Hiking is a great way to get some fresh air, burn some calories, and see some beautiful sights. It can even be a fun activity for people who love the great outdoors. However, if you’re someone who hikes often, you may start to notice that your knees are hurting a little more often than usual.
Knees can take a lot of wear and tear from the many hours you spend standing and walking. If you hike often, you are probably subjecting your knees to more pressure than usual.
Is hiking bad for your knees? Or, is the discomfort you feel from hiking a sign that something is wrong? Let’s take a look at the potential causes and the best ways to manage knee pain while hiking.
Can Hiking Cause Knee Pain?
The short answer is no. When you hike, your knees are subjected to pressure and weight, which can cause them to hurt at times. However, if you find that hiking causes knee pain more often than not, it may be a sign of something else going on in your body.
Women over the age of 30 are more likely to experience knee pain while hiking than men under the age of 30. This could be because women have higher levels of estrogen and less collagen in their knees than men do.
The lack of collagen in older woman’s knees could lead to problems with cartilage and ligament stability later in life. Other possible causes of knee pain while hiking includes dehydration, low calcium levels, or muscle cramps from overexertion.
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How to Avoid and Deal with Knee Pain When Hiking
The great thing about hiking is that there are so many different trails you can take to find the right one for you.
Keep reading to learn more about how to avoid knee pain when hiking, as well as tips on how to keep your knees happy while you’re out there.
I. Train Before You Head Out
Before you head out on your hike, make sure you’re training and know what you’re getting into. If you have any knee pain or other injuries when hiking, it could lead to more serious issues later on.
Don’t set yourself up for a bad experience in the woods by not knowing what to expect from your body before you start.
II. Take the Right Boots
The right boots are essential when you’re hiking. There are specific hiking boots for certain types of trails, as well as certain conditions. You want to make sure that your boots are waterproof and breathable so that your feet stay dry and cool during the hike.
Make sure to take a look at the different types of trail shoes available on the market. Different terrain requires different shoes, so make sure to pick something appropriate for your hike before heading out.
III. Walk With The Right Form
When you hike, it’s important to walk in the correct form. A common mistake people make is leaning too far forwards or over their hips.
To avoid knee pain, you need to keep your body aligned properly and straighten your leg from your hip. If you feel any discomfort in your knees, take a break and check for proper form.
IV. Hiking Trails That are Easy
If you prefer to hike trails that are a bit easier, there are some trails that you need to avoid. For example, if you’re an experienced hiker and want to take part in a longer trail, avoid trails with lots of stairs.
Stairs make it difficult for your knees to keep up with the rest of your body. If you don’t have enough time or energy, avoid trails with lots of steep hills. Steep hills can also lead to knee problems while hiking because they give your knees no break from the effort it takes to climb them.
V. Stay Hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated during your hike. This will help you avoid any knee pain while hiking, as well as provide you with more energy and endurance.
You should drink plenty of fluids, but it’s even better if you have a water filter or purifier so that the water is clean and safe to drink.
VI. Avoid Injury
The most important thing to remember when hiking is to be cautious and slow. When you hike, you need to make sure that you don’t go too fast or use the wrong type of shoes. You also need to make sure that you take care of your feet and knees. Make sure you have good-fitting shoes on and are walking slowly enough so that your joints can feel the ground beneath them.
If you’re new to hiking, start with a short hike in an area where there isn’t much elevation change. Give yourself time to get used to the idea of hiking on uneven surfaces before getting more challenging trails in your routine. This will allow for a gradual increase in distance, duration, and intensity as your fitness improves.
VII. Going for a Jog Instead of a Hike
If you want to go for a hike and still get some fresh air and exercise, try going for a jog instead. Jogging is a less strenuous activity than hiking that still offers many of the benefits of hiking.
Additionally, if you feel like your knees are hurting or uncomfortable, it might be best to take a break from hiking and try something different, like jogging.
VIII. Using a Hiking Pole
Hiking poles allow you to maintain your balance and provide support as you hike. Using a hiking pole is especially important for hikers who are elderly or have knee injuries that limit their ability to walk naturally. This can help reduce the chances of developing knee pain from hiking.
Lastly, if you do experience knee pain while hiking, stop immediately and rest until the pain subsides. This may be something as simple as taking a break to drink some water or taking a moment to stretch out your legs before continuing on with the hike.
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Tips on What to Do When Your Knees Hurt After Hiking
After a long day of exploring the outdoors, your legs may feel sore, achy, and even a bit pained. That’s to be expected. However, if you’re also dealing with knee pain, keep reading. You may be doing yourself a disservice by ignoring the potential problems you’re having.
That’s because knee pain can be a sign of something more serious. If this is the case for you, it’s important to know what to do to get your knees back to normal.
I. Know The Signs of Knee Pain After Hiking
If you’ve been hiking for a day or more and notice your knees are sore, achy, and pained in any way, it’s time to take care of them. If the pain is anything like the symptoms below, it might be time to visit your doctor:
- Difficulty putting weight on the affected knee
- Pain when you try to extend your leg
- Inability to bend your knee at all
- Feeling as if you need to stop walking suddenly because of pain
If this sounds like something you might be feeling, there are ways to alleviate the pain. The most common way people do this is by icing their knees. Ice packs work well for this because they can easily fit into pockets and bags that might not be able to hold water bottles.
Additionally, there are other ways of relieving the pain that may not require ice packs. For example, taking short walks can help soothe and reduce pain during the rest of your hike. However, if it doesn’t go away within a few days then it might be time for a trip to see your doctor.
II. Take it Slowly
If you’ve been hiking a lot and are experiencing knee pain, it may be time to take it slow. Take more breaks. Stop for short periods of time. If your knees hurt after a few hours of hiking, know that this is normal and that you should head back home.
Don’t push yourself too hard or too fast. If you have any concerns about your knee health, see a doctor for a checkup. Otherwise, if your symptoms are not serious and you simply want some relief from the pain, then try this:
III. Don’t Jump Right Back into Your Activities
The first thing you should do is make sure your knee pain doesn’t put you at risk. It’s important to let your body heal after a long day of hiking. There is no specific timeline for when you should jump back into your activities, but you need to take the time for yourself and allow your body to recover.
It’s best to take it easy when you’re in pain. Avoid pushing yourself too hard. If you’re feeling any pressure or pain in your knee, stop what you’re doing and give yourself more time before trying anything again.
IV. Get a Massage
One way to reduce the pain is to get a massage. Massages are an effective way to loosen your muscles and relieve tension, so they’re a must-do during a long hike. If you don’t have someone nearby who can give you one, try getting one yourself. A kneepad can be used as a makeshift massager on your own knees while at home.
Another good trick is icing them. It may seem counterproductive, but it actually provides relief by cooling down the area that’s in pain. Just make sure to ice them for only 10-15 minutes at a time and keep moving around periodically so you don’t end up icing for too long.
V. Ice it Down
Ice is one of the best ways to fix knee pain. If you’ve been hiking, chances are you will have brought an ice pack with you. Take that ice pack out during your hike and put it on your knees for about ten minutes in the morning and evening.
You can also use ice packs throughout the day to help reduce swelling and pain. However, be careful not to overdo it. Too much ice can cause frostbite, which can lead to tissue damage or nerve damage both of which would make your knee pain worse in the long run.
VI. Treatments and Exercises
If you’re dealing with knee pain, it’s important to take a step back and address the issue. Treatments that may help include icing, rest, and certain exercises. In addition, talking to your doctor may be the best option for relief.
For those who are out of options or want to do more at home, there are a few exercises that can help ease the pain. These include foam rolling, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Additionally, you can also try yoga or another form of exercise to balance out your joints and stop stress from building up in your knees.
How Hiking Can Cause Knee Pain?
Many people experience knee pain while hiking. This is usually due to the way that you walk, not just the activity itself. For example, if you are focusing more attention on your knees than your other joints and muscles when you hike, this can cause knee pain.
It’s important to balance out all of your body weight and remember to focus on lightening up on your joints when hiking instead of taking extra strain on them. Some other causes of knee pain while hiking includes arthritis or a misaligned pelvis.
What is Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a common injury that can be caused by overuse or poor technique. It typically manifests as swelling, warmth, and tenderness around the knee joint. It’s nothing to worry about for most people, but if you’ve been hurt in the past, it’s important to consult your doctor.
There are many potential causes of knee pain while hiking, from minor problems like tight muscles or tendonitis to more serious problems like arthritis.
Should I Wear a Knee Brace When Hiking?
Knee injuries are common outdoors and can be especially problematic for hikers. Cracking a leg in the woods can have disastrous consequences, from causing permanent damage to you and your friends to putting you in a social bind when you need to continue hiking with a group.
Also, It doesn’t take much to overextend an injured knee, and that’s why hiking with a knee brace is so important.
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Conclusion
Hiking can be an incredibly rewarding and relaxing exercise. Unfortunately, it can also be painful and leave you feeling sore for days.
But there are ways to minimize the risk of knee pain when hiking, so you can enjoy your hikes without pain.
New to hiking? Check our Hiking resource page.
