'Gotta mountain goat hunt in SE Alaska coming up in November. Every big hunt I've ever been on, I've regretted not doing more cardio. I've been trying to do more cardio on the treadmill and step-ups on the weight bench, but my left knee started "popping". Not hurting, or swelling, just popping...with almost every step. I know it's a tendon slipping off of something, and it'll probably get worse, especially if I keep pushing. We have tons of braces, of all types, in this house and I'm wearing one, but it doesn't change or stop the popping. I'll ask the doc daughter tonight, but she's young and hates having to "treat" family. I get it. 'Thought some of you other old farts might have a suggestion, besides "see an orthopedic" and/or knee replacement. The wife is telling me to ice it, but I don't see how that's gonna do anything. My new motto: It never pays to exercise.

All suggestions appreciated!

You might be able to get your Doc daughter to suggest the best knee brace that's not too far into treatment. The other option is to see if your regular doc will refer you to a physical theraphist who could modify your workout.

Probably need a patella strap


With that said I found biking a lot easier on the knees. Just push through trying not to drop gears

Treadmills are horrible to run on. You can get great cardio on an elliptical

Oh, I never run. But I've always been a hard, fast walker. I figured the treadmill is softer than the pavement. This really started in between treadmill sessions, on an easy 2-mile walk in the neighborhood.

'Never played football, or any other sport in high school. I can't imagine what my classmates that were on the state 5A champion football team feel like these days.

This probably isn't much help, but mine was popping and hurting during my afternoon walks, usually two miles sometimes more. It got bad enough that I quit walking on my county road and started going to the school track. That way if it got bad enough I was always within a couple hundred yards of the truck. It finally worked itself out with nothing more than persistence. I still go to the track most days of the week.

If I don't walk I use my Nordiic Track Cross Country ski machine in my office. The knee never gives me a problem on it and it is a much better exercise anyway. I just like outdoors and walking better.

Can’t wait to hear about it, hope all goes well sir

Try a steady regimen of fish oil pills.

Due to you not abusing your body as a youngster it’s likely that it’s not a cartilage issue but your joints may just need some lubrication.

Don’t let anyone fool you a mountain goat hunt is gonna be harder on your body than a treadmill or a elliptical machine so no reason to baby yourself at this point. But a good steady walk around the hood or the ranch is good practice for your hunt, I would suggest carrying a pack from this point forward.

find a good anti inflammatory

start knee rehab exercises

BUT first, and I know you said dont say it but please find a good Ortho Surgeon. I'm sure S.A. has some great ones

61 is getting close to needing a new one, partial, clean-out scar tissue/arthritis.

I will have a brand new left knee this time tomorrow, so I have some experience in F'ed up knees

Go see a knee specialist. A couple of years ago I was having bad knee problems - pain and weakness. Went to see Dr Bramwell at Texas Sports Medicine in Bryan. He put me on a therapy program, with electric stimulation of leg muscles to get the muscles to firing in the correct sequence. Sounded like hooey when he explained it, but it worked great.

lots of options

I'm almost two weeks out from my replacement and all is great so far. I'm really pushing my exercises. Yes, it hurts but nothing like many say it hurts. I still have plenty of rehab left till I can be released

Tramadol, ice and Tylenol 650mg working great on the after workout and round the clock pain.

GO NOW, so you can be ready by November