Anyone know of a good knee brace?

[Becka]

Hey, just wondering if any one knows of a good flexible knee brace to use during a cardio workout. Any suggestions? Is tape and foam better? I find that I am always pulling up my knee brace during my runs. And it isn't very flexible.
Thanks

[Kaiser]

Why are you wearing the brace? That would be the first question because long term use may actually be hindering you instead of helping (one of the rare instances I can think of where a brace would be useful is for patellar tracking).

Depending on what you are using it for, tape and an ACE bandage would generally provide a snugger and more supportive fit (although it would be costlier than a good brace).

[Becka]

I tore my ACL a few years ago and still have trouble with my knee. Mostly during cardio workout, my knee wants to "give out" some times, and during lunges. The knee brace I have now is a Mueller with side support braces. Most of the time it is uncomfortable/hurts, and it always seems to slip more of a pain then anything! I hardly wear it and my trainer is always telling me to wear it, so I don't know what to do. I also have a slip on ace brace but it doesn't do anything lol. What do you think?
Thank You for replying.

[BjsAust]

Work on your surrounding muscles, build your legs up.

Hmm, you say you tore your ACL, did you ever git it reconstructed? I guess theres a big difference between what you'd do if its still bad and if its been fixed but not fully recovered yet.

[Becka]

Hey Ben!
Ya I had surgery on it years ago, I have really strong legs it just causes me pain now and then. I have recovered though. No more physio.

Thanks

[BjsAust]

Hmmm, strange that your knee feels like it wants to "give out" at times. Does it actually give out, or just feel like it might? Unless theres still lingering damage it should basically be as right now as it was before. It might be worthwhile going back to a sports medicine doctor or something and getting it checked out again.

I dont have any good advice on braces [img]tongue.gif[/img] , I used a basic elastic type one with some spring type stuff down the sides after I did my ACL just from the local chemist which helped a lot, but after surgery I never needed any extra support.

I just feel like if you need a brace then theres something wrong that should be addressed. If your muscles are strong then perhaps theres still some cartelidge damage or something affecting you.

[Bill Hartman]

Originally posted by Becka:
I tore my ACL a few years ago and still have trouble with my knee. Mostly during cardio workout, my knee wants to "give out" some times, and during lunges. The knee brace I have now is a Mueller with side support braces. Most of the time it is uncomfortable/hurts, and it always seems to slip more of a pain then anything! I hardly wear it and my trainer is always telling me to wear it, so I don't know what to do. I also have a slip on ace brace but it doesn't do anything lol. What do you think?
Thank You for replying.

First it doesn't sound like you have a good fitting brace, so it's probably not doing you any good. It could be that the shape/size of your leg is different from when you were initially fitted. Second, if surgery was years ago, do you need it? Third, if you're still having trouble with the knee you should get to your orthopod ASAP. You may have ongoing instability or some progressive changes in the joint that are getting worse. I don't think it is wise for you to train through pain in this case. Giving way is a common sign of something wrong (Did you have any meniscal damage with the ACL injury?). Not trying to scare you, but it would be better to be sure things are okay. If you let it go too long, the "life" of your knee may be severely shortened.

Bill

P.S. A Donjoy Playmaker is your best bet for a brace by the way, but I would go see your doc first!!

[Becka]

Thanks Ben, and Bill.
No it doesn't give out, it just feels like it might. I did go to my Ortho and he said there isn't any damage to my knee, it is however slightly weaker then my left. My kickboxing trainer tells me that. He just wants me to wear a brace during lunges and when I work on my cardio. ...for some extra support.
I checked out the DonJoy Playmaker braces Bill, but that is what I had after surgery, which of course I grew out of. I think it would be a lil overkill now. I just need a lil support.
THANK YOU BOTH!!

[Kaiser]

Bill, if she's had successful corrective surgery and there is no meniscal damage, and she has this feeling, it sounds to me like the brace may be inhibiting her leg muscle development. (That's what I was getting at in my post above). Being a veteran of too many knee surgeries, it sounds more like a psychological problem given past experiences (failure of the knee). I wore support well past when I actually needed it after my surgeries, and this acutally caused my muscle strength to lag. I finally got into spinning as a way to slowly build up muscles surrounding the knee in a controlled weight bearing environment and, oila, a few years later they were as strong and stable as ever. Whad'ya think?

Kaiser
Both knees surgically 'enhanced' and my doctor says my knees are about 55 years older than I am

[Bill Hartman]

Kaiser, those certainly are possibilities. That means it may be time to look critically at the strengthening program and any potential inhibiting influences. Becka, you may not have sufficient strength for lunges at this time or you may have an unidentified soft-tissue issue that is causing inhibition (depending on mechanism of injury), or as Kaiser pointed out, a confidence problem.

If your doc has cleared you for all activities, then I would suggest weaning from the brace. If you feel you need something on your knee to improve proprioception (position sense), use a neoprene knee sleeve.

Of course, clear these recommendations with those who work with you directly (meaning medical professionals not trainers). If you still have pain, please get a recheck on the knee.

Bill

[Becka]

Hey guys!
I should probably tell you, I take a spinning class at least 2 days if not 3 days a week. And I guess I wasnt clear about the brace, I do not wear it, and my trainers think I should. Just wanted to clear that up. My trainer says my (previously injured) knee is slightly weaker, and he thinks I should wear the brace. I however argue that with him, since my brace is a pain in the bum (never stays up and is uncomfortable). I hope I explained that better.

Thanks again

[BjsAust]

I agree with...well the experts up above. If your knee is weaker, the thing to do is strengthen the knee, not wear a brace that negates the need for the knee to strengthen itself.

I found simple stepups and resistance bike riding to be great to bring my knee up. I'd also do things like single leg squats when I had the chance during the day.

[Becka]

Thanks Ben, Yes I take a cycling class a few times a week. My legs and knees are fairly strong, just have pain some times.