How to Hike With a Torn Cartilage
Being caught in backcountry with a debilitating injury is a nasty proposition. Hikers must diagnose and treat their ailments and make their best efforts to get out and seek medical attention. A common hiking injury is torn cartilage (especially in the knee and ankle area). Although it's inadvisable to do long-term trekking on torn cartilage, often hikers find themselves at the mercy of their environment. Before making any long hikes on torn cartilage, be sure to take the necessary precautions.
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Instructions
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How to Hike With a Torn Cartilage
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Try to diagnose the problem as torn cartilage. Knee and ankle sprains may not necessarily be torn cartilage. If the knee is locked (either in a bent or straight position), cartilage damage is almost always the cause.
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Assess the environment and your supplies. If you are deep in the backcountry with minimal food and water, you'll most likely need to splint the leg and hike out on your own.
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Ice the injury. If no ice is available, try to soak the injury in a stream (with cool water). Take 400 mg of ibuprofen every four hours to minimize swelling and pain.
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Attempt to unlock the knee if it is locked. Sitting on a raised object (table, rock, etc.), rotate the knee in an inward and outward fashion. You may want to double the dose of ibuprofen before trying this--it will cause pain.
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Splint the leg. Using the pad and medical tape, wrap the leg from thigh to ankle. Cut out a hole for the knee. Tape the cylinder around the leg so that it's snug but not impeding circulation.
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Rest for at least 24 hours. Continue the ibuprofen regimen. Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water, and consult your maps and guidebooks for bail-out options.
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Formulate a plan of exit from the wilderness before falling asleep. Find the easiest (in terms of elevation, terrain and mileage) route to the closest road. Once at the road, you'll be able to flag down a car for help. You do not want to risk further injury by continuing on a backpacking or hiking trip.
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Walk slowly and deliberately when executing your escape route. Take caution when navigating on treacherous terrain, through streams and especially when walking downhill. If you have a hiking partner, make sure he or she is with you and, if possible, physically supporting you.
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Use poles or walking sticks when hiking on the injured cartilage. This will reduce the shock and stress placed on the joint.
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Tips & Warnings
It's best to read up on wilderness medicine before taking an extensive backpacking or hiking trip. Always take a first-aid kit when you will be in backcountry.
Always seek medical attention for cartilage damage. You'll risk serious injury by paying no attention to pain and discomfort. Exit the wilderness as soon as possible after a cartilage injury.
