 Poster: A snowHead
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I've had a pretty stiff knee for a couple of years... originally damaged it when running a marathon and then twisted it when skiing last easter. it's not painful but it does stiffen up if i go a few days without running or cycling. i don't think there's anything wrong with it as such but I'd like to try to support it for the coming season so it doesn't get any worse. Can anyone recommend any good knee supports or exercises I could do to look after it? Thanks 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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lablanca, if you do not have a specific problem (ACL deficient, meniscus tears, arthritis or luxation of the knee cap), do not wear a support. It just fools you into thinking you are alright. Better to do a lot focussed exercise and strength building work between now and your trip.
Otherwise a simple neoprene or similar sleeve will provide the warmth if it is the cold that causes your discomfort.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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rob and sharon, Hi, I've just had a look at both websites and was very impressed. Did you have consultation and fitting and if so, was it expensive? Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Samerberg Sue, you are talking sense, although strapping and braces can give usefull proprioceptive feed back
lablanca, Would it not be better to have your knee examined by someone who knows what they are talking about? (preferably by someone who does not have a vested inerest in selling you an expensive knee brace)
Happy Skiing
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thanks guys... i think the problem might be to do with the muscles behind my knee cap knotting up (that's what i was told by a sports masseuse who did some work on it, but that was before i twisted it). i've just moved to france now and not sure if i could get a knee exam on their national health? or even if i could, if i would understand what the doctor was saying!
maybe knee-strengthening excercises would be the way forward, though those ossur braces do look pretty impressive!
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I have a problem similar to yours but it is not specific to knees. It happens in hips, knees and ankles. After trying many remedies, and studying the cause of muscle pain, I discovered that the best treatment is to apply heat after exercise for a few days.
A hot water bottle placed on hips, knees, and ankles gets the blood flowing and removes any toxins and any build up of blockages which causes the perception of pain. If you are careful, you could also try gently massaging the area after heating it up. It is very easy to over massage, and you will find that this actually does more damage than was there in the first place. Just a gently rub is enough.
Certainly any exercise which caused blood to flow into the area would strengthen and relieve pain.
Wearing compression bandages, or neoprene supports, increase the blood flow into that area whilst exercising. Much of the pain you perceive will be due to bad blood circulation in that area. Wearing these supports helps ensure that there will be less of a reaction when you rest. The toxins and blockages will be flushed out by the exercise!
I should say that skiing rarely causes these pains, and cycling does not either. In fact both have a positive effect, in that my legs feel revived after skiing or cycling. Jogging, or fast walking (or wearing the wrong shoes), tend to cause the problems. For me it could be some ankle weakness, which does not cause any problems when cycling or skiing (due to the support from boots).
For you it seems it is more specificly related to a muscle weakness and trauma to one knee. Strengthening that knee might help longer term, as there will currently be an inbalance. For short term pain relief refer to my earlier comments.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Samerberg Sue wrote: |
lablanca, if you do not have a specific problem (ACL deficient, meniscus tears, arthritis or luxation of the knee cap), do not wear a support. It just fools you into thinking you are alright. Better to do a lot focussed exercise and strength building work between now and your trip.
Otherwise a simple neoprene or similar sleeve will provide the warmth if it is the cold that causes your discomfort. |
This.
My physio recommended me to ditch the supports as I was doing more damage to the knee wearing them (I have the brace ones) followed the physios simple exercise routines and these really helped - last exercise he gave me was standing on one leg (the problem knee) arms out for balance and eyes closed - simple but really does work for strengthening the ligaments in the knee.
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I just bought a pair of orthotic sports insoles, they seem to improve how I feel immediately when walking. I'll let you know if there is any dramatic improvement which results in my trying jogging again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'm regularly stretching my left leg now as well, and either this or the orthotic sports insoles do seem to be having some effect. The stretching of the left hamstring has the most noticeable impact at all areas of irritation (knee, hip and ankle). There is some improvement already and this is only 10 days.
I think I may have one leg longer than the other, which is why stretching one leg seems to help.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| lablanca wrote: |
thanks guys... i think the problem might be to do with the muscles behind my knee cap knotting up (that's what i was told by a sports masseuse who did some work on it, but that was before i twisted it). i've just moved to france now and not sure if i could get a knee exam on their national health? or even if i could, if i would understand what the doctor was saying!
maybe knee-strengthening excercises would be the way forward, though those ossur braces do look pretty impressive! |
If the pain persist I would suggest to go see a doctor. Full clinical examination will help you deal with it and let you get the treatment accordingly.
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Can't beat a standard cheapo tubigrip.
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You know it makes sense.
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Do them ski mojo systems work? Suppose to reduce stress on the legs up to 30+%..... I've never seen one being used though.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I skied with a Swiss instructor who used one, who rated it; I was aware that there was something different about the leg carriage but they were able to demonstrate good short radius and carving wearing it. Without it due to injury they could not ski for very long at all.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi YES they do work (I work for them so I would say that but, so too do virually all the people who have ever bought/used one) Sparkes123,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I too am having stiff knee when skiing first thought that it was just one o those things but my knee started to lock later found out that I was suffering from lcl knee injury (found this quite useful) I dont know how it happened.. cannot remember hitting my lateral collateral ligament at all on anything.. maybe it just slipped into a bad position without me noticing from bad form. anyway does anyone know if this type of injury needs custom knee supports or not.. been looking online cannot find i they even exist. Or are knee support only cover up the issue and I need to look at just restrengthening the knee through physio? thanks.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| lablanca wrote: |
| I've had a pretty stiff knee for a couple of years... originally damaged it when running a marathon and then twisted it when skiing last easter. it's not painful but it does stiffen up if i go a few days without running or cycling. i don't think there's anything wrong with it as such but I'd like to try to support it for the coming season so it doesn't get any worse. Can anyone recommend any good knee supports or exercises I could do to look after it? Thanks |
Best support for a dodgy knee is strengthening and balance work.
Tedious , i know, but well evidenced.
If the knee is a bit worn a support can help but no need to go expensive, simple knee sleeve, no hinges is all that is required.
That is because they work by squeezing the knee a little which helps the brain register the movements better.
I did put up a strength programme last year on our website which may help https://www.facebook.com/wimbledonclinics
Jonathan
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I tried many things for my knees, and eventually I stumbled upon a miracle cure. I used a foam roller on my illiotibial band, and a shiatsu massage cushion on my hamstring. This seems to make the patella track properly, and as well as stopping anything which makes these tendons and muscles tight, it has been for the most part completely cured.
I never got this diagnosed. However, a sports shoe salesman had a look at my gait, and suggested that one leg might be longer than the other. I translated that as my muscles were tight on one leg. This was certainly true.
Problem solved!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
I used a foam roller on my illiotibial band
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Sore? 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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It was in places, but then it improves. Apparantly, you are meant to roll slowly over the illiotibial band until you find it painful. Then hold it where the pain is for a few minutes. Anyway, seemed to work for me.
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