By Tiffany Tam, MD, and Ann Backus, MS, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
For many Maine lobstermen, the Gulf of Maine is more than just a work environment. It’s a way of life. But the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the strenuousness of lobstering place significant demands on the human body, especially the knees.
Standing all day on a slippery, rocking deck while hauling traps may seem like second nature to lobstermen. However, the knees are actually working overtime to maintain balance and stability, even more so in rough seas.
Consider a typical day on a lobster boat. You are already at sea by sunrise, checking traps. The ocean is constantly in motion. As the deck pitches and rolls with the waves, your knees act as shock absorbers, adjusting constantly to keep you upright. Lobstermen’s work involves more than just standing. Hauling traps may require bracing your knees on the rail and kicking wet rope off to the side as it accumulates on the deck, adding a torquing motion and force to the knee. These actions may seem small but the strain on the knee adds up, increasing the risk of knee injury.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), repeated strain on the knee—especially from standing and adjusting to an unstable surface—can lead to overuse injuries. Conditions include patellofemoral pain syndrome, where pain is felt around the kneecap, and tendinitis, which involves inflammation of the tendons. These injuries of the knee occur when the muscles, tendons, or joints are overworked without enough time to recover. When the knee is constantly in motion without rest, the cartilage that cushions the bones can wear down.
More acutely, sudden shifts on a rocking deck, especially when it is wet and slippery, can result in a meniscus tear or ligament injury. The meniscus cushions the space between the bones of the lower and upper leg and distributes weight evenly across the knee joint. Ligaments connect bone to bone, or cartilage to bone. A tear in either a meniscus or a ligament is very painful and can require medical or surgical intervention. The direct pressure of the knees against the rail when hauling traps can result in bursitis, a swelling of the fluid sac cushioning the knee joint.
While the sea may be unpredictable, there are steps lobstermen can take to help protect their knees. Here are some simple strategies you can use to prevent knee injuries:
Stretch and strengthen your knees: Before a day on the water, take time to warm up and stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. Stretch after returning to the wharf, too. At home, perform squats and lunges to strengthen muscles around the knee.
Wear proper footwear: Non-slip boots with good arch support and shock absorption can reduce the risk of slipping and better cushion each step to prevent knee pain.
Move mindfully: Avoid repetitive, forceful movements when possible. Consider shifting weight from one leg to the other when bracing against the rail.
Take rest breaks: Give your knees a chance to rest when possible, even for a few minutes. Find a lobster trap or rail to sit on safely.
Use protective equipment: Consider a knee brace or knee pads for extra stability and protection during heavy-duty work.
For the lobster boat, knee protection recommendations include installing a rope locker or rope bin to avoid having to kick rope out of the way and adding an anti-slip mat with beveled edges near the hauler and along the rail. Some fishermen have cut away a semi-circle in the rail where they stand to haul, which provides a stabilizing curve for the body and reduces the reach to the davit.
Finally, if you have knee pain that is severe, are unable to move the knee, the knee gives out while walking, or you have knee pain that is not getting better with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compress, elevate) please seek medical attention.
As you head out to sea this winter season, remember that your knees work hard for you. Strengthen and protect them now for the future.
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