk given the alternatives.

 

[Wily Dunk]

My knees are shot too, already had two left knee surgeries and now the doctor is talking replacement and my right knee is bad also.. The doctor did give me a sample of some drops called PENNSAID.. It is a prescription topical INSAID applied directly to the knees.. The doctor said they are very expensive but if it helps my pain and movement, she'll keep giving me samples to save money.. I'm not a fan of INSAIDs at all but at this point I'm ready to try anything as the alternative is knee replacement and at 60 years old and 6'5" tall and 330 lbs (yes I know I need to lose weight) I'd be out of action for a long while..

 

[smokeythecat]

Everything I own is shot too. I just beach hunt and avoid slopes and use a 4' scoop so I never (almost have to bend down), and always take something to sit on when the air goes out pfffffttttt.

 

[NJcigarman]

We should have our own topic site on Tnet. Injured my left knee in 1975 playing softball. Didn't really start bothering me until the last 15 years. Stiff occasional pain but still could hunt 8 hours. This summer hit bottom as pain just walking around. Hunting on the beach for years but this summer walking across dry sand was torture. Had my first cortisone shot on Thursday but today without any stress it is hurting again.
There is a Doctor here in NJ who specializes in the non- invasive replacements. You usually go home the same day and start rehab the next day. I was skeptical until 2 different friends had their knees replaced. Stay tuned I have an appt in December.

 

[gerryk]

My wfe had one of those knee replacements there were limited invasive. She walked out of the hospital the same day.

 

[Hookedondetecting]

In my 60's. This Summer my knees started stiffening up. I work 8 hrs a day sitting. Seems that the long I sit the stiffer they get. Also the pain in getting down and up. Was hard to go down stairs. I found with the need to get down and up again and metal detect has help alleviate the pain and stiffness. I used a miniature half shovel to help me get up and down. For me it is use it or loose it.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I'm 61, haven't been able to kneel in years, I bend at the waist and my screw driver probe and digging tool are extra long. I take Ibuprofen before I go detecting. Have had to switch to whole wheat and brown rice. They don't have a potato replacement I like yet. If losing weight was easy for me, I would have done it by now. I would rather detect than eat, so guess I'm addicted to this hobby! LOL ! HH to you!