I can't get on with the knee pads with straps either. Whichever way you start, the straps seem to migrate to join forces behind the knee and bunch up your trousers at the same time.
Hi, I'm a product design university student and I am trying to tackle this area for my final year project. I was wondering if you give me some feedback on a few ideas.
1. A mechanism that would help you kneel. i.e. IF the user were to start to kneel, a mechanism would support the descent to the kneeling position so it strains the joints less.
2. Thicker padding. Perhaps in a yoga ball style but appropriate for the knees so that there is more give for the user.
3. Legs on the aid that spread out the weight of the user so that balance issues are prevented.
If you have any other issues or suggestions, please let me know. Thank you very much
I think you would do well to find a local organisation that has older volunteers or patients working in their garden - RHS, National Trust, Care homes etc - and spend a day observing how they work and asking questions.
For many people, getting down isn't the main problem. It's getting up again that's hard.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks for the response. I have spoken to a physiotherapist so I have some information to go off of there. Glad to know any useful products will be appreciated and are needed
For me, although getting up and down is awkward, the real problem is weight bearing on the knees. I have some really good knee pads but even with those I can only kneel for about 10 minutes at a time maximum. I've got problems with wear to the back of the kneecaps and have had surgery to realign them. Kneeling without pads is like kneeling on pebbles.
Thank you so much for raising this issue. I, like so many of you, have O.A in one knee and have recently found it increasingly difficult getting up and down. I have always gardened on my knees and this is going to be my first year when I don't think I will be physically able to 'get stuck in' and I must say it is sad for me. I have never quite mastered hoeing ( I guess I am not doing properly)
This is going to be a new challenge as I am having to make changes in other areas such as replacing heavy pots with plastic ones etc.and generally trying to make a low maintenance garden. These are all signs for me of getting older unfortunately and having to learn to adapt which as I am sure you will agree is not easy when you have always been independent and not good at asking for help. Well onwards and upwards as they say.
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Sorry Redwing but Brenda and I will now have the image of you as "OOR WILLIE"
tee hee. I too thought of Oor Wullie.
I can't get on with the knee pads with straps either. Whichever way you start, the straps seem to migrate to join forces behind the knee and bunch up your trousers at the same time.
Hahaha!
Hi, I'm a product design university student and I am trying to tackle this area for my final year project. I was wondering if you give me some feedback on a few ideas.
1. A mechanism that would help you kneel. i.e. IF the user were to start to kneel, a mechanism would support the descent to the kneeling position so it strains the joints less.
2. Thicker padding. Perhaps in a yoga ball style but appropriate for the knees so that there is more give for the user.
3. Legs on the aid that spread out the weight of the user so that balance issues are prevented.
If you have any other issues or suggestions, please let me know. Thank you very much
I think you would do well to find a local organisation that has older volunteers or patients working in their garden - RHS, National Trust, Care homes etc - and spend a day observing how they work and asking questions.
For many people, getting down isn't the main problem. It's getting up again that's hard.
That's a really good suggestion Obelixx
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Doubling the width of a typical garden kneeler/stool (with handles) would provide improved balance.
Speaking from experience.
Thanks for the response. I have spoken to a physiotherapist so I have some information to go off of there. Glad to know any useful products will be appreciated and are needed
For me, although getting up and down is awkward, the real problem is weight bearing on the knees. I have some really good knee pads but even with those I can only kneel for about 10 minutes at a time maximum. I've got problems with wear to the back of the kneecaps and have had surgery to realign them. Kneeling without pads is like kneeling on pebbles.
Thank you so much for raising this issue. I, like so many of you, have O.A in one knee and have recently found it increasingly difficult getting up and down. I have always gardened on my knees and this is going to be my first year when I don't think I will be physically able to 'get stuck in' and I must say it is sad for me. I have never quite mastered hoeing ( I guess I am not doing properly)
This is going to be a new challenge as I am having to make changes in other areas such as replacing heavy pots with plastic ones etc.and generally trying to make a low maintenance garden. These are all signs for me of getting older unfortunately and having to learn to adapt which as I am sure you will agree is not easy when you have always been independent and not good at asking for help. Well onwards and upwards as they say.