HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I'm currently waiting until my MRI comes back but am going to possibly wearing a brace after knee surgery.I want to know what my best options are for shin guards for those who wear knee braces or have had knee surgery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 Two surgeries and numerous hours of rehab here.Best shins in my opinion are the older style supreme shin pads... although they are a little heavier, they are wider and your knee guards should be able to fit in with no prob. I currently use a pair of NME Nine-1 shin pads, very protective but I wish were slightly deeper.Knee brace wise, if your insurance can cover the custom option , go with that. If not, I've found that Innovation Sports (now I think bought out by Muller) make very solid knee braces. Even their off the shelf C180 is pretty solid. I wore the same knee braces for soccer and hockey a total of 3 times a week, and on more than one occasion its saved my knees.Dont just rely on the knee braces though, make sure you bulk up your leg muscles... hammys, quads and calf muscles.It will take a while to get used to wearing a brace, but once you do you wont know its there. I wont play without them, even if I end up at the rink and have forgotten them I wont play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I wore a Donjoy Defiance III rigid brace for close to a year after ACL reconstruction and then a Donjoy Playmaker (soft brace) for a few months. No pad I tried fit well enough over the rigid brace to spend the money on. What I ended up doing was modifying my existing pad. I removed some padding to make way for the straps and cut the knee cap so it would flex around the hinge of the brace. It was really easy and worked very well. You need a wide deep knee cup other wise it will seem way too bulky.A few things worth mentioning. I ditched the rigid brace as soon as I could. I didn't want to become reliant on it. I didn't go through surgery and rehab to be stuck in that thing the rest of my life. Second, Donjoy makes the best braces on the market, period. There are no equals, only seconds. Take a look at any college football linemen and they all wear Donjoy, same goes for the pros. You may not have a choice, but if you do go with a Donjoy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeamHonda401 54 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I injured my knee in a dirt bike crash, and asterisk makes some stellar braces. A bit on the pricy side, but the mobility and support are the best I have seen. As far as supporting the knee during a crash, almost every pro dirt biker wears asterisk braces. They are a bit bulky, but your knee isn't going anywhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regularjoe 1 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I hurt my knee last summer and had to wear a brace with hinged support at the side of the joint.I had a Rbk 4k as my reserve shinnies and found that fit the best (not perfect). If the Rbk fit hasn't changed too much with the current models, you could give those a try. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I injured my knee in a dirt bike crash, and asterisk makes some stellar braces. A bit on the pricy side, but the mobility and support are the best I have seen. As far as supporting the knee during a crash, almost every pro dirt biker wears asterisk braces. They are a bit bulky, but your knee isn't going anywhere.Not really what the OP is asking. Those braces are designed to prevent injury, not support the knee post surgery. Two totally different beasts. Hopefully the OP won't have to shop for his own brace. If it's needed, the surgeon will tell him what he needs and he'll be fitted by a professional. Especially when we're talking about something in the $400 - $800 range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bostonjuniorblackhawks 1 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 For what's available now, CCM shin pads hands down.Currently wear a donjoy playmaker now and it fits decently. Had a rigid brace before that and the fit was terrible, but it doesn't matter what pad I used.If you can get something like the playmaker brace, anything rigid is just a pain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EBondo 242 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 Agreed. I have been using a DonJoy brace on my right knee for six years now, and a sleeve brace on my left knee (countless dislocations, torn ACL as well). I found that the older Supreme shin guards were perfect. Although it'll be next to impossible to find them, I'm using the Supreme 70's.Two surgeries and numerous hours of rehab here.Best shins in my opinion are the older style supreme shin pads... although they are a little heavier, they are wider and your knee guards should be able to fit in with no prob. I currently use a pair of NME Nine-1 shin pads, very protective but I wish were slightly deeper.Knee brace wise, if your insurance can cover the custom option , go with that. If not, I've found that Innovation Sports (now I think bought out by Muller) make very solid knee braces. Even their off the shelf C180 is pretty solid. I wore the same knee braces for soccer and hockey a total of 3 times a week, and on more than one occasion its saved my knees.Dont just rely on the knee braces though, make sure you bulk up your leg muscles... hammys, quads and calf muscles.It will take a while to get used to wearing a brace, but once you do you wont know its there. I wont play without them, even if I end up at the rink and have forgotten them I wont play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 I appreciate all the feedback guys. I have great health benefits and will definitely get the best I can get. Has anyone changed their shot since surgery?Since my left knee is the one in question, I've found myself favouring left handed shots and batting left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NextBobbyOrr 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I injured my mcl this year, don`t even know the type of brace I used...but I was looking for shins with a bit more depth/"volume", if you`d like to call it that. (To accomodate the brace). I liked both CCM and Rbk pads, I went with old 9k`s. Bauer`s were great as well, only reason I went with 9k`s is how it felt on my other leg too(without brace). Just more comfortable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Not going to get into a pissing contest about knee braces and which one is better. Do the same as you would skates... try them all on and see which one fits you best. Like feet, everyone's legs are different (muscles etc). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Not going to get into a pissing contest about knee braces and which one is better. Do the same as you would skates... try them all on and see which one fits you best. Like feet, everyone's legs are different (muscles etc).No offense (and I mean that), but that's not the best advice. It's not up to the patient to choose what brace they want to wear. It's the Dr's job to prescribe the proper brace based on the injury and the patients needs. If my orthopedic surgeon let me choose, I'd choose another doctor.In my experience when it comes to rigid knee braces, you don't try them on, you're fitted for one. Sometimes the most comfortable isn't always what's best medically. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGasman 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I injured my knee in a dirt bike crash, and asterisk makes some stellar braces. A bit on the pricy side, but the mobility and support are the best I have seen. As far as supporting the knee during a crash, almost every pro dirt biker wears asterisk braces. They are a bit bulky, but your knee isn't going anywhere.I have gone threw a few sets from them as well, top notch. I cant see wearing them under shin guards though because they are so bulky. Do you just use them as a replacement for you pads? I also wonder if their parent company, CTI, could custom make something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrhky36 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 when you got to get fitted for your brace take your skate and shin pad. that way you will get a feel of how the brace will fit with what you already have. it will also serve to see if the lower part of the brace interferres with you skate. when i was fitted for my brace (berg fusion xt) the fitter told me to bring my skate and shin pad. he had fitted alot of hockey player. i also had to do a minor mod to my shin pad (bauer 5000). i heated it up amd widened it ou a bit and it worked great. agree that you should try all that you can before you get the one your going to wear. be awere that the shop may need to order one for you. the dr. won't tell you you need a certian one only that you need a derotational brace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Not going to get into a pissing contest about knee braces and which one is better. Do the same as you would skates... try them all on and see which one fits you best. Like feet, everyone's legs are different (muscles etc).normally I'd agree but the chances of trying on several braces (likely be custom fitted too) and shin pads will be next to impossible.But I do have Bauer Supreme One15s right now and was maybe thinking giving Tron's pads a shot.Does anyone know who makes Tron's gear? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bostonjuniorblackhawks 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 normally I'd agree but the chances of trying on several braces (likely be custom fitted too) and shin pads will be next to impossible.But I do have Bauer Supreme One15s right now and was maybe thinking giving Tron's pads a shot.Does anyone know who makes Tron's gear?those look like they wouldn't fit very well over a brace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Valid points, I'm just stating based on my own experience. I guess I was lucky enough that they allowed me to try on 4-5 different brands/models before we went with one. I already had some models in mind before going after doing some of my own research, and it married up with what the doc was going to suggest.Best of luck with the knee... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Race4LastPlace 31 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Reebok/jofa shin guards do very well with braces. Thats what was recommended to me by JR after i had knee surgery and had to wear a brace, and it has fit and protected very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VakarLajos 5 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Used 2 knee braces from Absolute Athletics (http://bungapads.com/bunga-knee-brace-patellar-knee-support.html) with Bauer Lightspeed shins (current Bauer Pro). Roomy enough to fit the brace, but not so wide that i felt like my shins weren't snug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Valid points, I'm just stating based on my own experience. I guess I was lucky enough that they allowed me to try on 4-5 different brands/models before we went with one. I already had some models in mind before going after doing some of my own research, and it married up with what the doc was going to suggest.Best of luck with the knee...Thanks, I hope I can try several braces and see how they fit, I may go with some Bauer Pros based on the feedback Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 I asked Michael Grabner and he provided the following:@grabs40 "@HockeySavants sorry brother can't help you on that.I am fortunate that I don't have to wear that yet. guys usual just cut some parts out tho and make them fit in there.I have seen that." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 8 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 My left knee has always given me issues (got Dad's bad knees) and it has felt unstable lately. My PCL is giving me a slight warm sensation the past couple days, but I'm wearing a knee wrap on it at the moment and will try to play on it tonight. I figure if something happens, it happens. With the way my knee has felt recently, it's going to happen sometime anyway. :( I'll be referencing this thread to find a good knee brace after I see a doctor about mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 17, 2011 Ok update from the MRI results:MRI results are back: I'll need surgery to remove calcium deposits that do not allow my patella to sit correctly. On the DL 6-8 weeks and need physical therapy. Hurray?On a side note the doc said I may not need a heavy knee brace and may just be fine with a patella support. So I'm really hoping he's right. He's apparently the best knee expert East TN/Tri-Cities and have heard good things from football (ETSU) players around here. He said I should have no problem going back to lacrosse/hockey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeySavants 5 Report post Posted May 26, 2011 I'm currently recovering from the surgery and the good news is that my PT says I won't even need a brace when it is all said and done (6-8 weeks), but they fit me with a brace meanwhile.And I tried my friend's Bauer Pros and they work great. I haven't attempted any skating obviously but for those wondering, that's a good recommendation.I may still wear a patella stabiliser however just to be safe when I play sports Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted May 26, 2011 Sounds like good news then. Good luck with the recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
