In addition to the joy and fun festivities the holidays bring, they also often involve long hours traveling in cars, planes, and on trains. For anyone dealing with knee pain, that can make travel incredibly challenging.
Prolonged sitting, cramped leg space, and changes in activity levels can all aggravate stiff or inflamed joints. At Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., in Hood River and The Dalles, Oregon, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Gregory Stanley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, knows that knee pain doesn’t take a holiday.
If you’re dealing with knee pain from overuse, arthritis, or a past injury, having a plan before holiday travel can make a difference between an enjoyable trip and a painful one.
Before hitting the road or boarding your flight, take a few steps to prepare your body. If you’re driving, plan regular stops every one to two hours to stretch and walk for a few minutes.
Regardless of fitness level, prolonged periods of sitting can decrease circulation and cause joint stiffness, especially for those with arthritis or knee injuries, a reality for people 50 and older.
If you’re flying, book an aisle seat so you can easily stand and move around every hour. Evidence shows that even brief periods of light movement, such as gentle ankle circles or straightening your legs while seated, can improve blood flow.
Lifting or twisting awkwardly while handling suitcases can stress your joints and trigger pain. Whenever possible, choose rolling luggage with four wheels and push it instead of pulling. Distribute weight evenly between bags, and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when lifting.
Dr. Stanley often reminds patients that joint protection starts with simple mechanics, such as proper posture, bending at the hips and knees instead of the back, and avoiding sudden, jerky movements. Little adjustments in how you carry and handle your luggage can spare your knees unnecessary stress.
If you’re worried that long travel days will ignite or worsen knee pain, discussing joint injections with Dr. Stanley ahead of time can be a smart strategy. Corticosteroid shots reduce inflammation rapidly for many patients.
It’s typical to notice improvement within 3–7 days, and relief typically lasts a few weeks up to a couple of months. This improvement makes corticosteroid injections an option for patients needing symptom control right before holiday travel.
Platelet-rich plasma uses your own concentrated platelets to deliver growth factors to the joint. Unlike corticosteroids, PRP commonly takes a few weeks to show improvements, but the results can last 6–12 months.
If you plan on getting a jumpstart on managing your knee pain before the holidays, Dr. Stanley can discuss this option and let you know if it’s appropriate for your situation.
It can take a few weeks to start noticing improvements in pain, so plan injections well in advance of holiday travel (at least three weeks).
If knee pain persists or worsens after your trip, don’t ignore it. Ongoing pain, swelling, or a catching sensation in the joint could signal an underlying issue, such as meniscus damage or early arthritis.
At Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, Dr. Stanley uses advanced diagnostic tools, including on-site ultrasound and imaging, to pinpoint the issue and design a personalized treatment plan.
A little preparation can go a long way toward preventing knee pain from dampening your holiday spirit. With the right strategies and support from a skilled orthopedic team, you can travel comfortably and focus on what matters most.
Contact us to schedule a visit today and discuss managing your knee pain before the holidays, so that you’re covered long after.
