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Knee pain/fatigue...

liquidfeet

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I vaguely remember having an instructor for a women's group lesson to do an exercise just standing around on a flat near the top of the lift. She asked everyone to lean as far forward as they could, with knees bent a bit. Then she said to lean back as far as possible. The question was which position felt more secure.....
In a training session a few years back my group of instructors was asked to ski down to the lift in the back seat. We were challenged to get as back-seat as we could. This was an eye-opener for me. It felt very secure. So I all-of-a-sudden knew why people do it.

I knew that the secure feeling is misleading. I assume people skiing aft feel more secure being back against the spine of the cuff than getting forward against the tongue. They clearly do not know what they are missing. So that's a thing I try to teach.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
In a training session a few years back my group of instructors was asked to ski down to the lift in the back seat. We were challenged to get as back-seat as we could.
I like to watch the kid lesson groups at Massanutten, either riding the lift or as I cruise by on the way to the lodge. You can see that the initial response when they feel insecure is to lean back. The exercise when an instructor or parent has a kid put their hands on their knees helps to get them more into a forward position. I'm thinking about little kids ages 3-6.

When I observed a PSIA clinic for instructors working towards the Children's certification, it was interesting. The trainer kept challenging the instructors to act like little kids. He was on a snowboard and teaching both skiers and boarders.
 

Pequenita

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Strengthen the quads, cruise on skinnier skis, and make sure you're not twisting/pivoting from the knee to turn and using the femur at the hip joint instead. Possibly -- if the lifts you ride do not have leg rests -- find lighter skis. I've had the great misfortune of being stuck on lifts without footrests for 40 minutes, and heavy skis really kill me in those situations.
 

Gidget415

Certified Ski Diva
Anything is possible! I had back surgery for 2 herniated disks and meniscus surgery over the last few years. Training your core and your legs helps a ton. I'm now able to ski with no braces and no pain and I'm turning 45 in a few weeks. You can do it!
 

SnowAngels

Diva in Training
I patella tendinitis too - the tendon that runs under your kneecap. Strengthening my knees and quads has helped - I have stretch band that I wrap put under my foot and hold tight whilst I extend my leg pushing against it -while I watch TV. But I also bought a specialist kneebrace that addresses this with a velcroed. Cross band that goes from one side to the other by crossing under the patella. That has also helped - a lot!
 

KBee

Angel Diva
So, this week I replaced the after market footbeds I was sold with the old factory ones, and it has helped so much! I think they were making me supinate too much.
 

newboots

Angel Diva
My knees ache after skiing, maybe more than last year. Arthritis is getting worse in my hands, so I don’t suppose my knees should be an exception. I’m more forward on my skis than I’ve ever been! Time to visit the PT, I think.
 

Jilly

Moderator
Staff member
I have arthritis in both knees. PT will help, but you may need more intervention. I had both Euflexx and cortisone shots in my right knee. I think the left one may be coming up.
 

nopoleskier

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My knees ache after skiing, maybe more than last year. Arthritis is getting worse in my hands, so I don’t suppose my knees should be an exception. I’m more forward on my skis than I’ve ever been! Time to visit the PT, I think.

My knees are shot.. according to the Dr. Torn MCL's severe arthritis.. Arnica although doesn't work for some, is my savior, now I should wear my elastic braces but I try too go without I want the muscles to get a work out. My form has deteriorated due to broken knees, good news they don't hurt when skiing but after some days.. yikes. Exercising the muscles around the knees does help.

Getting old sucks to put it mildly, You young Divas- Take care of your knees!!! I wish I hadn't been told "no pain no gain" when growing up competing, it's not true anything I gained while young I'm paying for now :-(
 

liquidfeet

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
torn MCLs
severe arthritis
pain
Are you being told you need total knee replacement?

I have a friend who just had that done due to arthritis, and she's never ever been any kind of athlete. She's recovering fine. Maybe it wasn't your previous skiing that did it, but genes. In which case regret might not be called for.

I'm just trying to help you let go of that blame of self. Sorry you are in pain!
 

SallyCat

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have patellar tracking issues and some arthritis; PT helped a great deal. I wear supportive insoles in all of my athletic shoes (and ski boots) and follow the PT regimen I was given pretty religiously. When I slack off, I feel it immediately. I would say, at least anecdotally, that if your knees hurt because of certain issues, there are things that PT can really help with.
 

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