Hitting the Parks with Arthritic Knees

[CapeCodTenor]

Anyone do the parks with arthritic knees? How do you deal with it in the parks? I really don't want to have to deal with scooters or even a cane, though a cane is a much better option than a scooter. Now that I've asked the question, let me back up some. I've had arthritis for sometime now, but in the last few months it's gotten worse. I have found some videos on YouTube of physical therapists who talk about arthritis and strengthening the knee, and I'm working on doing that, but wanted to hear from other people. How'd you handle going to the parks with your knee pain?

 

[Pooh2]

Compression knee sleeves help but would not be comfy in the summer months.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Compression knee sleeves help but would not be comfy in the summer months.

I was thinking that.

 

[citruscurtis]

How many miles a day are you walking?

 

[Gracedis1]

Can you get a cortisone shot before you go?

 

[Dan Murphy]

One word, well, two words. A scooter and a cane. I've used both quite a number of times, could not do the parks without. Rent the scooter from offsite so you have it at the resort and anywhere. The word scooter there may default to a board sponsor, Buena Vista Scooter. I've used them, excellent.

 

[Ning Ning]

I agree with a shot. I got one before going to Paris last year and I'm going to get another one before heading out on a three week trip to Colorado and other parts out west.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Thanks for all your replies, everyone. I do appreciate it. See replies below

How many miles a day are you walking?

Right now? None. I know, I need to start walking, and will. I have a treadmill downstairs in the basement and will start using it. I need to lose weight anyways, so it'll be a two for one deal.

Can you get a cortisone shot before you go?

I've had other issues where a cortisone shot would have helped, and I've not done it. I would like to avoid it if possible, but realize that I may be getting to the point where I might not be able to avoid it.

One word, well, two words. A scooter and a cane. I've used both quite a number of times, could not do the parks without. Rent the scooter from offsite so you have it at the resort and anywhere. The word scooter there may default to a board sponsor, Buena Vista Scooter. I've used them, excellent.

I'm trying to avoid having to get a scooter, and believe that I can succeed with the right amount of exercises and strengthening. Now, a cane? That might be one accoutrement I might have to get use to, though if I can avoid that I will. Thanks for the reply, @Dan Murphy. It's been a while since I've seen you reply to one of my posts.

I agree with a shot. I got one before going to Paris last year and I'm going to get another one before heading out on a three week trip to Colorado and other parts out west.

Thanks for the reply. I'm considering getting a cortisone shot, but am trying to strengthen first.

 

[robinb]

I know you don't want to hear this, but a scooter is your best option. I resisted for a couple of years and used a cane. However, I found using a cane to be VERY tiring a LOT of work AND it didn't really help all that much. I finally bit the bullet and rented a scooter from Gold Mobility and I have not looked back. I don't care what people think about me. My knee doesn't hurt, I'm not spending 30 minutes each night icing it, and I can go all day in the park if I need to.

I would also suggest cortisone shots a couple weeks before your trip. It makes a big difference for me.

 

[disneyseniors]

OP: My husband used a foldable cane while at WDW. He just folded it up before getting on a ride and put it in his cargo pants pocket. He loved using that one. He had a regular cane before but had to give it to the CM to hold til after the ride. Also I agree with the cortisone shots. I am going to have one in my hip before our trip this spring. They really help.

 

[China Expat]

I take fish oil tablets twice a day and it has reduced my knee pain tremendously!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I know you don't want to hear this, but a scooter is your best option. I resisted for a couple of years and used a cane. However, I found using a cane to be VERY tiring a LOT of work AND it didn't really help all that much. I finally bit the bullet and rented a scooter from Gold Mobility and I have not looked back. I don't care what people think about me. My knee doesn't hurt, I'm not spending 30 minutes each night icing it, and I can go all day in the park if I need to.

I would also suggest cortisone shots a couple weeks before your trip. It makes a big difference for me.

You may be right, however, my potential trip isn’t until January of next year, so I have until late November/early December to decide if I’m even going to go or not, or if I need a scooter. Also, my arthritis isn’t at the point where I need surgery, so I do have do some time. I’m just kind of prepping myself here for the possibility. That’s sad, I’ve been doing research on arthritic knee pain, and found that a lot of physical therapists, that I have found online at least, have said that strong glutes can go a long way to helping out with knee pain. I have started working on some exercises to strengthen the glutes which have actually been helping a lot with my knee pain. Does that translate to walking without pain? Can’t say yet, but that will be the next part of my plan. I’m going to start walking on a treadmill that I have in my basement and see if I can walk for long periods of time to see how the knee holds up. I do appreciate your response. I love hearing everyone’s response.

OP: My husband used a foldable cane while at WDW. He just folded it up before getting on a ride and put it in his cargo pants pocket. He loved using that one. He had a regular cane before but had to give it to the CM to hold til after the ride. Also I agree with the cortisone shots. I am going to have one in my hip before our trip this spring. They really help.

Never thought of the folding cane. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the reply, @Dan Murphy. It's been a while since I've seen you reply to one of my posts.

Hi again, CCT.

I looked up where you generally post. I pretty much do not visit the forums that you do, and on the CB, I do not visit the Broadway thread. But I will be looking for you on the CB and related forums which I visit. Hope your knee issues go well.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I take fish oil tablets twice a day and it has reduced my knee pain tremendously!

My wife’s been getting this stuff that she puts in water, I guess it’s a supplement. Anyways, she got some for my knee pain. She says it’s to help rejuvenate Cartilage, I believe is what she said. Anyways, I’m gonna start using it to see if it helps. But fish oil might also work for me, so thanks for the suggestion.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Hi again, CCT.

I looked up where you generally post. I pretty much do not visit the forums that you do, and on the CB, I do not visit the Broadway thread. But I will be looking for you on the CB and related forums which I visit. Hope your knee issues go well.

I use to come to the CB all the time but stopped. I need to frequent this board more often. Either way, it was good to see you post on my threat.

 

[disneychrista]

I agree with @Dan Murphy get a scooter. Your knee(s) will appreciate it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Moving / exercise and PT do not help my arthritis pain at all, not even a little, in fact all of it brings me to tears most of the time & I am honest with my Drs about that now that I am older and at peace with it. I understand you wanting to be able to walk, same here. It helps a lot to rest and avoid any kind of strain in the weeks leading up to trips, to show up in the best possible condition with no damage.

Before I went back to a theme park I spent a lot of time finding the most comfortable shock absorbing long distance running shoes for me. To me these are New Balance Fuel Cell because it feels like a trampoline in the shoe preventing that crushing pressure in my feet that just drives the pain up and into my knees but people have all sorts of favorites, you just need to find what that is for you. Generally, I have found I can test all kinds of long distance runners with online buying and walk around in the house without doing damage to the sole, I almost always know immediately and can send things back. I rely on reviews and personally prefer shoes that feel soft and spongy, soft shoes has been life changing for all my ouchies.

Now would be a good time to make a follow up appointment with your GP and ask for some recommendations so you approach this as a team. I have found Dr's resistant if I spring something on them but the are supportive if I sort of bring them along with me as I try to live a normal life. I go to see my Drs a long time ahead of the trip and have a honest conversation about what I want to do and ask for prescription pain medication specifically for the trip and I usually share my flight info. I have lidocaine and such, for some reason no-one has ever given me shots of any kind but from what I have read this can weaken joints so I guess that is not good for me. Asking for pain medication isn't something I ever do except for traveling to a theme park because I can't tolerate sitting still on anywhere for more than an hour and on a plane where am I gonna go? Since this is only 10 days every year or so it seems to be going ok enough. If you think a shot might work try asking your Dr to test one out now so you know if you get some additional pain right after the shot, how long that irritation lasts, if the shot works well and how long it works so you can manage the timing for yourself.

Good luck, I hope you get there and have a nice nice

 

[AustinTink]

One word, well, two words. A scooter and a cane. I've used both quite a number of times, could not do the parks without. Rent the scooter from offsite so you have it at the resort and anywhere. The word scooter there may default to a board sponsor, Buena Vista Scooter. I've used them, excellent.

I second Buena Vista Scooter. They were fabulous to work with, prices were competitive and the scooter we rented came with ponchos and a case of water. Nice Perk!

My husband was in a boot for our last trip. We almost didn’t go because he didn’t want to use a scooter. By the end of the trip he loved that thing. We rented a portable one that broke apart easily for Uber rides. It was zippy and easy to use.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Moving / exercise and PT do not help my arthritis pain at all, not even a little, in fact all of it brings me to tears most of the time & I am honest with my Drs about that now that I am older and at peace with it. I understand you wanting to be able to walk, same here. It helps a lot to rest and avoid any kind of strain in the weeks leading up to trips, to show up in the best possible condition with no damage.

I'm sorry you feel pain when you do your PT and exercises. Right now I'm not seeing a physical therapist for this, but am doing exercises that I've researched online for arthritic knee pain (from physical therapists that I follow on YouTube), as well as what I've been given in the past by my physical therapist. Is it actually working? I believe it is because my knee doesn't hurt as much, and it also isn't as stiff when I stand after sitting for long periods of time. Now, I will say that I have yet to start exercising, walking or light weight training, so I have yet to test it out, but for the most part I believe it's working. I will say that when I took my family down in '23, I had no problems because I had worked out for a few months prior to me heading down. So this tells me that what I was doing was working. I know I'll have to get a knee replacement surgery at some point, my orthopedic surgeon said it's inevitable. If I can push it off as long as I can I will.

Before I went back to a theme park I spent a lot of time finding the most comfortable shock absorbing long distance running shoes for me. To me these are New Balance Fuel Cell because it feels like a trampoline in the shoe preventing that crushing pressure in my feet that just drives the pain up and into my knees but people have all sorts of favorites, you just need to find what that is for you. Generally, I have found I can test all kinds of long distance runners with online buying and walk around in the house without doing damage to th e sole, I almost always know immediately and can send things back. I rely on reviews and personally prefer shoes that feel soft and spongy, soft shoes has been life changing for all my ouchies.

Last time I went down I had a pair of New Balance 914's that were pretty good. Just recently I found a pair of Brooks Beast GTS that are made with a bigger/thicker sole for bigger guys who want to stay active. I tried them on in the store and instantly fell in love with them, but chose not to buy them at the time. I'll go back later this year and get them.

Now would be a good time to make a follow up appointment with your GP and ask for some recommendations so you approach this as a team. I have found Dr's resistant if I spring something on them but the are supportive if I sort of bring them along with me as I try to live a normal life. I go to see my Drs a long time ahead of the trip and have a honest conversation about what I want to do and ask for prescription pain medication specifically for the trip and I usually share my flight info. I have lidocaine and such, for some reason no-one has ever given me shots of any kind but from what I have read this can weaken joints so I guess that is not good for me. Asking for pain medication isn't something I ever do except for traveling to a theme park because I can't tolerate sitting still on anywhere for more than an hour and on a plane where am I gonna go? Since this is only 10 days every year or so it seems to be going ok enough. If you think a shot might work try asking your Dr to test one out now so you know if you get some additional pain right after the shot, how long that irritation lasts, if the shot works well and how long it works so you can manage the timing for yourself.

Good luck, I hope you get there and have a nice nice

That's not a bad idea. In the past I've never thought about it, but now that I'm planning a possible trip to Disney with arthritis, it might be a good idea to get my PCP onboard. I already take something for my arthritis pain, and know my doctor won't prescribe more, but he might suggest other things.

As always, I appreciate everyone's response. Thanks.

 

[Dukemayh]

I feel you—knee pain can really put a damper on enjoying things. I’ve found that pacing myself, taking breaks, and wearing supportive shoes helps. Also, stretching before and after really makes a difference.