Anyone have osteoarthritis in knees and still ski?

[deuxgarcons]

I used to love skiing but since getting osteoarthritis in my knees I have lost confidence and worry it's going to be too difficult. Does anyone else have this and still ski. I have knee supports that I will wear and will take painkillers if I need them. Would love any other advice.

Have a look on snowheads forum - loads of older posters and I’m sure this has been posted about. The answer is definitely yes 😊

A search on Snowheads will quickly bring up information about the Ski-mojo, which is a sort of wearable framework that stabilises the knee when skiing. I know two people who use them, and both would certainly no longer be skiing if this was not a solution to their knee problems. I don't know enough about osteoarthritis to say whether or not it is a solution for you, but a sports physiotherapist would probably be able to advise.

I’ve had 2 knee ops and a hip replacement, and I’m a skiing addict. I’m 52 and not especially fit, but managed c50km a day on last holiday. My knees are feeling it. I find blacks quite tough but no issues skiing a full day if mainly blues/reds.
I guess everyone is different. See what your Dr/physio says and do what you’re comfortable with.

Was also going to suggest a mojo - not tried one but they do look fab! www.ski-mojo.ski/en/

There's a snowboard thread running on Snowheads at the moment, talking about how many boarders have switched from skiing once their knees started to go. Side benefits of being a snowboarder.

Got my attention. I've never wanted to board, but after popping my knee on an icy red at Christmas, I'm interested to hear more about this knee saving sport.

I am in Val D'Isere and just bought Ski Mojos. Can honestly say they are knee saving!

Ski mojos and sadly less powder skiing but otherwise all the joy! I was told by my surgeon that the pain would do no more damage to my knees so I just enjoy the skiing.

I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis in my knees and was skiing powder in France week before last. I load up on painkillers but to be honest, I don’t find it to be any more painful than the other exercise I do - which is a lot of weightlifting and cross-training. The only thing I can’t do these days is run. I don’t use supports of any kind but only because I can’t get them to fit comfortably and I find that I worry about constricted movements.
Go for it OP, you won’t make your arthritis worse and you get the physical and mental benefits of being out in the glorious mountain environment.

Thanks everyone for all your comments. I went skiing and all seemed to be fine. Not too much pain. I think for me it's having confidence in my knees so I just went for it. So happy I can keep going for a while yet.