Knee braces, compression sleeves, bands, anyone using one or a pair tell me about them.

[LuketheDog]

Ski knees are a big reason I carry trekking poles. I pulled a hamstring 1/2 mile from camp 2 Septembers ago. I was glad to have them. I kept my post ACL surgery derotation brace, now I put it on when packing meat or other heavy loads. And skiing.

For some years after surgery I wore the brace for all hunting, putting many miles on it. One sunny September morning I was tracking a band of elk from their beds, in a few inches of new snow. Following fresh tracks through a grove of aspen on the rim of Grand Mesa (shout out to April). I was on high alert, thinking I was getting close. I noticed a bird chirping whenever I walked, it stopped when I stopped. I kept creeping, the bird stayed right with me. I never saw it, but as soon as I took a step or crossed a log, chirp! After I busted the elk and was walking back, the chirp kept on with every step. Why is this crazy bird so persistent? I finally figured out it was the mechanical hinge on the knee brace, after much use it commenced to chirping every time I bent my left knee.

Mine developed an annoying squeak too until I got sand in it while riding in Moab, which cured the squeak, but then it sounded like two sheets of 50 grit sandpaper rubbing together every time I bent my knee...which was like nails on a chalkboard

 

[hank4elk]

I have an adjustable neoprene knee brace I keep handy...goes in my pack on hunts.Have not really needed it much since arthro on both knees. Both used to chirp & click...
My big problem now is my wrists. Too many years pounding nails & such. I use adjustable neoprene wrist braces now too.
Tried the copper wrist thing and it's too small on my hand & cuts into web of thumb.

Therapist told me the cure. When you do something that hurts now,stop....

 

[noharleyyet]

Jury still out on the Incrediwear sleeve but they do stay in place. That's a positive to me.

 

[fmnjr]

The discovery of Vitamin A (alleve) worked wonders for me. Two 500mg caps and ten miles in the mtns with a backpack is doable.

 

[NMGuy]

I used to use a basic neoprene sleeve type brace and it worked pretty well until my knee problems got to the point the compression on my kneecap causes more pain than relief.

I stopped using the knee brace after I started working out. Losing weight and strengthening my leg muscles did more for me than any knee brace ever did.