Knee damage from concrete finishing is my biggest regret

I've been finishing concrete for over ten years, and my knees are killing me. Each morning, I wake up stiff and sore. Last week, I could barely stand after a big pour. The doctor says it's early arthritis from all the kneeling. I tried knee pads, but they slide when I move quick. It's getting so bad I hate heading to the project. What do other finishers do to protect their knees?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_ward501mo ago

Switch to knee pads with full wraparound straps, not just the sleeve kind. Those things stay put when you move fast, I learned the hard way lol. Also, get the ones with thick gel padding, it takes the edge off the concrete. Some guys I know use kneeling mats for big pours, saves your knees between moves. You gotta protect your joints now, or you'll pay for it later, trust me. It's worth spending a bit more on good gear if it lets you keep working.

karen16527d ago

Listen to reese_ward50 about the straps, because sliding knee pads are just a sad trip to the floor waiting to happen. That gel padding he mentioned is the real difference between being sore and being wrecked after a long day. You really don't want to learn that lesson the hard way.

zara5121mo ago

Interlocking foam tiles saved my knees on last month's garage floor job, they create a full kneeling surface so you're never on bare concrete. Pair them with those strap-on pads for moving spots quickly.