Knee brace(s)

Just wondered if anyone (here) use them when they ski.

I've been told that my left leg cruciate and my right leg medial are both starting to show weakness and my physio recommended that I wear a knee brace for skiing. Nothing fancy like the Donjoy but just a hinged/supportive brace like a McDavid or Mueller. I've been reading up on this on other ski (snow-heads) and sports injury forums and the general consensus is that they don't actually do much apart from give that mental support.

Coop wrote:Just wondered if anyone (here) use them when they ski.

I've been told that my left leg cruciate and my right leg medial are both starting to show weakness and my physio recommended that I wear a knee brace for skiing. Nothing fancy like the Donjoy but just a hinged/supportive brace like a McDavid or Mueller. I've been reading up on this on other ski (snow-heads) and sports injury forums and the general consensus is that they don't actually do much apart from give that mental support.

Proper braces work properly. My OH has a missing ACL and uses a CTi Edge supplied by the NHS (years ago) and ordered by his consultant. As you've been assessed and had a support recommended, your Physio can order the best one for your needs. Quite a lot consist of compression and little else.
My Orthopaedic Consultant told me to use a Patella Braced support a couple of years ago. I have Arthritis in 1 knee.
Along with using the support I have to do lots of strengthening of the muscles around the knee. I use a Proline with stays and straps for skiing, and a Bauerfiend Genutrain for hiking. I'm not sure that mental support is anywhere on the agenda in our household, it may be true for others though.

If your ACL is shot then I would opt for something like a Donjoy (They do short braces that you can wear with ski boots)

Many of the cheaper knee braces are a false economy - you are paying for a device that will offer your ACL no substantial support.

You don't have to pay a fortune for simple knee problems such as patella maltracking or arthritis but for cruciates it's another matter.

I wear a Donjoy brace for skiing since my cruicate ligament was reconstructed 2 years ago after tearing it on a learn to ski holiday on the second day, i find it does a brilliant job and would not risk not wearing it, on my good leg i also use a proskin hinged brace as i found that after a days skiing my knee was swelling up. When 1 first put them on I always feel that there is no way i can ski in them - but after the 1st run i am not aware of them, maybe it is a mental thing but i do not want to go though a reconstruction again - it messes up your ski plans :wink:

There is some good research evidence from the US that suggests wearing a functional knee brace reduces the chances of repeat injury by 30% (or thereabouts) so it's not a mental thing!

They can be bought cheaper in the USA but the exchange rate is less favourable than when I bought a pair for my wife from http://www.braceshop.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=42&idproduct=476.

However if you do buy them on line make sure you measure accurately and make sure the documentation indicates "medical appliance" or you'll get stung for VAT. (Medical devices should be VAT exempt)

Yeh, I've been doing quite a lot of reading since my initial post and there does seem to be some medical evidence to suggest that they provide some support.

I only require support for mild ligament instability so the Donjoy is overkill for my needs. Back to the research!

You'll get what you need at Physioroom.com, had loads of stuff from there in the past when I played football regularly.

Good info helping you make the right choice of product for your injury, should get what you need for about £40 not "£100's".

Having had surgery on my right medial my physio sold me a brace to ski in. I have found it excellent for stabilising my knee with a patella support plus double metal strips down each side and wide velcro bands top and bottom. Once I start to ski I don't notice I'm wearing it. It's from Physio-Med Services Ltd, Glossop, Derbyshire. Hope this helps.