Any forumer's suffering with knee issues......

[Oddsocks]

Ok for me this is a sensitive subject. Even since I've caddied as a kid i have hated trolleys with a passion, but a reoccurring injury is making me consider using one, even though I really don't want to...... especially this time of year,

When I was 18 I broke my knee badly wrecking my cartridge, acl and pcl and pretty much every other internal part of the knee, it has been suggested on multiple occasions to consider a knee replacement but at the 33 I still think this is a bit of a premature thing to do... Maybe mid 40's

. Anyway, this year I've dropped around 2 stone in weight in order to get healthy, but my main reason was to ease the wear and tear on the knee, my theory in losing a few stone can only ease the pressure on the knee, but in recent weeks its really acting up, after about 9 holes it starts to burn/twinge and normally the day after golf it's pretty stiff... Ooh er. I carry a lightweight sun mountain bag which normally has the bar minimum in, so regarding this I don't think it's possible to make my bag weigh any less, so I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that it may now be time for a trolley, not because I need to, more a case of having to.

My question is do any forum members suffer with a similar problem and have they found going to a trolley helps, if it doesn't make a difference then it's pointless swapping across, but amu excess wear on the knee is just going to wear it out quicker than it already is so I think it's time to swallow the pride and get me a pram for me sticks...

 

[Phil2511]

I expect it will make some difference. Even a bare minimum must total 10-15kg. So that's 2 stone or more.

The less weight the less pressure the less strain.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Swallow your pride and get a trolley. Why make it harder for yourself just because of some mis-appropriated dislike of trolley's. Keep the carry bag in case of bans in wet weather but otherwise ease the burden. I'm sure you'll feel the benefit

 

[kid2]

Had a similar post last week OS......
Both of mine are giving me real hassle......I had 2 bad injuries just a little over 2 yrs apart....I had 2 full ruptures of the achilles tendon on both legs....
Being as stubborn as i am and wanting to get the strength back i decided to carry this year and while i much prefer it to a trolley im not sure my knees are thanking me for it....
I think my issue is being on the crutches for so long and add to that the 26 years of football and its a mix of everything i think....
Also in my Job i spend a lot of time kneeling being a panel beater and im having alot of trouble when i get up after 15 mins of kneeling...Im having to limp for a bit afterwards before they loosen up...

I wouldnt think that going to a trolley will help much.....I guess that it a degenerative condition that aint going to get any better....
I know after my other half bought me a trolley after the first injury i still had problems with the knee on my good leg....
Sorry if i aint any help thats just my story.

 

[User 105]

I had my ACL done about 10 years ago. obv, not quite a serious as your injury. Mine is almost as strong as it was before the surgery, I spend a lot of time in the gym so built up the muscle strength again to support the knee, so apart from a bit achy in the winter when it gets cold, carrying isn't an issue really.

I use a trolley sometimes, mainly for comps or if it's raining, not because of the knee.

Give the trolley a try, if the knee is bothering you it's got to be effecting your golf.

 

[Oddsocks]

It's interesting to hear a mix of opinions. Kid do you find it's worse in dam conditions?

I didn't notice much probs in the summer, but come winter I do wonder if the damp is making it worse..... It definitely feels it.

I hate trolleys for all matter of reasons, longer walk ways, restricted parts of the course, the damage they do, the having to go and find the clubs once you have found a stray ball, but I can't help but think the ego is causing quicker deterioration of the knee.

 

[lee_leggett]

Well having had ACL and ACL reconstruction on both knees at 28 some 4 years later I find I suffer pain in the winter and when it's cold out. I use an electric trolley in the winter, and I use a half set in the summer and with a pencil bag. I have lost weight as advised by my doc.
Using a trolley now days does not mean anything, young and old all use them. It's no longer seen as an old mans sport.

 

[GreiginFife]

At 23 I ruptured my ACL, MCL and tore the PCL. After 7 operations I still have problems today. There is no way I would, or could, carry a bag every round up and down hills etc. I had to swallow my pride that at 31 I had to put the carry bags away and rely on a trolley. It was obvious that if I carried on lugging a bag about I wouldnt be playing golf at all soon after.

If you dislike trolleys enough to accept that you WILL destroy the remainder of your knee, more power to you. My advice purely from experience, is swallow the pride and acknowledge that you need to do whats best for the long term benifit to your knee.

 

[chrisd]

I snapped my cruciate at 30 playing football and had to stop playing. 15 years of tennis later I had a knee reconstruction which was a new lease of life and I certainly would be reluctant to play without my GoKart electric trolley. Carrying is a chore too far, whether summer or winter, I can't see the benefit when it is certain to aggrevate an injury of the sort you have.

Go on Baz, embrace your septuaganarian self and have a chat with Sandy on Saturday about a trolley!

 

[patricks148]

Swallow your pride and get a trolley. Why make it harder for yourself just because of some mis-appropriated dislike of trolley's. Keep the carry bag in case of bans in wet weather but otherwise ease the burden. I'm sure you'll feel the benefit

Odd old boy, I've knee problems since 1995 when I got my right knee joint broken in 7 places. I use a trolley in the summer when I play a lot. I do carry in winter though , but only play a short course and then only once or twice a week at most. I have to take anti inflammatory drugs ever day.

Get a trolley you don't have use it all the time.

 

[fundy]

Yet another here who's had severe knee problems, kept me out of the game for many years. Last time I came back to playing after having it rebuilt I was told to use an electric trolley whenever I play and not to carry unless I have to. On the odd occasion its too wet in winter or a nice summers evening I take a pencil bag with 5 or 6 clubs in. Dont get the issue with using a trolley again, wish Id swallowed the macho bit that trolleys are only for old men many years earlier and I may not have had so many years out.

 

[Imurg]

More dodgy knees here!
Had 3 cartiledge ops on the right one and it really only plays up when I carry. As does my ankle that I shattered in '04.
Tried to carry at the start of this winter but they played up so the trolley is out again.
I could carry if I "had" to but if I don't, I won't.

 

[Oddsocks]

I snapped my cruciate at 30 playing football and had to stop playing. 15 years of tennis later I had a knee reconstruction which was a new lease of life and I certainly would be reluctant to play without my GoKart electric trolley. Carrying is a chore too far, whether summer or winter, I can't see the benefit when it is certain to aggrevate an injury of the sort you have.

Go on Baz, embrace your septuaganarian self and have a chat with Sandy on Saturday about a trolley!

I won't be going electric Chris, I honestly don't see the point. Got my eye on a pimp sun mountain trolley though :thup:

 

[Garush34]

I've dislocated me right knee twice and left once and the same problems uve described when playing. I got a trolley last year and when the weather was good I used it a lot and found it a great help. Fount I couple easily finish 18 holes without much discomfort. I'm bad wether I don't use it as I find its more hassle than need be. It just takes the strain off the knees and I feel I play better with the trolley.

 

[daymond]

So you've got crocked knees. The Doc. tells you to loose weight to give them a chance and then you walk round with a 20lb + carry bag? And you want to play for another 30/40 years!

 

[kid2]

It's interesting to hear a mix of opinions. Kid do you find it's worse in dam conditions?

I didn't notice much probs in the summer, but come winter I do wonder if the damp is making it worse..... It definitely feels it.

I hate trolleys for all matter of reasons, longer walk ways, restricted parts of the course, the damage they do, the having to go and find the clubs once you have found a stray ball, but I can't help but think the ego is causing quicker deterioration of the knee.

Much worse OS......But not from what i think you mean........Its actually the heavy ground conditions in winter that catch me.....A lot more mud and slippy surfaces......Decent shoes did help a little...
Im just sort of living with it now....I just hope that it doesn't get worse.

 

[kid2]

Just reading all the replies there OS.......One thing i missed in your OP.....Which knee is it and are you right or left handed?

 

[WideEyedFox]

I dislocated my right knee rock climbing about 5 years ago. Tore the ligaments, foot pointing to 5-oclock etc.
I now have to wear a double-hinged supportive knee brace whenever I do sport of any kind, even run around playing football with my kids.

I too have an "issue" with trolley's, but after suffering with a bad back as well will probably take the plunge and get a trolly. The recovery time and amount of ibuprofen and cocodamol I need to stay on my feet means I'm better off being sensible and manning up to the fact I shouldn't be carrying my clubs as often.

It's not my age, it's the mileage and irregular service intervals. :rofl:

 

[Hobbit]

Got a number of aches. I've been using an electric trolley for almost 7 yrs. Tried carrying a couple of times this year - bad idea.

Drop the ego, get a trolley. You'll notice the difference in the summer when you've got a couple of bottles of water and you're not having to carry them.

 

[JustOne]

I don't think all those years of spinning your heel out helped. Most things sore tend to ache more in the cold... don't know if you can strap it or get a heat pad but would imagine keeping it supple and taking cod liver oil or glucosamine might help. Nowt wrong with a trolley.... forget the knee... it saves the back!!