Started walking for exercise, but.....

[giddyup]

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

[mokwit]

no exert, but i think you will just be shortening for how much longer you will be ambulatory.

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

Are you sure you read it correctly......it definitely said walking?

[mokwit]

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

Are you sure you read it correctly......it definitely said walking?

I mean able to walk at all. Realistically he needs a specialist doctor to try and work out whether walking will do more harm than good.

[Rimmer]

11 minutes ago, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

 

I have a similar problem after years of cross country hash running, mountain biking and fell walking,  even a short walk gives pain and I would say exacerbates the condition a lot, suggest anything that gives you pain during or after, like walking for 30 minutes a day should be avoided.

 

I swim everyday, no pain during or after and have recently started lite-weight leg extensions to strengthen the muscle around the joint, early days but am finding this helps a lot. 

 

 

 

[3NUMBAS]

Biking is easier I find otherwise painfull so I keep a selection of bikes from heavy to light

[HappyExpat57]

Walking isn't as high impact as running, but it's still impact. As mentioned, bicycling and/or swimming is a whole lot better for your joints.

[cdemundo]

3 hours ago, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

I have a similar problem.

In the last year I have gotten the pain much more under control, used to be pretty much around the clock.

Now it is just occasional aching not sharp pain.

 

I use ibuprofen and frequent doses of diclofenac topical gel.

The diclofenac I use is difelene and I used to only put it on when my knees hurt, but the instructions on the package said use four times a day and when I do that it helps a lot.

 

I have soft neoprene knee braces for both knees with velcro closures,

I stop every lap around my nearby pond (0.3 miles) and rest just long enough to tighten the knee braces and check my walking app, so about 2 minutes.

My total walking time is around 55 minutes and about 10 minutes of that is rest.

My pain is pretty well controlled but if I go further the pain gets more severe.

 

Definitely try and control the pain I would say.

Just my experience, as always YMMV.

 

The problem that really limits me is my right knee on stairs is still really painful.

Up and down stairs, it's kind of variable but more than a few stairs and I usually have trouble and pretty sharp pain.

 

 

[Hummin]

A couple of options if bad knees. I got the rower in first link, and it is bang for the buck. Best buy ever on Lazada.

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.HrsfH

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.HrsiQ

 

[jas007]

3 hours ago, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

 

The first thing I'd do would be to talk to a doctor.  A specialist.  

[HappyExpat57]

Also, I had sudden onset arthritis in my knees that crippled me 2 years ago. The doctor told me to drop 30 pounds. I lost half of that and got my knees back 90%. Weight is a huge factor in knee discomfort.

[Sheryl]

@giddyup

You need to see an orthopedic doctor. Pain such that you  can't walk 30 minutes at a normal pace needs intervention.

 

If it is due to arthtitis there are alternatives to surgery that can help. eg HA injections. Targeted physical therapy to strengthen specific muscles that support the knee may also be beneficial. 

 

In the meantime  should stop at the point of pain as continuing will lead to inflammation and worsen matters. Maybe try 15 minutes twice a day instead of 30 minutes once? 

[KhunLA]

If you have access to a pool, deeper is better, then treading water, or swimming is excellent exercise.  No impact on the joints.   I had a pool at one house, mostly for just that.  Half the pool was 2+m deep, the other half was 1+m deep with built in sitting area in the pool.

 

Tread water for 15 mins or so is  hell of a work out.  Only a few months in cool season it wasn't usable.  

 

Walking is good, if impact is an issue, then cycling.  Real deal or a stationary bike at home, for convenience, and in AC comfort if wanting.

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Also, I had sudden onset arthritis in my knees that crippled me 2 years ago. The doctor told me to drop 30 pounds. I lost half of that and got my knees back 90%. Weight is a huge factor in knee discomfort.

I'm 6' 2" and weigh 84 kilos.

[giddyup]

55 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

@giddyup

You need to see an orthopedic doctor. Pain such that you  can't walk 30 minutes at a normal pace needs intervention.

 

If it is due to arthtitis there are alternatives to surgery that can help. eg HA injections. Targeted physical therapy to strengthen specific muscles that support the knee may also be beneficial. 

 

In the meantime  should stop at the point of pain as continuing will lead to inflammation and worsen matters. Maybe try 15 minutes twice a day instead of 30 minutes once? 

I'm walking at would be seen as a brisk pace, so I'll try slowing it down and 2 X 15 minutes as you suggested.

[novacova]

9 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I'm walking at would be seen as a brisk pace, so I'll try slowing it down and 2 X 15 minutes as you suggested.

It’s not the pace that matters as much as how you land your feet. Slapping the feet on the ground and over extending the legs are hard on the knees. Roll the feet from heal to toe more along the outer edge of the foot pads and keeping the knees slightly bent when expending the legs. Good foot wear is also important, personally lightweight Birkenstock EVA works best for me. I have bad knees and make it a point to walk every day for at least 5km up hill. If I lay off the walking for too long my knees begin to hurt. 

[GammaGlobulin]

You should try swimming.

 

Invest in a pool.

 

Or, a pool membership.

 

Unfortunately, I am not aware of many YMCA franchises here.

 

I used to swim at a great YMCA pool in Naples, Florida.

Low cost.

Free showers.

 

Maybe you can find the same deal, but through a different org that provides good swimming pools.

 

Still, I would say that, at least in places like Naples, Florida, the YMCA is the best for swimming at the lowest cost.

 

Just look for the YMCA sign...,.like this....

 

Although, I never saw these guys in Naples, when I was there.

 

[NoDisplayName]

38 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I'm walking at would be seen as a brisk pace, so I'll try slowing it down and 2 X 15 minutes as you suggested.

 

Start off slow.

Limit time and pace at first, build up slowly.

 

Where are you walking?  Smooth dirt paths or cushioned running tracks are best.  Asphalt give some cushion, concrete does not.

 

Wear proper running/walking shoes fit correctly with an appropriate orthopedic insole.  It's counterintuitive, but a very thick, soft cushion insert may put your knees/ankles at an awkward angle and cause more pain.

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

A couple of options if bad knees. I got the rower in first link, and it is bang for the buck. Best buy ever on Lazada.

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.HrsfH

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.HrsiQ

 

 

Super low price IF it is anywhere close to the Concept 2 in performance.

 

Still, for anyone with either back problems or knee problems or hip-joint problems, then I would say that a rowing machine, or rowing in a shell, or a scull, might not be the best thing.

 

Swimming is best as we age.

 

The problem is that access to a pool is not so easy around here.....in Asia.

This is also true of Japan, and Taiwan, and many other Asian countries.

 

 

[harryviking]

16 hours ago, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

Take this as a warning to every one usually just sitting and do not move much! Start walking! Start walking in stairs and steep hills. Find a Buddha near you, they often have a lot of stairs. Get lots of collagen. Google nutrients for your joints. 

[Sorted2024]

Easy bike rides on flat ground or walk in a swimming pool

[BusyB]

17 hours ago, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

 

Thought about a cross trainer / elliptical trainer?

I've been using one since I stopped jogging about 15 years ago because of my knees starting to twinge. No further problems. Obviously you don't set the resistance too high. Start off low and ratchet it up slowly as far as it'll go without causing symptoms.

 

Would knee replacements be a possibility?

 

But definitely see an orthopedist before you make any decisions.

[gargamon]

13 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If it is due to arthtitis there are alternatives to surgery that can help. eg HA injections.

I've been getting corticosteroids injected for hip OA. Is HA a longer term treatment? The steroids only seem to help for a few months. Thanks.

[sharot724]

I have learned to listen to my body now at 76. Walker for 45 years with only blistering.

After the flood now switched for change to stationary bike.

[save the frogs]

15 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Walking isn't as high impact as running, but it's still impact. As mentioned, bicycling and/or swimming is a whole lot better for your joints.

 

But walking is a natural movement that human beings need to do.

Not sure if he is doing himself more harm than good by avoid walking permanently.

I really can't say, but I'm not convinced there's a simple answer to this question.

If you stop doing natural movement, how will that affect you in the long run? 

 

[Presnock]

18 hours ago, Rimmer said:

 

I have a similar problem after years of cross country hash running, mountain biking and fell walking,  even a short walk gives pain and I would say exacerbates the condition a lot, suggest anything that gives you pain during or after, like walking for 30 minutes a day should be avoided.

 

I swim everyday, no pain during or after and have recently started lite-weight leg extensions to strengthen the muscle around the joint, early days but am finding this helps a lot. 

 

 

 

sounds like you might have solved the problem...just continue this same safe healing/strengthening to make sure the problem is actually solved.  Good luck!