Anyone here suffer from bad knees? I've had various bits of advice including using poles (a random fell-runner on scafell pike stopping for all of 36 seconds), wear insoles (the local physio), tape my knees up (also the physio although this causes other problems) and stop climbing mountains (my GP).

I've not tried the poles yet, but think I ought to - any ideas?

Everything you ever wanted to know about 'bad' knees, right here on OM:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/4958/srchdte/0/V/1/SP/

Knees. Mine play up from time to time. Agree that poles and insoles will help. I use both. I haven't had to strap up my knees yet so don't know how that will work. Has the physio not suggested any exercises to strngthen the muscles round the knee - that might help a bit depending on the problem. Ignore your GP and find a way that works for you. My weight was
(and sadly still is) a problem, if you are a bit on the heavy side a losing a pound or two will help - it helped me.

Good luck

Ian

Insoles are excellent. I injured my knee on Scafell Pike last year and suffered for weeks. I got some superfeet at christmas and have not had a single twinge since. Including a hideous descent off the Glyders. If you pop in a decent outdoors shop (I got mine at Cotswold in Keswick) they will talk you through them and cut to size.

I highly recommend getting a set of SUperfeet footbeds. I bought mine with my last set of boots and they've helped my descent-driven knee pain quite a lot. I got mine from Lockwoods in Leamington Spa, who do a superb fitting service.

I also found that being aware of *how* I descend has made a difference - I was tending to always step with the left foot on tricky bits, increasing the amount of load the left knee was taking overall.

For my height (nearly 6'3"), I'm not heavy (less than 13st), but I appreciate the exercise comment. I always worry which machines at the gym will exacerbate the condition, and which will improve things.

Dave, I do the same as you but opposite leg - my quads on ly left leg were knackered after the Welsh 1000s the other weekend!

Also, sorry for starting a duplicate thread - I should look more carefully, but if we know any good gym regimes, I'd be interested.