Knee brace(s)

Just had my second consultation. You will all be relieved to hear that I have no major issues with my knees!

The consultant did mention that the hinged braces (like the Mueller and McDavid) are a waste of money and don't actually do anything. It's the placebo effect, you wear them on your knees and remind your brain that you have knee problems and therefore you take it (subconsciously?) easier. Braces like the Donjoy (i.e. £400+) are medically proven to stabilise the knees.

At the risk of sounding a div, what is wrong with knee braces such as Mueller?? i Was looking at the Hg80 :shock: just so you know, iv'e had knee issues for more than 10years,thanks to Football and skiing! I now have no acl in my right knee and the other one is not great. I was booked in for the op 2 years ago, but by then it was stable and i was fully mobile and the thought of 8 or more weeks of work as a S/E builder-carpenter didn't appeal, so i bottled it. Anyhow (touch wood) the knee is holding up nicley but the hindged brace i purchased about 8 years ago from a doctor in saint gervais (about £150) is a little tight and worn so i'm on the market for 1 poss 2 good knee braces (hindged) for skiing, to quote someone else "Many of the cheaper knee braces are a false economy - you are paying for a device that will offer your ACL no substantial support." Why's that then :?: , have never really thought or researched it too much,just always accepted that my knee's are shit!

Swell - the mechanical function of the knee, whilst on the face of it is a hinge joint, the reality it is far more complex. To deliver functional support that significantly supports your anterior cruciate is difficult. (Trying not to get too medical here) braces like the Donjoy grip the inside of the knee so that the hinges align themselves with the joint, grip the thigh and calf firmly enough to handle the stresses that get passed through them. They also have adjustable stops that prevent the knee from over extending.

There is verified medical research that shows the wearing of a functional brace (rather than a simple hinged support) reduces the risk of re-injury. That's rather different to manufacturers claims. the research was published in one of the major US sports medicine journals but didn't get a lot of notice in the orthopaedic world in the UK. I stumbled across it after my wife did her acl skiing (won me a wager with one of my partners who also works in an orthopaedic clinic who also claimed there was no evidence)

A lot of people with strong quads & hamstrings can cope without an ACL - I'm pretty sure Rory Underwood was playing for England without them. (Repairs were less common and less predictable back in those days). It depends on leg strength, knee structure and sex.

I didn't ski for 6 years until got ACL repaired. then restarted skiing, but felt need for some protection, my surgeon suggested: Bauerfeind, Softec Genu knee brace, comfortable with good support. Seriously considering getting one for my stronger leg. They are German company, they require leg measurements and your doctor or guess physio signature to say measurements correct and they send one to you. Did cost about 300 i think but worth every penny

Cheers Andy, Hadn't really researched it as much as i should have, but what you said is pretty conviencing for me. Best get saving, cause like Lisa says i might have to invest in one for my stronger leg too! What are other peoples thought's or reconmendations?? The Donjoy Armor?? have seen this discounted from the states! (sorry to hi-jack the thread by the way) )

The Donjoy ones are the ones I'm most familiar with and can recommend. I don't doubt there are others.
The stats suggest those who've ruptured the ACL on 1 knee are more likely than the average person to do the same on the other knee. (Obviously this is a bit individual - a relatively low trauma rupture suggests an inherent weakness - being hit above and below the knee by a couple of 18 stone flankers is probably more than any knee can take)

If one knee's gone without major trauma I'd go for a pair of braces.

I've had no knee problems, but am not a youngster. Would it be a sensible precaution to wear a brace "just in case" ?

I ruptured my right ACL playing football, and had reconstruction surgery on it last January.

Have booked a week in La Thuile this January - and have bought a Donjoy Playmaker brace for protection. The consultant said I probably wouldn't need one, but having read the same research as others on the risk of re-injury I decided to get one anyway for the peace of mind.

I got the brace here: Donjoy Playmaker - £145. Haven't used it in anger yet, but after wearing it for a couple of hours you don't really notice it any more and it definitely makes the knee feel a lot stronger and more resistant to rotation.

But - I would say that there is no replacement for good rehab training. Don't assume that a brace will protect you from anything! Do some searching around on the net for some exercises to do, particulary hamstrings and quads. I found some good exercises here and here.

Hopefully the combination of some good strengthening training and a functional brace will see me right next month!

Cheers
Tim