[Fast 1 *]

People harp on about continuous ladder work does your knees in. Is this true?Are their any windowcleaners that have suffered leg problems because of ladders?  Surely it keeps your legs stronger,and more muscular which in turn must help your bones? I suffer from arthritis(mild at the moment)in the knees(im only 34) any advice appreciated.

[Roy Harding]

Yes it does your knees.

Been climing ladders 22yrs and I know quite a few long term window cleanners of 20yrs+ that have same problem and some have had to give up.

Roy

[Fast 1 *]

In what way does it do your knees in?

[windows_chepstow]

In what way does it do your knees in?

Wear and Tear I guess.  Some people are lucky and don't get repetitive stress injuries; others aren't so fortunate.

If you've got arthritis in your knees, maybe a change to WFP could be appropriate? 

[Roy Harding]

The knee joints wears out and it becomes painfull to step up every rung.

Roy

[Fast 1 *]

mmm.To be honest,i didnt want to go down the wfp route.But if things did get that bad,i probably would consider it.

[WavieDavie]

People harp on about continuous ladder work does your knees in. Is this true?Are their any windowcleaners that have suffered leg problems because of ladders?  Surely it keeps your legs stronger,and more muscular which in turn must help your bones? I suffer from arthritis(mild at the moment)in the knees(im only 34) any advice appreciated.

It certainly improves the muscle tone, but consider the wear and tear on your knees compared to someone who doesn't run up and down ladders all day. 

I've been using ChondroMax http://www.healthspan.co.uk/shop/products.aspx?cat=GLUCOS for some time, and I definitely know if I've missed a few.

If you're suffering from arthritis just now, I'd advise you to discuss matters with a health professional.

[Fast 1 *]

cheers mate

[Roy Harding]

mmm.To be honest,i didnt want to go down the wfp route.But if things did get that bad,i probably would consider it.

If you do go wfp you will kick your self for not doing so years ago. I know 3 cleanners with long term experence, who have all said the only regret is they should have done it when it first came out.

Roy

[Jeff Brimble]

Knees and ....arches ...under your feet. Try a pair of good Boots.

[Fast 1 *]

mmm.To be honest,i didnt want to go down the wfp route.But if things did get that bad,i probably would consider it.

If you do go wfp you will kick your self for not doing so years ago. I know 3 cleanners with long term experence, who have all said the only regret is they should have done it when it first came out.

Roy

I dont doubt it roy.But every time i read a thread about lost customers it puts me off.Also,i like to keep things simple.Dont get me wrong,im not ruling it out,im just a bit unsure about it.

[Roy Harding]

Fast one

I had done 18yrs with the squeegee and also had questions.

But best move ever, so if you go that route a lot on the forum will help.


Roy

[Fast 1 *]

One day,it will happen.Plus i want to earn more money.

[Pat Purcell]

In the past 5 yrs I have had both ACLs replaced(too old to play football too stupid to stop) and the surgeon who replaced them told me that climbing ladders would be an excellent way to rehab once I was able , he did say that standing on a ladder for a prolonged period may not be so good

[Jeff Brimble]

Pat, whats an ACL ?

[WavieDavie]

Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

I think that's the one that goes through the knee - very sore if it's damaged and takes ages to get back to normal.

[AuRavelling79]

Also overweight = hurting knees too. I was 16 stones when I started w/c and when I finished ladder work was down to 13stones. Knees felt much better.

Now on pole - knees fine (but other aches and pains instead )

[Pat Purcell]

What" Wavie "said, Anterior Cruciate Ligament,
Hurts like hell when you do it swells up like a b$$$$$d but gets easier to deal with quickly, Once youve had the op about 8 weeks recovery and off you go

[Pj]

Trevor Knight as a ref of some sort will surely know about Cruciate Ligament damage.
Very common in footballers.  If you damage that lateral ligament you will probably have permanent damage, with operations needed in the future, you are gonna need an op!  If you don't you will suffer.


Anyway, yes, after 10 - 15 years climbing ladders, I started getting bad knees and feet.
It is significant that I started w/c at 32, so not a teenager, I was average fitness for a 32 year old, doing ladders and all the dangerous trick with them, and by about 45 getting problems with knees and feet that I could not ignore.  I tried everything, so don't tell me.

I don't want to turn this into the usual wfp/trad but, if it wasn't for wfp I would be doing bungalows only.  Ladders had finished me.

My advice, if you are young...If you want to stay on ladders thats ok, but you better do some serious extra regular training for fitness, because those knees are not designed to be tensed up a ladder all day, 5 days a week for long.

[KJG]

The only knee problems I've had have been caused by years of kneeling on desks/work benches etc. Can no longer do the missus woof woof style either