Latest posts for the topic "Knee brace(s)"

Knee brace(s)

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 13:30:54 GMT

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.

Knee brace(s)

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 16:04:53 GMT

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.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 17:32:34 GMT

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.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:06:13 GMT

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:

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:53:41 GMT

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)

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:52:56 GMT

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!

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:20:47 GMT

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 GBP40 not "GBP100's".

Re:Knee brace(s)

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:27:30 GMT

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.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 10:31:08 GMT

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. GBP400+) are medically proven to stabilise the knees.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 22:05:57 GMT

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 GBP150) 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!

Re:Knee brace(s)

Thu, 9 Dec 2010 08:31:09 GMT

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.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 11:37:21 GMT

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

Re:Knee brace(s)

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:41:18 GMT

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) )

Re:Knee brace(s)

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:50:36 GMT

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.

Re:Knee brace(s)

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:51:41 GMT

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

Re:Knee brace(s)

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:50:01 GMT

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 - GBP145. 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

Re:Knee brace(s)

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:40:19 GMT

If anyone is interested...

I'm back from La Thuile, and the knee held up fine. I don't know whether the knee brace is the reason, but it was worth it for peace of mind and confidence alone!

Cheers
Tim