Knee Braces

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Bruise Lee

Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
363
I recently started taking a boxing class, and between two hours of running around the gym, jumping ropes, and bouncing around throwing punches, my knees are really starting to take a beating. My right knee doesn't hurt yet, but it doesn't feel normal, either.

I'm thinking of switching to wearing a running shoe with lots of shock absorbing material in the heel. But, I also think I should look into getting some kind of sports knee brace. I know the Oshman's website lists over 30 of these types of product. Does anybody have any personal experience or advice of a product they can recommend?

Bruise
 
Buy a pair of Asics Gels. That’s the only sneaker I've worn since I ran track in high school(graduated in '94). The gel helps to absorb some of the impact from your heel hitting the ground.

Another thing is how heavy are you? If you're kind of heavy running isn't a good thing at all for knees. Riding a bike or using a Stairmaster is a lot better for training.

As for the knee brace, I'd say a neoprene sleeve would work well. I wear one with Velcro straps and the metal hinged supports on the side.

Hopefully you never develop a knee problem. Believe me its not fun, mine used to dislocate on its own, hasn't happened in a few years and hope they don't again. Nothing like falling down for no reason, not being able to get up on your own and then not being able to walk for a day or so.:grumpy:

Good luck on your training and take care of your knees!
 
Originally posted by Mere Mortal
Another thing is how heavy are you? If you're kind of heavy running isn't a good thing at all for knees. Riding a bike or using a Stairmaster is a lot better for training.
Click to expand...
Actually I'm height weight proportionate. I'm 5' 5" and weight 145 lbs. I used to run a lot (3.5-7 miles every other day), but that was over softer dirt trails and I was younger (and 20 lbs. lighter) then. I'm 42 now, and am making a serious effort to get back into shape. I wouldn't be trying this hard this quickly normally, but my trainer is an ex-professional boxer - he fought Leon Spinx and was managed by none other than Marvin Gaye and Burt Reynolds. He is used to training professional fighters, and people 20-25 years younger than I am. I was expecting some kind of concessions for my old age, but I feel like I'm in B.U.D.S. training for the Navy Seals!

I've never had any problems at all with my knee before this. If my knee gets worse, I'm going ask if I can just do stuff like the bag training, push-ups, stomach crunches, sparring, etc. that doesn't impact my knees repetitively with a lot of force.

Bruise
 
imho if the training bothers your knee very bad ya need to change it around to eliminate whatever is causing the knee probs, sometimes it will get better as ya work out, but mostly (for me anyway) certain exercises are really hard on the knee and it just gets worse.

try a neoprene knee wrap for starters, and take some advil regularly, really helped my knee

greg
 
Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to try finding specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and tissue around your knees. I injured my left knee on a ruck march about a year ago and the doctors advised that I do some stretching and strengthening exercises. Running magazines and websites tend to have lots of information on specialized exercises for your legs, that's where I've found some of mine.
 
I agree with Mere Mortal; I injured my knee at work a couple months ago, and the doctor gave me a neoprene brace with velcro at the top and bottom, with hinges on the side.
Kinda funny, the hinges on mine squeak a little, so when I'm wearing long pants I can make old age jokes about myself (only in my 30s) and 'prove' it with my squeaky knee... :)

edited to fix a typo...
 
The reason I asked about weight is that my weight is my problem. I gained about 80lbs, and I still want to do everything and more I did when I was lighter.

I've seen two specialists and they both said that there was nothing wrong with my knees except that I'm to heavy to do some of the activities I do(running through the woods, jumping over, diving behind things and crawling under fallen trees while trying not to got shot with a paintball is the major one)They said they didn't know why it would dislocate also.

Just like Roadrunner the doctors showed me some stretching and some exercises to help strengthen my knees, that’s why I suggested the biking and Stairmaster.

If one or both start to bother you going to the doctors may prevent serious problems from developing.
 
Pay heed to this warning,mate......
"If one or both start to bother you going to the doctors may prevent serious problems from developing."

I did not and now sport two full total knees
replacments. Modern medicine is great but only God
can make a long wearing real knee that works in
every movment. :(

Treat your body with kindness or you will,in time,
pay a heavy,heavy toll as you age.
 
I had a lot of trouble with both knees when I was way too heavy. Running was just going to exacerbate the problem, but bicycling actually built up the knees and eliminated the problem. It took most of one summer to get really good, after that it was easy -- because I lost a bit of the overweight :)
 
I have damaged my MCL and ACL in my left knee and totally ruptured my patellar tendon in my right. After surgery and rehab, my ortho prescribed hinged, velcro adjustable knee supports with reinforced patellar cut-outs. Absolutley no lateral "play". Very comfy, light, and unnoticeable under trousers. I've never seen my particular model stocked in a pharmacy so they may only be available through an orthopedic surgeon. Your best bet would be consulting with a physician before spending money on the run of the mill variety out there.

Dayuhan
 
Originally posted by Tightwad
I did not and now sport two full total knees
replacments. Modern medicine is great but only God
can make a long wearing real knee that works in
every movment. :(

Treat your body with kindness or you will,in time,
pay a heavy,heavy toll as you age.
Click to expand...
:( Sorry to hear that Tightwad. If you don't mind me asking, how old were you when you started having knee problems? How much did you weigh and how tall are you?

I spoke with a few employees at my health club, and both said it takes at least 6 weeks before the body starts to get used to a hard workout.

Bruise
 
Bruise Lee,I'm 57 now carring about 250>300 lbs
on average at 6ft. tall. My build is very solid so
the weight isn't flab. I started to notice pain
in one knee in 1998 and ignored it until it got
severe in 2000. A trip to a doctor told me that all
the years of working on a hard concrete floor in a
factory were wearing out my ankles and knees.

From there I worked until May 2004 when my knees
got so bad one would no longer straighten with the
other in constant pain inspite of the pain killers.
I finally gave up and retired after 39yr on the job
starting this year long journey back to health.

I share this with you and all who read as a warning
that the old axiom "No pain, no gain" is a double
edge sword that DOES cut both ways. When you hurt,
LISTEN to your body!! Take it slow and be mindful
of your age and your life long conditoning. You
can't ask a 30+yr old body to act like 19!

Get in good physical condition ,on a sustainable
level, and maintain your general health. PERIOD!

We all have to decide how we live....Make it a
good chioce,mate. Make it a good choice.
 
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