Knee Braces

[Urtripping]

Not sure if this belongs here or in Skate Questions, but I'm wondering what knee braces folks have tried if you've had destabilizing injuries to ligaments or meniscus.

I usually just rock an Ace 3 strap brace, but am thinking of moving to something with hinges. I'm hesitant though because I have no idea how a burlier brace like that would feel when skating, and I'm worried about limiting my range of motion too much. My current brace is unnoticeable when I really get going and provides a lot of stability, but my knee needs all the help it can get since I recently strained my mcl with the brace on (doing a hippy jump, lol).

What brace works for you if ya got weak ass knees? Too many brands trying to sell flashy knitted sleeves that don't seem like they'd be supportive... I don't care how it looks, as long as it works.

[Kneesles]

Ive been using donjoy armor knee braces with the forcepoint hinges for 12+ years now with a lot of success. I only wear one now since ive recovered from acl surgery on my right leg 12 years ago but have needed to get surgery on my left acl for over 20 years now and wearing both braces at the same time can get a little clunky in the knees with the forcepoint hinges as they are a little beefier but engage your leg muscles early before you straighten out your leg. The brace works really well and it doesn't affect your range of motion much, if at all. Ill still blow the knee out every few years with it on but it greatly reduces the amount it gives out and it usually happens when i don't keep it adjusted properly during the session. One thing i have learned over the years is you don't want a knee brace that makes your leg spring out strait like a lot of the sleeve type braces do. A hinged type brace will definitely stabilize your knee much better than any of the other types. Also, youll probably want one that goes a decent length under the knee for a little extra support. Donjoy makes the armor in a regular and short shin length and im really glad i got the regular one. I would suggest going to see an orthopedic sports specialist to get one fitted and they likely will have great advice and will be able to let you try on different brands/models to get one that will be best for you and they aslo can do custom sizes. They arnt cheap but are worth it in the long run. I think mine were around $500 each years ago and i had gotten a more basic setup out of titanium instead of carbon fiber but i dont notice the weight at all and have held up great over the years. If you have any other questions just shoot me a pm.

[Urtripping]

Thanks man! I would totally go for the donjoys if I had acl issues or a more serious tear in the mcl, but I've never had more than a grade II and that was about 10 years ago now. You have absolutely opened my eyes to braces with hinges/metal in them, though becauseI really had it in my head that they'd be restrictive. I saw some wacky McDavid one with long, thin springs on the medial and lateral sides... won't go for that but there are some $70-80 ones that I can choose from at Walgreens that I might give a shot

[Firebert]

McDavid 429X is what I use.

[knee surgery]

I had ACL surgery 4 years ago and the best ones that worked for me were the ones that provide support (gaskets, light mcdavids) more than the ones that constraint mostly side-to-side movements (the ones with metal rods and hinges on the sides), although afer hurting my knee wearing one of them I decided to ditch them for skateboarding and only wear them at work if I get hurt. The thing that works best for me is keeping my body elastic (stretching and dynamic stenght exercises) and being able to absorb impacts and weird movements with my hole body so I don't rely on my knees that much if it makes sense.
Get one if you really need them but don't rely on them because you will end up with weaker muscles.

PS: The Mcdavid 425 is the one that worked best for me.

sorry for my horrendous english hahaha

[Urtripping]

I had ACL surgery 4 years ago and the best ones that worked for me were the ones that provide support (gaskets, light mcdavids) more than the ones that constraint mostly side-to-side movements (the ones with metal rods and hinges on the sides), although afer hurting my knee wearing one of them I decided to ditch them for skateboarding and only wear them at work if I get hurt. The thing that works best for me is keeping my body elastic (stretching and dynamic stenght exercises) and being able to absorb impacts and weird movements with my hole body so I don't rely on my knees that much if it makes sense.
Get one if you really need them but don't rely on them because you will end up with weaker muscles.

PS: The Mcdavid 425 is the one that worked best for me.

sorry for my horrendous english hahaha

This is solid, thanks man. I've been focusing a lot on flexibility doing pretty regular yoga, but should get in the gym too so I can strengthen supporting muscles.

[knee surgery]

Expand Quote

I had ACL surgery 4 years ago and the best ones that worked for me were the ones that provide support (gaskets, light mcdavids) more than the ones that constraint mostly side-to-side movements (the ones with metal rods and hinges on the sides), although afer hurting my knee wearing one of them I decided to ditch them for skateboarding and only wear them at work if I get hurt. The thing that works best for me is keeping my body elastic (stretching and dynamic stenght exercises) and being able to absorb impacts and weird movements with my hole body so I don't rely on my knees that much if it makes sense.
Get one if you really need them but don't rely on them because you will end up with weaker muscles.

PS: The Mcdavid 425 is the one that worked best for me.

sorry for my horrendous english hahaha

[close]

This is solid, thanks man. I've been focusing a lot on flexibility doing pretty regular yoga, but should get in the gym too so I can strengthen supporting muscles.

Yoga is great and if you don't like hitting the gym get a bike and start doing mellow 25km rides and your legs will look like Schwarzenegger's in 4 months

[CaptainCheeks]

https://www.donjoyperformance.com/webtech-knee-brace

After acl surgery I fully back all donjoy products they feature support and protection and minimal weight I have this brace now and it comes with a sleeve as well

[Trollin4Tuna]

I have a partially torn PCL and use a custom made CTI brace and custom 187 knee pads to go with it. Love them both.