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

[EYJONAS!]

Looking at some options for different braces or bands for hiking, training, hunting in. If anyone is using one for the same things let me know I had a couple knee injures over the years with sports and being a complete dipshit in high-school and college. Now the mountains are taking a toll on them as well. I'm not looking for some giant robotic looking s.o.b. the compression sleeves and bands seem reasonable and fairly inexpensive.

 

[Straight Arrow]

At 75, I still run a few races each year, to include the John Colter at the Missouri Headwaters ... albeit my knees have been "talkin to me" of late. I watched Brett Favre and Jerry Rice tout the copper compression knee sleeves ... so I bit and ordered one. I took a run, returned home and ordered the second one immediately. I now have two pairs ... they do help alot! I wear them hunting the steep elk mountain slopes and thank them each time. They are inexpensive and well worth the price.

I told that to an 80 yr old friend who is a fly tying and fly fishing icon around here and travels far and wide wading blue ribbon trout streams, but with two shot and constantly sore knees. He tried the copper compression knee sleeves and thanked me profusely, as he wears them all the time now.

 

[Southern Elk]

I severely sprained my knee a few weeks back while skiing. The dr told me to wear a knee brace and it helps a lot. I’m weaning myself off of the brace for day to day activities, but I will still wear it in the mountains this spring and summer.

 

[Hem]

Duct tape

 

[Sawtooth]

Tore my MCL and medial meniscus in my right knee two years ago. Both my surgeon and PT suggested a sleeve by Incrediwear. It offered great support while in rehab and I use it whenever I hit the hills. I recommended it to my buddy who wrecked his knees running track in college and he is also a believer. https://incrediwear.com/products/incrediwear-knee-sleeve

 

[Deleted member 40728]

I have had 4 knee surgeries up to this point in my life and all were due to being reckless in high school and suffering there after. I have worn knee sleeves and braces at various times. The braces are total overkill unless you have some serious instability issues. The sleeves seem like they help to a certain degree. I haven’t worn them in a few years and don’t recall the brand but they were very similar to the incrediwear ones @Sawtooth mentioned. The best thing I found for my knee pain while roaming the mountain was to take glucosamine chondroitin tablets. I start taking them well in advance of my hunting trips and have noticed less pain throughout the duration versus the years I didn’t take anything at all. Everyone’s body reacts differently but that was my solution. Hope you find something that works for you, it definitely sucks hiking all day with bummed knees.

 

[Tradewind]

I use the neoprene sleeves w an opening for the knee cap.
they have worked well for me so far

 

[IDFireLass]

Kennetrek knee brace. Wore one last year 2018- 2019 and it helped a lot.
Had to have the knee replaced last Sept.

 

[thusby]

Rehband makes a nice knee sleeve. I forget I'm even wearing them. Takes a lot of stress out of the deep uphill strides.

 

[BRI]

I've torn both my ACL's (left in 1995, right in 2007). Now the left knee is completely worn out with osteoarthritis and needs replaced. Too young they say though so pain management until I can get it replaced. I know everyone is different but I haven't found anything that works for me and makes a measurable difference. I've tried copper compression sleeves, neoprene sleeves, glucosamine chondritin, Euflexxa injections, cortisone injections. The cortisone was the best but relief was short duration and temporary where the benefit doesn't justify the cost. For me It just seems like there's good days and bad days.

 

[LuketheDog]

I tore my ACL completely and had it repaired 15 years ago and did the whole dance with the carbon fiber sports brace and such, which I hated. I'm reasonably sure I tore it again 2 years ago with additional cartilage damage, I haven't taken the time to get in to the ortho doc so I'm wearing a brace again when I'm active. Now I have a decent neoprene brace that has compression straps above and below my knee, especially when skiing or hiking in the mountains, it makes a big difference at the end of the day...but I still hate wearing it.

 

[EYJONAS!]

THanks for the replies guys, I have torn both Meniscus and damaged my left ACL. I need to do something before I find myself in a world of hurt in a place I don't want to be. I have ordered a set of the Copper Fits, for 19.99 for 2 I dont think a guy can go wrong. I am excited to try them and see what the future brings. Hopefully some relief, appreciate the feedback on this!

 

[ZMT588]

+1 for Glucosamine Chondroitin. Missing some cartilage in one of my shoulders and since I started taking that (About 2 years ago since I moved to MT, Winters are rough on the joints) I've felt much better. I even give some to my dog every once in a while when he thinks I'm getting treats from the cabinet. Good for his hips.

 

[noharleyyet]

Just ordered one of the knee sleeves from Incrediwear...cheaper than CBD snake oil.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Just ordered one of the knee sleeves from Incrediwear...cheaper than CBD snake oil.

You must haven't tried the "medical grade" stuff they sell at every gas station in America then........

 

[dgc1963]

Hey Eyjonas Im 57 had surgery yrs ago and it didnt go well so for yrs now I do squats on a smith machine very low weight lots of reps it made my joints solid as a rock
also helped when I broke my foot thought it was a bad sprain and walked and worked on it for 6 months the Dr. said I made it a mess of it but im good now
and when I say low weights I mean little girl weights (slow and good form)

 

[elkduds]

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.

 

[MT_Chad]

Have you tried a good physical therapist? If you were in helena I would point you to my wife. She has helped some of my friends with somewhat similar problems. My wife specializes in mechanical diagnosis and treatment (the McKinzie method), which works well for strengthening and stretching problem joints. You can check the McKinzie website for certified PTs in your area, there aren't a lot in MT unfortunately. I take it back, with telehealth now, depending on your insurance she could actually treat you that's to covid 19. If you are interested just pm me and I can get you her contact info.

 

[Kaitum]

I have a torn meniscus in both knees. I wear a neoprene sleeve over my knees and it seems to help quite a bit. Especially on downhills and side hilling.

 

[rmagnus]

At 75, I still run a few races each year, to include the John Colter at the Missouri Headwaters ... albeit my knees have been "talkin to me" of late. I watched Brett Favre and Jerry Rice tout the copper compression knee sleeves ... so I bit and ordered one. I took a run, returned home and ordered the second one immediately. I now have two pairs ... they do help alot! I wear them hunting the steep elk mountain slopes and thank them each time. They are inexpensive and well worth the price.

I told that to an 80 yr old friend who is a fly tying and fly fishing icon around here and travels far and wide wading blue ribbon trout streams, but with two shot and constantly sore knees. He tried the copper compression knee sleeves and thanked me profusely, as he wears them all the time now.

They work for me also. At nearly 64 racquetball was taking a toll on my knees. Glad I tried the Copper Fit.