Knees - braces vs. CW-X vs. heat wraps vs. ?

We've had lots of discussions on the utility of knee braces on healthy and/or fully-recovered knees, mostly coming to the same conclusions as the medical field on the topic - inconclusive. In the midst of those, a few other things have been mentioned, like using ThermaCare heat wraps to keep the muscles and ligaments warm and limber while out in the cold.

So now I'm asking the next obvious question - any opinions on using either a knee brace (either full custom like Donjoy, etc., or the Cell one), something like the CW-X tights that are supposed to support the knees and legs, or using a ThermaCare ?

Obviously reducing the chance of injury is the goal. Clearly being in good shape and knowing when not to push it are the best ways, but I'm curious if anyone has experience with the non-brace ideas.

I use CW-X tights (or Skins, which are similar) under my knee braces FWIW.

even more simple and less expensive, neoprene sleeves will kepp your knees warm and toasty and possibly give some proprioceptive feedback to the muscles that might prevent inuury through enhanced muscle response time.

any ideas on a neoprene type wrap that won't bunch up while skinning? i wore one last weekend and now have a spot rubbed raw on the back of my leg. oh and these days i always wear kneepads, helps keep my knees warm and protects them in case of falls.

First is to make sure you get a sleeve that fits snuggly enough. I have the same problem with them sliding down. If it fits well enough but still rubs, simply cut a small hole, ~2- 2.5 inches or so, out of the sleeve where it rubs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Camel Toad

any ideas on a neoprene type wrap that won't bunch up while skinning? i wore one last weekend and now have a spot rubbed raw on the back of my leg. oh and these days i always wear kneepads, helps keep my knees warm and protects them in case of falls.

---

I had good luck with this sirus Knee brace from REI:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH

It has material cut out at the back, and a hole for your pattela, so it doesn' slide or bunch up in back.

It even has hinges for a fake sense of security.

that type of brace would give mild stability ot the MCL/LCL as well as the patello-femoral joint. It would also keep the knee warm..

On the down side it would be a bit bulky and I could see having a bruising problem from hitting the hinges on the inside of the opposite knee.

hey thanks for the replies...you guys rule!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vinman

even more simple and less expensive, neoprene sleeves will kepp your knees warm and toasty and possibly give some proprioceptive feedback to the muscles that might prevent inuury through enhanced muscle response time.

---

Now see, I have actually had an ortho tell me specifically to NOT wear those neoprene sleeve braces. I wish I could remember the specifics of his reasoning, but it's been several years since having that conversation.

I'm not talking about a "brace" per say. A simple neoprene sleeve is not a brace. The "brace" in the link above is not the type of thing i was refering to.

I'm talking about something like this http://www.medco-athletics.com/image...cts/434000.jpg

vs a neoprene brace like this http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/206.../691879Prd.jpg

overall I am not a big fan of the hinged neoprene brace except for temporary uses

I'm 7.5 months out of my acl replacement and I'm in great biking shape but I don't want to use an expensive custom brace skiing. My surgeon and therapist both said since I'm young I'd be able to protect the new tissue better by building up the muscle around it and that I would become dependent on elaborate brace if I used one skiing. Should I go witht the sleeve because I've used the neoprene hinged brace in the past like the one above and I always end up ripping the hinges out from bottoming it out on landings. And do most typical sporting good places have the sleeves?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Camel Toad

any ideas on a neoprene type wrap that won't bunch up while skinning? i wore one last weekend and now have a spot rubbed raw on the back of my leg. oh and these days i always wear kneepads, helps keep my knees warm and protects them in case of falls.

---

check out wrestling type kneepads, they are a neoprene sleeve with a gel cap pad over your patella. takes care of neoprene sleeve/knee pad in one shot. sold in most sporting goods stores I imagine.