My knee has gotten worse, but not bad enough for surgery. But I can't ride a bike any distance,
or do squats.

I may need a couple of braces. Whatever it takes. I'd like to have one for the bike, and another
for the gym.

Or maybe just the one if it's amazing. My knee surgeon guy thinks I should just get a neoprene sleeve
and call that good. I would like something better.

a sleeve ? that's it... those are cheap might as well try. For me sleeves are lame, but maybe all you need is a little compression in the area ?

I've used many knee braces.. and prefer DonJoy's get the deluxe hinged model if you need something a little more substantial. I also have a custom defiance that I use when snowboarding. My knee is trashed and want to hold off total replacement, but I ride the bike with no braces.

I've worn a knee brace for sports for years after a torn ACL and before the surgery was any good. Just was in to the see the surgeon last year and was told that studies don't show any particular benefit from knee braces. I'm not sure I'd believe that, but unless you have some structural damage, I don't think they are worth much. All a neoprene one is going to do is remind you which knee was the sore one - there is very little support that it can provide given the forces your knee is subject to.

I would think the best solution would be to get a referral to get some high quality physical therapy. It's likely that your muscles supporting your knee are in need of strengthening. It's also critically important to have the different groups properly balanced. For those of us who cycle, our quads tend to be over developed and we usually need some coaching on getting the hamstrings up to snuff. I had this exact problem two years ago with lots of knee pain due to the popeleitus (sp?) muscle (small muscle behind the knee that twists the leg) being asked to carry the load after a knee injury. The issue was over developed quads from cycling and lack of support from underdeveloped hamstrings. 6 weeks and nightly exercises, and problem gone.

J.

If you want more than the support sleeve maybe you need a referral to a prosthetist for a brace. These are the specialist in braces and prosthetic limbs, I had a referral when my Rt leg was paralyzed from a spinal injury, since repaired. These are expensive, though.

I'm not sure a brace is the answer for cycling, the pedaling is a fairly benign motion and no side stresses are present unless you have a very strange pedaling motion. Even the TKR people are back pedaling fairly quickly on a stationary bike.

Bill

If you can't ride a bike any distance, I'd say that was enough to make you a good candidate for surgery. Cycling isn't in the same class as squats where stress on the knees is concerned. I've had a dodgy knee for years: anything less than perfect technique in a squat and I'm in trouble, cycling is almost risk-free by comparison.

DonJoy makes a lot of knee braces. I'll give them a call, thanks.

When at the gym I use knee sleeves for both knees, one that's been replaced and the other that is going to be replaced. I do a lot of kettle bell swings (35 & 45#), and squats, up to about 3/4 of my body weight.

I notice difference without them...harder to loosen up and get the blood flowing, more stiffness.

I do not use them when cycling.

Go talk to sports medicine physician followed by a consultation with a sports physiologist/physical therapist. Ortho surgeons are great, but it is amazing what the qualified professionals at a sports medicine clinic can do non-surgically if you follow through with their recommendations.

You really should have a talented Physical Therapist do some diagnostics to determine what is the problem with your knee. If you have money to burn, and just need to spread the compressive forces on your knee cap over a larger surface area, take a look at the DonJoy Reaction Knee Brace. I use them and find them helpful.

My left knee is bone on bone, with arthritis. My orthopedic surgeon will do a replacement in a few years. He says he would do it now if I was 60, but that at 51 he want's to wait a few years so I get 20 Years of hard use out of the replacement.

He set me up with this from Townsend Braces. It is a custom fit, made from a mold made from of my leg. I wear it for walking around and at work.
Total pain relief. I can walk 5 miles in it, no problem.


I don't need to wear anything when riding. I have my road bike geared very low. 50/34 Compact w/ 11-34 cassette.
I climb a lot. 190,000 feet so far this year in 4000 miles.
I am training for a Double Century at the end of the month with 13,000 feet. It will be my 14th Double.
Low gears make it possible for me.

I hope you try gearing low and spinning so you can keep rolling.

I got a knee brace which was more of a sleeve for cycling which really helped because it was lightweight and it helped with proproception and it only cost if I remember correctly £10 sometime you can pay loads just for a brand name which deosnt make sense. EDIT: Just remembered where I got mine from..... you might want to try https://inthenameofsport.com/neoprene...-support-brace worked a treat for my tendon pain in my knee.

Got a RX for a brace, and the guy that does my ortho inserts also has a knee brace called the Gripper.
Going to get it Mon. Thx for all the suggestions.