The day I realized my knees were not bulletproof

I thought sore knees were just part of the job, and everyone I worked with had the same issues. We would joke about it over beers after work. Then I hit my forties and the pain got real. Bending down to tack a strip became agony. I finally went to a doctor who said I needed to work differently. Now, I start with light stretches and have a kneeling pad. I also take more breaks to stand up and walk around. It has saved my career and my sanity.

3 comments

3 Comments

parkerkim3mo ago

Ignore your knees at your own peril. Mine staged a full revolt after years of abuse. I now negotiate with them before getting out of bed.

aaron3842mo ago

Knees are tough but they're not the boss of you. My old man worked construction for 40 years and always said you gotta keep moving, pads and heat just let you ignore the problem. Stretching and building up the muscles around them made a bigger difference for me than any gear. Letting them call all the shots sounds like a fast track to being stuck in the chair.

evannelson3mo ago

Ugh, the kneeling pad is a total game changer, right? I keep a cheap heating pad in my toolbox too, for when they really start complaining.