Re(2): SC - Cook's Knees

[Sue Wensel]

> L Herr-Gelatt and J R Gelatt wrote:
> > 
> > Hi all!
> > 
> > I had major knee surgery about 8 months ago and am coming up on my first
> > concrete-floor feast kitchen since the op. PLEEEEEEASE give me some hints
on
> > what to do to avoid cook's knees. I've got the excellent shoes bit down
pat
> > and am thinking of investing in some of those blue dense foam sleeping
mats
> > as floor mats. Does anyone, anywhere, have some good hints----Don't ask me
> > to cook sitting. My personality won't allow it.
> > 
> > Aoife
> 
Adamantius replied (edited for brevity):
> 
> Necessity 1) Really good shoes. They have arch support, HEEL support,
> and probably a steel toe. Knapp used to make a steel-toed, black leather
> "dress" sneaker that was ideal. Good traction (another essential), too!
> Many chefs wear a special clog with a stiff but jointed sole that
> provides excellent support, and has the advantage of being able to be
> kicked off, in the event of dousing them with boiling oil or other
> disasters. Unless you need to run in them, they may be the ideal kitchen
> shoe. (I can't afford them myself!)

I too have knee problems (and damaged nerves in the bottom of one foot) and
have searched high and low for solutions.  

In addition to the good shoes insert Dr. Scholl's Backguard (tm) insoles in
them.  They provide an extra pad at the heel which is designed to take the
strain of standing off your lower back.  It also helps cushion your knees and
feet. The team who developed them ought to be beatified.
 
> Necessity 2) Thick, padded socks, such as hikers and mountain climbers
> wear. You can get them in a sporting goods store. They have extra thick
> padded sections on the toe, the sole, and the heel. Pretty expensive,
> but 5 pairs saved my life when I was the man in white (and funny checked
> pants)...

Good idea, I didn't know they existed.
 
Other things I do:

1.  Grab a chair and rest your bad leg on it.  Try to make sure the seat of
the 
	chair is nearly knee high or you will really strain your hip.  If you can't 
	find a chair, grab a stool and put your feet on it.  Sometimes, I just 
	stand on my knees on the chair.
	
	Alternating resting your feet on a stool is recommended for everyone, not 
	just for those who have knee or back problems.

2.	Check with your local building supply stores for the rubberized 
	grease-resistant mats like factories use.  They resist getting slippery
	from grease and are designed for prolonged standing in one place.  You will
	need to clean them with very hot water -- I don't know how easily they
	clean.
	
3.	Walk around.  Go out to the feasting area periodically to check how things 
	are progressing.  Check out the nearby areas of the event.  Hook up with
	the autocrat to see if things are running on time.  Check with troll to
	see how attendance and on-board look.
	
4.	Don't forget your anti-inflammatories.  They can prevent the inflammation 
	that can cause continuing damage to joints.
	
5.	Ask someone else to carry that heavy box.

Does anyone know where you can get arch supports of an arch 5 inches long and
a little over an inch high.  Nothing I buy in the store is long or high
enough.

Derdriu
(whose last job involved keep an eye on the ergonomics of the time)

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