Total Joint Surgeon, Dr. Joe Martin, has a special interest and expertise in treating the hip and knee. He performs joint replacement and revision surgery of the hip and knee joints, and arthroscopic surgery for knee injuries.
Snow on the ground can be a good thing. Dr. Martin is an avid cross-country skier. He says the sport is a challenging calorie burner, yet low impact for knees and joints.
When did you start cross-country skiing?
I started skiing in med school in the 80s. We would rent skis from the university.
Later, it made for very inexpensive vacations at Minnesota fishing resorts.
What do you like best about the sport?
It’s great cardio, and very low impact on the joints, as long as you don’t fall too much.
I usually go for around an hour. It’s a great cure for cabin fever and it makes you look forward to snowstorms!
Tell us where your favorite places to ski are.
My favorite places have probably been the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, hut-to-hut in Maine, and Yellowstone Park.
Around here, I ski at Crow Creek Park and the local golf courses.
What is your dream cross-country run?
I would love to go to the Sierras around Yosemite someday.
What are the health benefits of cross-country skiing?
It’s great for your mental health during our long winters. It’s fun to get out with other skiers and it seems to be growing in popularity around here.
