Advice on Knee Support

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[feck]

Hi people,

havent posted in a while. Probably since i ripped my cruciate ligament during practice.

Anyway I started again on sunday, at the same dojo on a 10 week beginners course, going to keep it at a bare minimum for awhile, just once a week.

Although my knee is healed fairly well after about 2 years or so, seiza is crippling me, as well as the constant picking myself off of the floor.
Maybe most of its just gettting back into the swing of things, but I would like some advice on a knee guard, support guard type of deal.

What should i be actually looking for?, or even links to appropriate products. Ideally anyone with a similiar injury, who uses these knee supports, what have you found to be the best products?

Thanks

feck

[mickeygelum]

Hello Mr. Paul,

Hope these help...Personally, I use a Mueller Hg80.

http://www.braceshop.com/

http://www.kneeshop.com/

Train well,

Mickey

[feck]

Thanks for responding mickey,

Does this restrict you in anyway in seiza, ie: make it more uncomfortable?

[Keith Larman]

As a guy who has suffered through a couple injuries... Yeah, I can sympathize. People often ask me if the falls are what hurts. No, it's the getting up over and over again.

So my free advice -- all worth what you paid. Braces can help, but they're more about preventing more damage. If the problem is your knees getting sore when getting up you may really need to strengthen the legs. After my injuries I've had problems keeping my legs strong enough. That translated into lots of problems later with fatigue, soreness, etc. But it was really more about having lost strength due to the layoff and the injury. Not to mention all those things you do to "favor" or protect the injured area. So ideally spend some time with a sports phsyical therapist and get some exercises appropriate for both what you need and that won't cause more problems with the tender joints.

Another point is that if you are carrying extra weight... Well, the next sentence should be obvious. Dropping weight makes it easier to stand up. Something I need to work on some more...

Just fwiw.

And I used a very high end custom made Thompson Derotational brace for one knee for a long time. It was great -- carbon fiber, super strong hinges, it felt great. The problem was that sometimes I'd clip someone... Oops, sorry about that. But you can get over-reliant on the braces when the real problem is more about the rehab of the knee itself and the muscles around it.

Anyway, get thee to a good therapist or else listen to the one you have. It takes time to get flexibility back but it sounds more like you need to regain strength than so much need more support. Doing both would probably be a good idea, however...

[Janet Rosen]

You might want to check with your orthopedist, physical therapist, and a good local athletic trainer, and see if perhaps their advice is don't sit in seiza.
I've made it a point to avoid seiza and have adapted how I fall and how I get up since my knee surgeries.
I agree w/ Keith's warning about the use and limitations of braces.

[Abasan]

Hi, I used to wear knee supports. Problem didn't originate there though, more from flat feet. This will affect back and knee.

I know its not similar to your more localised injury.

Just wanted to support the post above. I dropped 20kgs and I don't wear the supports anymore. Also, forget seiza. It'll just screw your knees up in the long run.