Knee Brace

Hi!

I had 20% of my meniscus removed in my left knee in August and whilst my surgeon says I'll be fine for skiing he has recommended need a knee brace.......

So, are there any super brilliant recommendations - I want something a bit more solid than the standard sports shop neoprene?

My surgeon just said a generic brace but I want to be sure that I get something substantial.

Cheers
N

I have not had an operation but have week knees. I'm not an expert but I would but a good quality hinged one. It needs to have a good range of movement so you can ski ,but strong enough to be able to prevent a twist. I tried to buy on line as I found it difficult to find a local shop that sells anything half decent, but having sent 4 back decided to drive to a decent shop. It is possible to get them fitted it it's possible for you that would be my first choice. If not visit a shop where you can try them on. Hope this helps. Andy

Hi. It does help, thanks.

After writing my post it occurred to me that I still have my post op knee brace - it's a Donjoy hinged brace which I had discounted but I've done some research and they also market the brace for skiing support!!

It's a great piece of kit but cost around £400 (I was lucky to get it via my work health plan)....I'll report back at the end of January!

N

Damaged a ligament or two in 2012 (gardening !!) and used a brace.
After a bit of fiddling I settled on a McDavid metal hinged brace which has worked well.
What I found on my first ski day was that my left knee (the injured one) was absolutely fine but my right knee was aching like mad - probably some compensation I suppose.
Since then I have worn two knee braces while skiing and things have been fine.
I use a company called FirstAid4Sport because their help (and the boss) are first class.

Just had a quick look and fundamentally the McDavid look similar to the Donjoy......I know what you mean about compensation, after my operation my right knee was a nightmare as I was putting everything through it!! Luckily just about balanced everything out now.

N

I have two Don Joy Defiant braces. Made to measure and shorter to compensate for ski boots. I feel like Wonder Woman on a steep pitches. Definitely a Don Joy fan....... So yes, they are rather expensive. Luckily my insurance pays 80%. However, if I had to pay full price, I would rather cut out some other luxuries than stop skiing. "Skiing is life"!

There is definitely a lot more acceptance of the usefulness of knee braces now. Notably from the US ski team who have go from non believers to Don Joy sponsoring Lindsey Vonn. Guess that says it all, if you can afford and feel need Don Joy is probably the way to go.

I'm 51 years old and have skied since I was 11. Since 1996 I have not missed a single skiing season.

I had cartilage op and an ACL reconstruction in 1994 - the ACL ruptured some time later - I didn't know it had happened but it was picked up on an arthroscopy when I tore my cartilage again in 2002 [not while skiing].

I had the ACL done again in 2002 - that ruptured a some time later [again, not while skiing and was picked up on a later arthroscopy following another cartilage tear]. I was offered a 3rd ACL reconstruction but said no!

In all I had 4 separate cartilage ops between 1994 and 2006 [not as a result of skiing related injuries].

I had a fall in 2013 and tore my cartilage again [the only skiing related injury I have had] - another op!

Oh, and this was all on the same knee.

From 1996 for a few seasons I skied with a Donjoy hinged knee brace but gave up on it as it was too bulky and my consultant said it was only really suitable while I was rehabing the knee - the only help it really gave me was psychological.

I then skied for a few seasons with no support whatsoever - no problems at all.

From 2007 onwards I have worn a Vulkan neoprene knee support - no hinges, no gimmicks etc, etc, etc.

For what its worth, I don't believe the big, bulky, expensive braces with hinges and all sorts of mechanics really serve any purpose if you're skiing or boarding. If you fall awkwardly you're going to hurt yourself. End of.

The only reason I wear the Vulkan support now is it keeps my knee warm and I guess it serves as a reminder to me not to SBA [ski beyond ability].

With the benefit of hindsight I would never have had the ACL reconstructions as they didn't work and for most of the time I didn't even know they weren't functioning.

I had no choice about the cartilage operations - they had to be done.

I think the best you can do is work hard to build up the strength in your legs and make sure you don't SBA. Wear a support if it makes you feel good but in my experience it won't make a blind bit of difference if you have a bad fall.

I must stress that this is my own personal experience and I'm not an orthopaedic surgeon but they are my knees and I know what worked for me.

All the best........