To get Knee Braces or Not?

Carolyn · 12-05-2005, 01:11 AM

I hit the side of my knee on the gas tank on a landing during practice this week and it made it hard for me the rest of the day. I ended up bruising the L side of my R knee and it was hard to grip the bike with my legs because it hurt - yeah I know I'm a wuss!

Right now all I have are FOX knee/shin guards for kids and I'm really debating on getting the Asterix knee braces. One of the other girls I ride with has them and she loves them.

If not the knee braces, I was going to get 'better' knee/shin guards like the 661-ricochet knee/shin guard. Or another similar type of knee/shin guard.

I did a search on the 2 MX forums I'm on but there was no info on knee braces, just knee injuries. Plus evertime I post something on one of the forums, they don't offer any good info just more like critisizm

Nate99 · 12-05-2005, 07:16 AM

I've read about alot of MX'ers using knee braces, but never found a good explanation as to why you should. When I eventually get a bike, I might make these part of my initial gear purchase, having had ACL surgery back in High School (~10 years ago).

Edit: Here's a link I found on a google search:

dirtrider link

blndebmbr · 12-05-2005, 08:42 AM

I know that last season I banged my knee up pretty bad-twisted it and I grabbed an "ace" brace to wear in order to prevent more injury to the already tender tendons and what not. Those braces look awesome because my guards are too big and those look like they may have more options. I guess my perspective is if they will stabilize things to prevent injuries, I'll use them. It's not like we are kids anymore. Our knees are old and injury prone. I have heard that braces aren't good when you don't need them because then your muscles aren't required to work. I also know that when I used to run track, I always wore an ankle brace so I wouldn't twist my ankle and it made a huge difference. I suppose it's the same as everything else...to each their own.
I'd be willing to try those braces...

Krazy Hawaiian · 12-05-2005, 12:11 PM

If your getting knee braces get the best. CTI's they need to be fitted by a knee doctor and cost about $400. But they will prevent you from acl tears and tearing your knees up. They look like something from the treminator. Strap on above the knee and below and have Ti hinges on both sides of the knee to prevent it ftom twisting and tearing the tendons like I did to both of my knees.

http://www.transworldmotocross.com/m...016150,00.html

CarolinaKneeDragger · 12-05-2005, 06:04 PM

[quote=Krazy Hawaiian]If your getting knee braces get the best. CTI's they need to be fitted by a knee doctor and cost about $400. But they will prevent you from acl tears and tearing your knees up. They look like something from the treminator. Strap on above the knee and below and have Ti hinges on both sides of the knee to prevent it ftom twisting and tearing the tendons like I did to both of my knees.

I agree! I raced for two years and snapped both of my acl's,tore my meniscuse, and my cartilage.(not all at the same time though). I had the surgerys and now both my knees are better than they ever were. But it was a very painful and hard road back to recovery. 6 months of rehab wasn't fun. I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. So please consider the braces. They are well worth it! If you do get them, it will feel a little funky at first when you are riding, but you'll love it when you get use to it. I personally think that it is easier to grip the sides of the bike, especially in the whoop section.

OFFICER737 · 12-05-2005, 06:10 PM

Are you wanting knee braces or knee pads that protect the sides of your knee? I wore braces that were hinged on both sides and pads over it. The brace protected the muscles and such and the sides of the knee, the knee pads protected the front and some my hard spills.

Krazy Hawaiian · 12-05-2005, 07:13 PM

The hinged ones that require a prescription by a orthosurgeon. Made by CTI go to the site in the link and read about them. They prevent injuring your knee and will support a totally destroyed knee as well. They are as important as a helmet!

Carolyn · 12-05-2005, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFFICER737

Are you wanting knee braces or knee pads that protect the sides of your knee? I wore braces that were hinged on both sides and pads over it. The brace protected the muscles and such and the sides of the knee, the knee pads protected the front and some my hard spills.

Right now all I have are the FOX knee/shin guards and it hurt like hell gripping the bike yesterday after I bruised the L side of my R knee on the shroud

I haven't hurt my knees yet though, just bruised 'em up from time to time (thank god

)

The Asterix knee braces I'm looking at are around $500 for the set.

Thanks for the advice guys!

bmxr · 12-05-2005, 07:36 PM

I've got news for you guys; I have never met a doctor or PT that believed that any knee brace could help prevent an ACL injury. They don't even recomend them for use while rehabing ACL reconstructions anymore.

Besides, the bruises that the original post are about have nothing whatsoever to do with connective tissue. What she needs is some kind of knee pad, maybe like the dirt jumping knee pads I wear when jumping my 20" bike... I use the Shadow Conspiracy ones that fit under my jeans. I wouldn't put up with them riding my KTM though. To me, that kind of little bruise is just part of the game

btw-CTi's have to be perscribed by a doctor, fit by an Orthotist, and the last one I got cost over $1k (for one). Asterix is a company that was started by the same guy that started CTi with the intention of producing and marketing a more reasonably priced brace based on the same principles, and as a preventative measure; i.e., without a prescription. They retail for about 1/4 what a CTi costs, or $500 for the pair. They are relatively very comfortable and I am tempted to buy a pair to protect against hyperextension and maybe protect my MCL's somewhat, but I do not believe they would do squat for my two reconstructed ACL's.

OFFICER737 · 12-05-2005, 07:38 PM

You picked a pretty good set! The side pieces that come into hinge will help protect the sides of your knee somewhat from impact injury. I had to wear knee braces due to football, wrestling, racing, etc... injuries. Pick up a set of knee pads too....your knees will thank you (no comments guys

).

Krazy Hawaiian · 12-06-2005, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolyn

Right now all I have are the FOX knee/shin guards and it hurt like hell gripping the bike yesterday after I bruised the L side of my R knee on the shroud

I haven't hurt my knees yet though, just bruised 'em up from time to time (thank god

)

The Asterix knee braces I'm looking at are around $500 for the set.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Good goin Carolyn. They help a hell of a lot. Otherwise the top 100 riders wouldnt be using them now would they....... take care of your body and you will have alot more fun for a lot more time...

Nate99 · 12-06-2005, 07:19 AM

Interesting medical analysis of knee braces - LINK

I wore one for a few years after ACL surgery, but eventually lost a fair amount of weight, and it didn't fit anymore. I don't really feel like I need it, but I'm not plaing basketball or football anymore either.

drnknmnky13 · 12-07-2005, 12:33 PM

^^^ good read. Always make me warm and fuzzy to read about somone who l