OK, straight up, at 35, I have arthritis in my left knee.

This was usually not a issue when riding in Todd Reids EG HB at Mid Ohio.

I went to Speeds in Columbus OH this weekend after a informal car meet. I did three 8 minutes sessions, and honestly, it was better than sex. I haven't entered a autox for over 3 years since riding with Todd Reid at Mid Oh, I was hooked on bigger courses.

Well after the three sessions, I drove home to Cincy, about 115 miles. Halfway, my kneee started to swell BIG TIME! I had to miss work Sunday night (*** kissing to keep my job, NO JOKE!).

I'm afraid that if I build my POS Civic to race or HPDE, I'll not be able to go back o work or ENJOY the whole 1-2 day event. I'm depressed because it wanna go wheel-to-wheel, but am happy that I didn't waste 5-10K on a car that I couldn't ENJOY.

BTW most rookies run 67-71 second laps at Speeds (www.speeds.cc), I came out of the first session at 63.93, 60.034 after the 3rd session. This was without watching others run the course, just following the line. I even did a point by on the first session, at a go cart track!!!!!!

Note to Todd Reid, I've learned more that you might expect, but I really hate what has become of my knee.

 

Bone,

that really sux.

congrats on your driving, though.

I assume you have decent health care insurance at your current job; have you had someone look at your knee? We have a guy here in my department that has had both knees repaired (doctors "scraped" them). They can also be injected and treated other ways...

get those suckers fixed and come race with us!!!

good luck

 

Todd, thanks, I do fell better with your insight.

One doc sez "scraping" will help, another sez it is of no use. Injections have yet to be proven of time of more that 2 years.

I just wanna come out and PLAY if you know what I mean!

 

Bones,

I assume you do not have a full harness and race seat yet. Part of the problem you were probably having was that you were probably using the leg alot to brace yourself in the corners. When you have a well fitting race bucket and full harness (with cage of course) you will not need to exert any pressure on your knee except to shift gears. Now if this is from shifting, you do have a problem. If that is the case the suggestion I have would be to look into Race Karts. They would require little pressure from your knees when fitted with a proper seat. Hope you work it out. Also make sure to take some ibuprofen before you run to keep the inflamation down as much as possible.

If possible find someone to let you take their full race prepped car out and see how your knee does. Preferably when you do not have to work the next day...hehehe.

Good luck,
Eric


[Modified by Crosser, 6:55 AM 10/29/2002]

 

This is what I was wondering. You need to figure out if it's hurting from holding yourself in place or from working the clutch.


[edit] I can't read...


[Modified by JeffS, 12:06 PM 10/29/2002]

 

Unfortunately at the age of 20 I have the same problem due to a skiing accident. Luckily, it doesn't get all THAT bad unless I'm driving for hours at a time. I'm assuming it'll only get worse as the days go by. If you ever figure out a solution please post it to the board.

 

Since you did say it was your left knee, I'm also led to believe it's a result of you bracing yourself.

I'd also try to find someone to loan you a car with a cage, race seat and harness.

 

I would speak to an orthopedist before you go hanging up your helmet. My other serious passion is long distance cycle touring so I know a lot about knees. Usually a good orthopedic brace can go a long way towards helping solve the problem.

Mike

 

there is no bracing myself with my left leg, only when standing on the brake pedal.

This is what I was driving.........

no where to brace your leg. If that was so, I think I would not have lasted 3 run sessions.

I've got one days use left on my 4 year old autox tires. I'm gonna soften them in the spring, see how that goes.

 

Don't give up yet.
Try Ibuprofen and a brace
<U>before</U> you go out.
Lemme know when you're
gonna auto X!

 

i have bad knees from being very tall and growing quickly when i was younger. i can't do long sessions in karts either w/o knee problems. but in the car i'm good to go as far as autox and road trips. i'll see how it feels in 2 weeks when i go to lrp for the first time.
-spenc

 

At 35 JUST SAY NO! To surgery.. that's just bad business, and will most likely do nothing to help except perhaps in the short term. That type of surgery is somethign akin to getting back surgery at that age, you just don't do it. I am NOT a doctor, but I would suggest looking into alternative therapies. There are places that provide physical therapy, and you would be VERY surprised what exercise can do for arthritis. I have had it in my hands for years, but after starting exercise and lifting weights, it seems to have more or less gone by the wayside. Diet can play a big role, as well as vitamins and supplements (glucosamine/chrondratrin especially in this case). I suggest you look at all these options, and don't give up hope

dale

 

Great support guys...

 

I also just read recently that a group in the UK (I think) did a study on that knee scraping surgery for arthritis and found that patients that recieved just the incision (no actual "scraping") felt as much of an improvement as people that underwent to whole procedure. I would suggest until more is known about the costs and benefits on this operation to try alternative treatments.

 

OK,
Here are some things worth trying:
1. Massive doses of glucosamine sulfate with Chondritin. Read up on it. Take it religiously every day.
2. Stretch. Learn some simple stretching - not bouncing - exercises for your legs: calves, quads (the front thigh), and hamstrings(rear). Doi 15 minutes daily and GENTLY.
3.Do light - what you can do 15 repetitions of with only moderate effort - weight exercises 3 times weekly . 2 exercises each for quads, hams, calves.
3 sets of 15 reps, moderate exertion only. No macho bullshit!
4. Briskly walk 3 times weekly, working up to 30 minute sessions. Walk, don't run. Stretch out before and after.
5.Commit to this for 6 months.
Will it take time? yep! will it help? probably. what's to lose? nada!The worst that can happen is better overall fitness.
Good luck!
wildman

 

Just a thought outside of the box...
When all western medicine fails you, try seeing an accupuncturist. If that idea is not so far fetched, you may find yourself and your knee feeling better.

 

Since the 4 pins were placed in my back 2.5 years ago to keep me walking upright, I have done a few things to ease the pain and keep me on the most part flexible.
1) Realize you can't do the things you used to and NOT have pain, after a while the pain doesn't really bother you. Not to say you don't feel it, but the sensations get milder.

2) After reading 1) realize that you can't just stop doing what you love because of the pain.

3) Try alternate ways of thinking and therapy. Acupuncture as mentioned above, although I have not tried it as of yet, has been widely documented to porovide spot relief to local areas of pain. If you can pinpoint EXACTLY where it hurts, the therapist can usually remedy the situation using stimulus.

4) Accupressure, I have tried and although somewhat effective for short temr relief, did not last for me for longer than 2-3 hours.

5) Prescription drugs are NOT the answer. They are COOL in relieving pain, but, really can screw you up. Not preaching, but I was fairly close to addiction after the 6 months I was out of work.

6) Traditional medical doctors generally lean towards the "cut and stitch" repairs. Which in my case with a split L5 disc was needed, but not all joint issues require it unless there are deposits or torn junk in there. My ankle required a "scoping" which was a 3 hour procedure. I felt good enough to walk out of the hospital (which I did) and returned to work 7 days after that.

7) Eat spicy food. No kidding the chemical in hot pepper keeps the joints flexible. Actually my doctor advised me to try a presciption drug that is 50MG of this stuff, of which the name has escaped me right now.

What ever you do DO NOT GIVE UP. We may be a large group of individuals but in some ways a small support group. Don't let this ruin your life. Take these next comments with NO disrespect at all.

I read somewhere about a motorcycle racer who is paralized and his brother designed a no-lift air shift kart with a hand brake. There was an article on him in Car and Driver (or one of the others) a few years back.

For some modified ITA car ideas take a trip to Dave Davis Acura in PA. Ask to speak to Dave Davis (he's the owner). Dave has only one hand, but continues to road race. One of the greatest guys you even want to meet. He stopped up to my shop during the NNJR once a year tech last year, and it was great to meet and talk with him. He bought an EX-Comptech 2G Teg with a Lude VTEC motor in it and had his guys MAKE the car work for him.

As for the Kart, you could always have the pedals reversed (gas on left, brake on right), double up the right side pedals, use a hand brake with power assist...The ideas are endless, hopefully I've listed a few options. Be creative. I've used some of your tricks on my other project cars, you have the knack for designing something at low or even NO cost....Work on it, design a car/cart that works for YOU. Traditional design or not. Use this as a learning tool /engineering project. Check back and let us know what your up to....It would be great to see how you overcame the obstacle.

Good luck, and hope this re-ignites the candle...

Jeff
ps...If I re-read this to edit for spelling I might lose the passion I'm trying to convey. Please excuse it...

 

thx racerman.......

1) will read into
2) My now current job is as an order selector, throwing 1 to 80 pound cases daily, we stretch before start of shift and after lunch break.
3) calves = BIG, many weigt builders would kill the have my calves
4) walking is part of my 10+ hour a day job
5) 4 months and still going.

BTW I've lost 23 pounds (237 to 214) in 4 months JUST from the job I'm doing. I still eat the same fast foods. I'm "happy" at about 205-210, but the goal is 199.5 by next spring. I average 130-135 cases per hour for 10+ hours.

Going to work is the best exercise I can get, very aerobic!

But the pain, and I can take pain. Having 2 fingers MASHED in a press machine and I didn't flinch. I've had L4/L5 in my back give me problems, missed 6 months of work one year. Orthro just gave drugs, Chiro straighten me out.

The knee, when it flares up, the pain is SO intense, that my body reflexes cause knee to buckle. Cutting/Scarping is NOT a option right now. BTW with the LACK of rain over the summer, my knee gave me less problems this year. Seems cutting the grass really messes with my knee.

EVERYONE, Thanks for your insights! I'm still looking up!


[Modified by Mista Bone, 5:31 AM 10/30/2002]

 

Couple of other things...

Is there anywhere to rest your feet on the kart, some sort of heel rest, or do you have to keep your knees bent by using your leg muscles? You sure don't get the support from a kart seat that you would from a good car seat and harness.

This was just one event, and the first time you've done this in a while. Maybe your muscles and joints just aren't used to those particular stresses. I know that the first time I went karting it beat me up pretty good.

You might try the kart track again, not on a work night, and see if you have the same problem. Or you might rent or borrow a racecar and do a HPDE for a weekend and see how you stand up to that.

I'm sure you'll explore many of the options I and others have mentioned. Good luck.




[Modified by Geezer, 7:39 AM 10/30/2002]

 

When I've done a lot of karting, my leg muscles got quite sore.. same type of cart as in the picture.. I have no particular leg/knee problems.. I just kept those muscles tense for the whole time I was driving (partly to brace, partly from inexperience/excitement)

I would imagine that if you made a conscious effort to relax that leg, you'd have much less trouble.. esp. if the seat fits you well..

 

Bone,
just one more thing...and I am not trying to come off as either preachy or judgemental, my brother, but you mention 2 things that threw a red flag: weight and fast foods. Unless you are 6'4''that's a lotta weight you are carrying.
I am a "mesomorph'' (read ape), stocky, solid, whatever. When i got up to 180#, dude, I had constant knee pain. At 170, better. Now at 165, no mo problems, but i need to be at 155 to be 100%. And, no, i am NOT small boned. Calves will grow to carry the load, BTW, but knees ain't got no sense of humor. Don't know if it makes sense to ya but your answer may be in nutrition . Check out "The Zone" - lots of literature out there - it's all about balanced eating and IT WORKS! The Atkins Diet - almost all protein - will work to shed lots of pounds quickly but it is not a healthy long term solution. All this **** may seem like hard work and it is - but the alternative...
Food for thought.
Go for it!
wildman

 

Phooka/Racerman50.............

Been taking 750 mg of the Glos/Chron supplement for 1 week. I know the studies say it takes 2-3 weeks to see the results. Well, so far so good! The TRUE test this weekend will be mowing the grass (KILLER PAIN next day.)

I did ask my doctor, she said to try it, nothing to loose. Also come to find out her husband (also a doctor) does HPDE's and has same issues, only he drives a Porsche.

THANKS, there is HOPE!

H5 D15, hey Todd???

D15 VX rods, D16A1 pistons, my close ratio tranny, etc.............

one screaming D15 in need of driver!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mista Bone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thx racerman.......

1) will read into
2) My now current job is as an order selector, throwing 1 to 80 pound cases daily, we stretch before start of shift and after lunch break.
3) calves = BIG, many weigt builders would kill the have my calves
4) walking is part of my 10+ hour a day job
5) 4 months and still going.

BTW I've lost 23 pounds (237 to 214) in 4 months JUST from the job I'm doing. I still eat the same fast foods. I'm "happy" at about 205-210, but the goal is 199.5 by next spring. I average 130-135 cases per hour for 10+ hours.

Going to work is the best exercise I can get, very aerobic!

But the pain, and I can take pain. Having 2 fingers MASHED in a press machine and I didn't flinch. I've had L4/L5 in my back give me problems, missed 6 months of work one year. Orthro just gave drugs, Chiro straighten me out.

The knee, when it flares up, the pain is SO intense, that my body reflexes cause knee to buckle. Cutting/Scarping is NOT a option right now. BTW with the LACK of rain over the summer, my knee gave me less problems this year. Seems cutting the grass really messes with my knee.

EVERYONE, Thanks for your insights! I'm still looking up!


[Modified by Mista Bone, 5:31 AM 10/30/2002]</TD></TR></TABLE>

6'2", right now about 245 lbs., and driving a '88 lude. I feel you dude. Big guys driving hondas . And I've grown since last time I measured.

 

Last year at Grattan I got hit by an flying unmanned ATV (seriously). It was parked at the top of the upper paddock (no brake) and later on it rolled down the hill launching off the retaining wall into the canopy that I was sitting under. The canopy took most of the hit but the nerf bar hit my knee cause it to swell up and a trip to the ER. Next day I still couldn't walk on it (just hobble around) but I had no trouble driving in the race with just an ace bandage on it. Good seats & belts and all your knee will have to do is shift the clutch. Karting is much more physically than your typical road racing.

Jeremy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good seats & belts and all your knee will have to do is shift the clutch. Karting is much more physically than your typical road racing.

Jeremy</TD></TR></TABLE>

what he said! Karting is way more physically abusive than any car I've ever driven.

Lots of other good advice in this thread. Good seat & harness, maybe a knee brace, ibuprofen before driving (didn't see anyone mention that. Ask Dr. Chan if you want to know why it works), G&C supplements every day and theres a good chance you should do just fine.