Knee Brace

What Macca says is very similar to the advice given by the sports physio I used in Chamonix post reconstruction. Neoprene braces can actually help proprioception but no brace will save you from an awkward fall. Undoubtedly lots of weights in the gym combined ski specific proprioception exercises is your greatest protection.

That said am sure if it happens again I will be reaching for the belts and braces approach.

Hi. Yes, valid points - my surgeon basically said that wearing a brace will actually remind me to take it easy as much as provide any support. I'm not expecting miracles and 100% do not expect this to save me from any skiing injury, if it can a small bit of the strain then great!

I'll try it with a boot before I go and also take a neoprene support as backup.

I might end up with nothing at all after a few days.....

Thanks for all of the comments, I don't think there is one answer as all injuries/issues are slightly different etc but nice to see some different opinions.....just need some snow in Obergurgl now (I'm not concerned BTW....!)

N

If it was a straightforward cartilage tear a brace is not likely to be a huge benefit but you'll benefit from doing the rehab exercises strengthening your quads and hamstrings to stabilise the knee.

Braces are of more use for ligament damage or instability - good functional braces like the Donjoy help to prevent the recurrence of ACL injuries after repair. (That's why the likes of Lindsey Vonn wear them, but they are uncomfortable - they have to be a tight fit to keep the hinge in the right place to allow the knee to function) They can be useful for those who have no functional ACL, stabilising the knee and by doing so reduce the chance of instability damage to the cartilage.

The Donjoy Armor knee brace is one of the best, its not cheap, but I guess you dont want a cheap solution on a doggy knee. This a blog I wrote about skiing with a knee brace. Sadly the ski show special offer has finished but a search on line might turn up a discounted offer. Good luck, I hope you find one that works for you.

https://www.skiline.co.uk/skiing-with-a-knee-brace