8
Just hit my 500th stair set install and I'm feeling the wear
I knocked out 500 stair sets over the last two years in the Denver area and my right knee is starting to pop every time I bend it. The number surprised me because I never kept count before but now I'm wondering if I've been leaning too heavy on that knee kicker. Has anyone else hit a milestone like this and noticed their body giving them signals?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
michaelgrant1mo ago
Dang that's a wild number. Do you think the popping is more from the kicker action or from hauling stringers and material around all day?
7
Whoa, that's a serious number of stair sets, man. I actually read something from a local installer's blog last month where he said your knee kicker can really mess you up if you don't switch up your stance every so often - like alternating which leg you use for the power stroke. The popping thing sounds like it could be from overworking that same joint over and over, which is kinda scary when you think about it. Might be worth checking out some of those new ergonomic kickers too, I heard they have a different angle that takes some pressure off your knee. Definitely listen to your body on this one, 500 sets is nothing to sneeze at.
-2
the_anthony1mo ago
Had a similar thing happen to me a few years back on a big hotel job outside of Nashville. I was doing around 40 sets a week for three months straight and my left knee started popping like crazy around week 6. @wade250 is right about switching your stance, I started forcing myself to lead with my right leg on every third set and it made a surprising difference. The ergonomic kicker I tried had this weird offset plate that let me use more hip and less knee. Honestly the popping didn't fully stop until I strapped on one of those neoprene compression sleeves mid day. Not pretty but it kept me working.
8