 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm expecting some knee pain in my Easter trip, mainly as I'm getting older, not skied much for a while, and my knees are generally more 'achy' then in my 20's, 30's or 40's. I'm fine with that, as it doesn't affect day to day life much, if at all.
I've picked up a couple of knee supports in advance, so should i wear them from day 1, almost as a preventative, or should i leave them off and see if some pain does occur?
Reading it back, it seems like a ridiculous question, but in my mind, it's a valid one... Any thoughts?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IME. Knee supports have minimal effect - maybe a bit of warmth and improved proprioception. What is more important is strength training/rolling out of the connecting muscles/taking anti-inflammatory medication for the week and ice if necessary.
I assume you got the cheaper elasticated sleeve or neoprene types.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sat 18-03-23 11:19; edited 1 time in total
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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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Wear all the time if you think it they will help. Voltarol every morning
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@SHAP, (I am not qualified in any way) (I'm assuming you don't actually have anything wrong with your knees?) ... what @ofb said. I'd (having blown my ACL in January, almost certainly partially due to reduced fitness and strength) be concentrating more on (re?)-developing knee strength. Maybe go see a physio to get specific exercises?
You don't want to (as I was unknowingly doing, I think) be about to rely on your ligaments to partially compensate for weak knees!!
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| Wear all the time if you think it they will help. Voltarol every morning |
To add...agree for strength training
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have "something" up with my right knee (or maybe its compensation for my left hip or vice/versa??).
Regardless, every time I have been on skis this year I have had ibuprofen gel on the knee and worn a pretty hefty strapping on the knee.
It may just be "in the heid" but it certainly helped me to relax and not be worried about it.
I think, when you get to a certain age, that you have to accept that not everything will be perfect - and whatever works for you is just fine.
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Hi @SHAP,
I wish I had used my knee braces on the first day of my ski holiday about a month ago.
I gave myself a bit of a knee injury on the first day .. I could carry on, but I knew it was not right.
I took the next day off amd limped around a bit wearing the knee braces.
I started sking the next day but my confidence was not where it should have been ... I was wearing the knee brace and I also normally use the Ski-Mojo system, I just wish I had had the kit on during the first day.
My knee seems to have recovered now to about 90%.
I'm 73 years old.
I suggest you get a couple of knee braces with a hinge from Decathalon or somewhere and see how you get on with them.
Have a good time!
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@Old Fartbag,
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a bit of warmth and improved proprioception.
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Worth their weight in gold for me for these two reasons alone. I agree with the rest of your post.
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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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Yes, agree with all the above. Didn't have my hefty knee brace in Italy a few weeks ago (couldn't find it on the eve of departure  ) and missed it. Felt a bit naked and vulnerable without it, even with copious voltarol!! I would probably have skied a bit more if I'd had it. I had done quite a lot of "strengthening" exercises but the knee is basically no good. It creaks and crepitates even getting in and out of a car.
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Only you will know and be able to find out the answer to this.
I'm still experimenting after 5 years (ACL, MCL, something still just irritated but no-one knows what it why). Mr G also has various irritations, bursitis, bashed around knees, 'patfem' issues.
We both sometimes think that the braces cause irritation (depends on design, strap placement & tightness), sometimes that they don't help at all, sometimes only wear once irritated - and then not 100% sure how much they help. Psychologically and for warmth they are nice, though.
I favour a spring-sided neoprene wrap around with straps below and above; but am thinking of getting a hinged one. Mr G favours compression sleeves with straps which cross over: though if behind the knee they can irritate too. I have rearranged the straps on one of these to get them from behind the knee and crossing laterally, and that's sometimes maybe felt supportive too.
As others have said, first point of call is a good physio, a check-over, and then as much strengthening as you can.
Then work out if you really need support, why, and what kind, and thus what type of brace.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
IME. Knee supports have minimal effect - maybe a bit of warmth and improved proprioception. What is more important is strength training/rolling out of the connecting muscles/taking anti-inflammatory medication for the week and ice if necessary.
I assume you got the cheaper elasticated sleeve or neoprene types. |
Totally agree, and some strength with is certainly something I'll be focusing on for the future.
Interesting comments all round really, so thanks all.
Nothing wrong, as such, with the knees, but having done more manual work this week than i would normally do, I've noticed a little twinge here and there. Preventative seems to be the best action.
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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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If the knee is stable..get a ski mojo.
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| If the knee is stable..get a ski mojo. |
That is a likely purchase for the '24 season I think.
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You know it makes sense.
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| SHAP wrote: |
| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| If the knee is stable..get a ski mojo. |
That is a likely purchase for the '24 season I think. |
Don't let me put you off getting a Mojo, if that is your wish.....but if there is nothing in particular wrong with your knees, then strengthening them and working on the muscles is likely all you need - I think getting the advise of a Physio is sensible. Only if that fails, look to a Mojo. I'm 63 and get odd twinges (who doesn't?) - that so far (Touch Wood) are only temporary.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sat 18-03-23 22:07; edited 1 time in total
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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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Don’t neglect ski technique also. As we age it is worth having a tune-up and thinking about adapting your skiing. It is possible to take a lot of the stress off knees in particular. Maybe try and find a sympathetic instructor who specialises in “oldies”? I have helped a few ageing friends in this way. Focussing on good core technique and reducing the impacts. Seems to have made quite a difference to their enjoyment.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| zikomo wrote: |
| Don’t neglect ski technique also. As we age it is worth having a tune-up and thinking about adapting your skiing. |
Years ago (nearly 30  ), when in the States - they were teaching "More Hip and less Knee" in the turns, precisely to help prevent the amount of knee injuries. That was on straight skis, though...
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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'd go for the elderly rugby player solution in winter, deep heat rubbed on first thing in the morning, then a double expresso.
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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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You can't have a Ski-Mojo until you have a Bus Pass 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I've had a Mojo for years and saw a good few on the slopes in France, all worn externally.
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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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@Frosty the Snowman, I've had mine since the storage heater incident. I can ski all day without issue. Forgot it once, buggered after an hour
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| @Frosty the Snowman, I've had mine since the storage heater incident. I can ski all day without issue. Forgot it once, buggered after an hour |
Occasionally I forget to engage it after a chairlift. After a couple of hundred metres I'm reminded of my mistake 
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@Frosty the Snowman, I keep mine engaged all the time..I should probably crank it up as I'm now a stone heavier
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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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I have a couple of ultrasound massagers. One is battery operated and works at a higher frequency than the larger mains operated one.
The small battery operated one is good for shallow ultrasound treatment such as around the knee where the tendons are shallow and not deep like hamstrings.
Works really well on cold stiff old knees that need a little oiling in the mornings. I do not use it anymore, as I run regularly and my knees are working fine.
I did use it maybe 5-10 years ago before a run, and would ice my knees after a run.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
Don't let me put you off getting a Mojo, if that is your wish.....but if there is nothing in particular wrong with your knees, then strengthening them and working on the muscles is likely all you need - I think getting the advise of a Physio is sensible. Only if that fails, look to a Mojo. I'm 63 and get odd twinges (who doesn't?) - that so far (Touch Wood) are only temporary. |
I think you're missing the point, or at least _a_ point, which is that for any given level of strength and fitness, the Mojo will allow you to ski harder for longer with less effort. Yes, they protect the knee as well, but only by helping to take a bit of pressured off the joint, they do nothing to stabilise the knee itself, so whether you have an 'active' injury or just want to avoid long-term wear on the joint they can still have a part to play.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you have an unstable joint then you need a brace that will be more expensive than a Mojo. A bit of neoprene type covering does nothing but ease the demons in your head.
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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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I was tipped backwards in a lift queue last week and my skis rotated as I was on my backside with legs in the air. I've done a little bit of damage to my left knee but I'm convinced that the mojo stopped my lower leg twisting too far and prevented a worse injury.
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| If you have an unstable joint then you need a brace that will be more expensive than a Mojo. A bit of neoprene type covering does nothing but ease the demons in your head. |
It does a bit more than that. Something to do with proprioception and the body using the extra inputs a straight compression bandage gives it.
See Jonathan Bells much better explanation than mine
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5048476&highlight=#5048476
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You know it makes sense.
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| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
Don't let me put you off getting a Mojo, if that is your wish.....but if there is nothing in particular wrong with your knees, then strengthening them and working on the muscles is likely all you need - I think getting the advise of a Physio is sensible. Only if that fails, look to a Mojo. I'm 63 and get odd twinges (who doesn't?) - that so far (Touch Wood) are only temporary. |
I think you're missing the point, or at least _a_ point, which is that for any given level of strength and fitness, the Mojo will allow you to ski harder for longer with less effort. Yes, they protect the knee as well, but only by helping to take a bit of pressured off the joint, they do nothing to stabilise the knee itself, so whether you have an 'active' injury or just want to avoid long-term wear on the joint they can still have a part to play. |
My view - is wherever possible, strengthen the body to cope with what it is being asked to do, rather than use extra support. If that is not possible/advisable (eg. see Physio for advice), then use that support - otherwise we would all be using Mojos.
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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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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| otherwise we would all be using Mojos. |
...and all benefitting from so doing 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Old Fartbag,
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I'm still fighting it
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Me too!
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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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I definitely think there us some warmth benefit from the neoprene ones. I have 2 , one of which has the side metals plates and hinges (that’s for the old motorbike accident leg).
The hinged one saved me in a powder day when my skis crossed under the snow, I lifted up above the cross, and waited for my left knee to buckle and the snap of ligaments. But it seemed / felt like I stayed hanging up in the air for ages , until something moved and I fell. Outcome was a very delicate calf where all the force went into, and several days later a bruise which went from the top of my foot to my buttock!
It was definitely a knee saver that day
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I wear quite heavy duty neoprene/ double metal hinged knee braces on both knees. Heavier duty on my left. Last day after 60km skiing the Ronda both ways in slush the previous day left knee felt a little weak; tightened the brace a bit + anti-inflammatories and it was fine for another 56km.
Both knees a little worn out after 25 years of rugby. Left knee was x rayed and doctor said he was surprised I could even walk.. arthritis in all 3 cavities.
So I wear the braces because I have to- not sure knees could stand anything other than gentlest slopes without.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sev112, @buchanan101, out of interest, which make/model/size of braces do you favour? (If you know.)
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FAQ
) to get on a chair, especially ones that are close to the ground. I have to switch them off. I've got the big one that's cranked up to the max 
