Knee support

entropy said:

Lately MUni has been giving me pain right behind and around the left
kneecap. This is the same knee I hit hard falling off a uni over a
year ago. I've been to a doctor about it, and he suggested that the
pain may consistent with changed geometry due to scar tissue near the
tendon. The knee definately pops and clicks when I flex it.

Can anyone with knee problems suggest a solid knee brace that helps
ease joint stress while unicycling?

No, but as an alternative, have you tried to see a physiotherapist? I
have dodgy knee joints (twisted bones in the lower legs), and have had
knee pain on-and-off forever (well, last 25 years or so). Doctors are
rarely much use, but physiotherapists are much more likely to fix it,
in my experience.

A phsio is also much less likely to advise simply giving up your
choice of sport.

regards, Ian SMith
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funny you should post this. i am sitting at home with ice on my knee
that is swollen from a pretty harsh uni ride yesterday. sounds like
kinda the same thing....so i'd be interested in knowing what it is and
if i can prevent it. thanks

-paul

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Hopefully a medical person will respond. Also, do a search as there
have been threads before.
I am speaking only from my personal experience, not any medical
knowledge:

A good orthopedic surgeon will be able to tell you if there are any
non-surgical treatments that will help you, and recommend a PT. It is
best to ask several athletes in your area if they recommend a
particular OS, one who isn't surgery-happy.

It really sounds like your problem could possibly be patellar tracking,
which can be greatly relieved by massaging around the kneecap and
moving the kneecap side-to-side to stretch the connecting tissue. A PT
can show you how to do it, and your doctor should have referred you to
one if that's what he thought it was, in my opinion.
They also make bands that can help hold the kneecap in the proper
alignment.

Popping and especially “locking” can also mean meniscus
damage which will get worse if not repaired, possibly resulting in the
need for knee replacement. It’s worth getting it checked.

Assuming you are talking about a real “functional” knee
brace as they are called, I think the best sports knee braces are made
by 'Inn' (http://www.isports.com/byou.htm)'ovation Sports'
(http://www.isports.com/byou.htm). I have the “Edge” model
which I got post-op and wore for almost a year, but only occasionally
now. The Innovation Sports carbon fiber frame models tend to fit closer
and not catch on the uni frame like most metal frame models.

You really don’t want to wear a knee brace if you don’t
have to. They really don’t do much to prevent twisting, but can
stabilize your knee side to side, and they reduce the chance of
hyperextension which is when your knee is extremely vulnerable. It is
hard to keep a brace from "migrating" down your leg as you pedal, and
chafing is a real problem.

See a different doctor, really. The news may not be bad, and even if it
is you will be better off knowing.

Scott

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I wear Donjoy braces on both sides while uniing, but my problem is worn
out menicuses (menisci?) on one side, so the brace helps by shifting
load toward the good side. As mentioned, they also prevent
hyperextension and help with twisting forces that can pop ligaments.

But all this might/probably doesn't apply to your situation, which
sounds more like the patellar tracking problem mentioned before. Key
is to see a doctor who can properly diagnose the issue and point you in
the direction of someone who can help. Definitely don't give up the
sport you love. My orthopedic surgeon was the one who recommended
braces, and they help me a lot. They are a pain to ride with, no
doubt, but unless I catch my brake handle under one, I usually don't
notice they're there. The sixsixones cover them up pretty well.
Unfortunately, riding with braces is the price I pay for not having
perfect genetics. 🙂

Jerry

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Cho-Pat makes a couple of straps to help with patellar tracking and
other patellar issues. Other companies also make similar straps.
Here's a bunch of links:
'Cho-Pat Original Knee Strap' (http://tinyurl.com/8ua59)
'Cho-Pat Patellar Kneecap Stabilizer' (http://tinyurl.com/cfxmd)
'Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap' (http://tinyurl.com/3sqty)
'PattStrap' (http://www.fabrifoam.com/p-pattstrap.html)
'FootSmart Patella Knee Strap'
(http://www.footsmart.com/Product.aspx?ProductId=132)
There are others.
I don't know which are most effective.

With patellar tracking problems you want something that gets the
patella (kneecap) to track up and down the way it's supposed to. You
don't necessarily need a full on knee brace.

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