Can Walking Poles Help with Knee Pain? The Definitive Guide to Joint-Saving Hiking
Yes, significantly. Walking poles reduce knee joint impact by up to 25% during descents by transferring weight from your legs to your upper body. This spares your patellofemoral joint from cumulative stress that aggravates arthritis and tendonitis. For best results, lengthen poles downhill to act as brakes, use wrist straps correctly to bear weight through your arms, and choose carbon fiber for vibration dampening. Poles do not cure knee pain, but they make hiking possible, longer, and safer for millions with joint concerns.

