Knee - not shoulder.

[blackcat]

My right knee is suddenly giving me problems - wear and tear. No doubt the cartilage is shot at. Drove 5hrs down into Spain last week and now waiting for the X-ray. Mostly it amounts to a workaround at this stage, but have not yet worked out how to sit to practice and avoid having the leg bent at right angles/inactive for extended periods.

Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

David

[Mick-7]

We discussed the subject in this thread:

CBD for painful finger joints

I'm still taking the supplements I mentioned there, seem to be working.

[blackcat]

My question was about how to sit to practice when leg should not be bent at a right angle for long periods.

[Ukena]

Maybe sit on a higher stool, with a guitar strap holding the guitar, rather than resting on the right thigh?

I tend to practice this way...

[Mick-7]

My question was about how to sit to practice when leg should not be bent at a right angle for long periods.

Well, I can't give advice about something I haven't done, but as Ukena mentioned, there are: alternatives to conventional guitar straps, foot stools (that classical guitarists use), etc.

I've found that taking periodic practice breaks to stretch and /or walk can make a big difference, the key is not to sit or stay in any position for too long.

[Dennis D]

My right knee is suddenly giving me problems - wear and tear. No doubt the cartilage is shot at. Drove 5hrs down into Spain last week and now waiting for the X-ray. Mostly it amounts to a workaround at this stage, but have not yet worked out how to sit to practice and avoid having the leg bent at right angles/inactive for extended periods.

Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

David

I'm wondering whether they've given you / recommended a brace to keep the joint immobile. Maybe that's what you meant by 'workaround' . Then you experiment with finding a place to sit ( and play ) that allows the knee to be level, elevated or lowered. And then see which works best. Elevated is preferable, then level.
Ice ( @ 30 minute intervals ) under the knee while seated is also helpful, although I'd confirm the time frame - 30 minutes may be too long ).....
I like the taller chair suggestion, although when I could've used one, I didn't feel a lot like traipsing around a furniture store.(( I don't like shopping when I feel fine, much less when I don't. ))
After some knee and ankle issues a while ago, I settled on the living room couch with my knee on an ottoman.

Lots of good luck, and don't stay away from playing too long. You want to avoid that rut.

Hope some part of this helps !

[blackcat]

I'm wondering whether they've given you / recommended a brace to keep the joint immobile. Maybe that's what you meant by 'workaround' . Then you experiment with finding a place to sit ( and play ) that allows the knee to be level, elevated or lowered. And then see which works best. Elevated is preferable, then level.
Ice ( @ 30 minute intervals ) under the knee while seated is also helpful, although I'd confirm the time frame - 30 minutes may be too long ).....
I like the taller chair suggestion, although when I could've used one, I didn't feel a lot like traipsing around a furniture store.(( I don't like shopping when I feel fine, much less when I don't. ))
After some knee and ankle issues a while ago, I settled on the living room couch with my knee on an ottoman.

Lots of good luck, and don't stay away from playing too long. You want to avoid that rut.

Hope some part of this helps !

Thanks Dennis - really helpful. Seeing the doc next week and will ask for an
x- ray. Currently using an elastic sleeve/brace which helps and handing long drives over to Mme Black at at least for the moment and until proper assessment. Will also move to breaking up practice into 20 minute sections which of itself should improve discipline and avoid drifting and spending too long on one thing.

Thanks again,

David

PS Did your knee recover over time?

[Doug B]

How about one of these:

Slinger Straps Full Line Of Guitar and Bass Straps

Would they help?


Doug

[Dennis D]

Thanks Dennis - really helpful. Seeing the doc next week and will ask for an
x- ray. Currently using an elastic sleeve/brace which helps and handing long drives over to Mme Black at at least for the moment and until proper assessment. Will also move to breaking up practice into 20 minute sections which of itself should improve discipline and avoid drifting and spending too long on one thing.

Thanks again,

David

PS Did your knee recover over time?

You're welcome David.
Oh - and watch the inflammation too. When you're seated and the knee is elevated try to make that bend / transition at your hip as gradual as you can. That way the blood flows better both directions. Otherwise, the blood only goes the one direction. And any foot movement while seated helps too - like tapping your foot, moving back and forth etc. The movement helps circulation, which helps to reduce swelling.
The x-ray will obviously help. Good luck !
My knee improved, thanks, and there are things there are things they can do to help you too !

Dennis

[pawlowski6132]

My right knee is suddenly giving me problems - wear and tear. No doubt the cartilage is shot at. Drove 5hrs down into Spain last week and now waiting for the X-ray. Mostly it amounts to a workaround at this stage, but have not yet worked out how to sit to practice and avoid having the leg bent at right angles/inactive for extended periods.

Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

David

Get a good strap and stand.

[blackcat]

Get a good strap and stand.

Got straps-just not my style!

[RJVB]

The x-ray will obviously help.

Only with the diagnosis of course and even then it'll depend on the kind of x-ray. Cartilage doesn't necessarily show up very well in a traditional one. In France it'd be better to ask for a "scan" but then again a good doctor will know what to prescribe.

Ask for a genouillère too (or whatever the spanish equivalent is called). You can just walk into most pharmacies to have one fitted but with a prescription you'll get a reimbursement. I have several versions of those things, ranging from simple elastic hoses to ones with flexible lateral reinforcements to one with an actual metal "exo skeleton". I got the latter from A'zon; its main interest is that it becomes impossible to dislocate the knee joint without having too much compression going on behind the knee. All of them are quite good as dissuading me from keeping the leg bent at too sharp an angle for too long.

For your playing: have you considered using classical position, preferably using a support under the guitar instead of a footstool? A priori it will allow you to keep the right leg stretched out to some extent.

FWIW, when using an "ottoman" or similar: put the support as close to your knee as possible, or add another support under your knee. The last thing you want is additional stress on that joint from gravity trying to overstretch your leg.

[blackcat]

Only with the diagnosis of course and even then it'll depend on the kind of x-ray. Cartilage doesn't necessarily show up very well in a traditional one. In France it'd be better to ask for a "scan" but then again a good doctor will know what to prescribe.

Ask for a genouillère too (or whatever the spanish equivalent is called). You can just walk into most pharmacies to have one fitted but with a prescription you'll get a reimbursement. I have several versions of those things, ranging from simple elastic hoses to ones with flexible lateral reinforcements to one with an actual metal "exo skeleton". I got the latter from A'zon; its main interest is that it becomes impossible to dislocate the knee joint without having too much compression going on behind the knee. All of them are quite good as dissuading me from keeping the leg bent at too sharp an angle for too long.

For your playing: have you considered using classical position, preferably using a support under the guitar instead of a footstool? A priori it will allow you to keep the right leg stretched out to some extent.

FWIW, when using an "ottoman" or similar: put the support as close to your knee as possible, or add another support under your knee. The last thing you want is additional stress on that joint from gravity trying to overstretch your leg.

Really helpful and thank you. Return to France in the morning so will hit the pharmacie first thing. Will report back After rdv avec mon médecin. BTW where is Mons atheos?

Musicalement,

David

[RJVB]

BTW where is Mons atheos?

Lol, a very local name of the "mountain" on top of which I live, located in a small village in the Valois region

[blackcat]

Lol, a very local name of the "mountain" on top of which I live, located in a small village in the Valois region

Sounds idyllic.

David

[benhatchins]

How are you doing now? Joint pain really gets in the way of playing, especially long sessions. Supplements like omega xl get mentioned a lot, though the real benefits often come from consistent stretching and mindful technique. Still, anything that reduces inflammation can make a big difference for musicians dealing with constant strain.

[Eugle]

Sorry to hear about your knee, sounds painful. I’ve had similar issues with my left knee after long drives, and keeping it bent definitely makes it worse. For practice, I’ve found using a higher stool or adjustable bench helps keep the leg more extended and supported. Also came across a few joint-support aids on a Pharmacy B2B site. Might be worth checking out for long-term support alongside physio. Hope the X-ray gave you some clarity.

[RJVB]

Will report back After rdv avec mon médecin.

AFAICT you never did ... what was the diagnosis?

And since I didn't pick this up earlier: don't you use cruise control? I couldn't do without, not so much for my knee (I think!) as to avoid cramps in the lower leg.

Left knee - are you in a left-side driving country?

[blackcat]

AFAICT you never did ... what was the diagnosis?

And since I didn't pick this up earlier: don't you use cruise control? I couldn't do without, not so much for my knee (I think!) as to avoid cramps in the lower leg.

No cruise control on our cheapie Dacia Stepway! Diagnosis pointed to arthritis, but in fact much better now thanks.

Am resident en France so opposite side to UK and US.

Thanks for your reply.

David

[joe2758]

Hey blackcat, there is actually a known condition called driver's knee. It is very common, my wife has it. It sounds like tendonitis. Consult a doctor, but I would bet the answer they suggest will be some sort of physical therapy or even just at home exercises and stretches.

[RJVB]

No cruise control on our cheapie Dacia Stepway! Diagnosis pointed to arthritis, but in fact much better now thanks.

Yes, such things can flare up ... and you end up learning to live with them.

If you haven't already, try to find a driving position where you can use just the weight of your foot to keep the accelerator down where you'd otherwise use a cruise control (and your leg resting against the centre console). That's also something I learned early in my biker days, after I'd contracted a golfer's elbow from the first couple of longer trips.

Am resident en France so opposite side to UK and US.

I'm aware, that was to @Eugle

[RJVB]

Hey blackcat, there is actually a known condition called driver's knee.

What is Drivers Knee & How to Fix It

Must be the equivalent of the motorcyclist RSI that's identical to a golfer's elbow (like a tennis elbow but on the inner side of the arm).

[blackcat]

Thanks to all - really helpful stuff.

David