Knee brace
 

I have seen some references to knee braces from time to time. I have a painful right knee, which is from basketball many decades ago. It is not the type of injury that will get worse by using it, but it is painful. I have considered a knee brace, so I wanted to know if anyone has recommendations as to the type or brand or whatever for a knee brace. Is there one that works well with the repetitions of the knee flexing on a bike?

I'm intersted in the answers to this as well.

Ed

Two type of knee bands I use when needed are the one for "runners/jumpers knee" which goes below the knee cap and the IT band strap which goes above the knee and keeps the IT band in place. I have found that only wearing the braces when pain is a problem is best. I have seen riders with a full knee brace which does the same thing as the above devices but is really designed to give support to your body weight. Knee pain is something you should not let go if you want to enjoy your riding.

I have a long history of knee problems and have had a total of seven (yes, 7) surgeries. Six were on the right knee, with the last being an ACL reconstruction. Prior to the reconstruction at age 50 I had lived with a totally severed ACL for about seven years.

I have a custom, molded to my knee, brace that fits perfectly and prevents any sideways deflection of the knee. It also prevents rotation, which isn't necessarily a good thing in day to day use. It's much more effective than anything you will buy off the shelf. It's also much more expensive. I use it now infrequently because I don't play much softball or racquetball anymore.

But why would you want a knee brace for cycling? You're doing a repetitive motion that you can either 1) do or 2) not do. There are no sudden turns or twists. Possibly you might want one for mountain biking, but if you are over 50 and that concerned about the knees I recommend staying off the mountain bike for anything except nice smooth dirt paths (don't ask me how I know this).

As oilman says, if you have knee pain you need to know what causes it.

Knee problems from an old Injury and Cycling does not affect it- But I do make certain that I keep my quad muscles strong. Couple of times a week I am doing 1 hour sessions to make certain they are strong.

And on the Mountain biking- The only time that hurts is if I ever walk up a hill. (That sideways pressure on the knee joint) Thats one of the reasons I learnt to climb hills on the Bike.

Since getting the road bike- I rarely even get a twinge- but That is why I am doing the Quad muscle exercises. Mountain biking kept them in better shape.

I found the link for the knee sock that I am using - this one works well for me but then my problems are mostly tendonitis related. This is the one I mentioned in the other thread as the one I really like.

http://hocks.com/Merchant2/merchant....11_a_7c1754258

It's cheap and my be worth a try.

Naturally it all depends on the nature and severity of the injury. For my occasional problems, the Ace blue neoprene ones from the drugstore do the trick.

As for why you'd use a knee brace for cycling, it's when I've twisted my knee and want to be assured pedaling motion will stay straight, rather than twist with the injured knee.

Try a pair of "knee savers" to get your pedal stroke perfectly inline 360 deg of pedal stroke. No
twisting of the knee at the bottom of the stroke with these babies!!

I use a pair on my trike & both bikes. Wonderful comfort now!!:thumb::thumb:

http://www.bikescor.com/product/knee.htm

Be sure you bike is et right for you
 

HI,
I was reviewing an article about a distance rider in a local paper, and he had problems with his knees and they became worse when he road until the bike was set-up correctly for his use. Seat height ,
Angles of seat, knee flexure to use or not use clips. even the crank lenght can effect the knee. so be sure it not getting worse from allignment issues on the bike.
My left knee pops if my seat isn't all the way back, now my legs feel like springs when the pedal bottoms out instead of knee pain I feel power...
Doug

I use one of these for just the right leg. Too bad you have to buy a set. They ain't cheap.