Awol
03-19-2009, 09:22 PM
Aside from blisters, lyme disease, or accident-induced injuries (sprained ankles), what are some of the ailments that can end a thru-hike?
This topic may branch this off into different threads, but for now consider it somewhat open - just throw out anything you've experienced or heard about.
I started this because I want to mention three conditions that I think every prospective thru-hiker should know about before starting. They are common, and to some degree they are preventable and self-treatable.
1) Illiotibial Band Friction Syndrome (I.T. Band) - Possibly the majority of hkers are going to experience sore knees, because carrying a load up and down hills for many miles is a bit out of the norm. One of the most common is IT Band friction, so you should know how to identify it. It will be on the outer part of your knee, and probably more troublesome going downhill.
2) Shin Splints - Put your hand over your shin and flex your foot up & down. You'll feel a muscle move alongside your shin-bone. Soreness in that muscle is shin splints.
3) Plantar Fasciitis - is foot pain near the heel , radiating into the arch of the foot. It's worst before you get warmed up.
This topic may branch this off into different threads, but for now consider it somewhat open - just throw out anything you've experienced or heard about.
I started this because I want to mention three conditions that I think every prospective thru-hiker should know about before starting. They are common, and to some degree they are preventable and self-treatable.
1) Illiotibial Band Friction Syndrome (I.T. Band) - Possibly the majority of hkers are going to experience sore knees, because carrying a load up and down hills for many miles is a bit out of the norm. One of the most common is IT Band friction, so you should know how to identify it. It will be on the outer part of your knee, and probably more troublesome going downhill.
2) Shin Splints - Put your hand over your shin and flex your foot up & down. You'll feel a muscle move alongside your shin-bone. Soreness in that muscle is shin splints.
3) Plantar Fasciitis - is foot pain near the heel , radiating into the arch of the foot. It's worst before you get warmed up.