Best knee braces for OA

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

What are the best hockey braces for arthritis? 

[stick9 890]

Litterly tons of info here on knee braces. I suggest using the search function. 

[caveman27 208]

19 hours ago, ProfessorBarDownski said:

What are the best hockey braces for arthritis? 

I prefer neoprene braces with patella cutout. Bike, Futuro or McDavid. Nothing expensive crazy, like around $20-$40.

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

2 hours ago, stick9 said:

Litterly tons of info here on knee braces. I suggest using the search function. 

I understand I just wanted more opinions.. 

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

2 hours ago, caveman27 said:

I prefer neoprene braces with patella cutout. Bike, Futuro or McDavid. Nothing expensive crazy, like around $20-$40.

With or without bilateral hinges ?

[caveman27 208]

1 hour ago, ProfessorBarDownski said:

With or without bilateral hinges ?

Without

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

Any reason why it’s better without?

[stick9 890]

I find soft hinged braces to be pointless.

Anyway... What did your doctor recommend?

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

4 hours ago, stick9 said:

I find soft hinged braces to be pointless.

Anyway... What did your doctor recommend?

She recommended me to find something with compression but nothing serious. 

[jeffg 13]

I had arthritis in both knees and went through several braces and cortisone shots before final getting TKR in both knees.  Any light compression knit/elastic brace from the local pharmacy will work, just don't get them too tight or they interfere with you skating.  FYI you can play again after TKR.  I did it in 4months, but it involved dedication to doing the therapy I was given and time in the gym building back leg strength

 

I used these: uflex athletics knee compression sleeve (amazon)

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

How do your knees feel after TKR on the ice ?

[jeffg 13]

it took several stick and puck sessions to get balance back and the ability to stop.  I lost a lot of lateral mobility, but at age 58 I didn't have alot of that left anyway.  I  could play men's league without pain and still compete, which made me happy

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

I’m happy for you. I got a long way to go lol. 

[stick9 890]

14 hours ago, ProfessorBarDownski said:

She recommended me to find something with compression but nothing serious. 

Least you got plenty of options. I've used the ShockDoctor compression sleeve in the past. It worked well for hockey. 

[bvictor 0]

On 6/21/2021 at 6:06 PM, ProfessorBarDownski said:

She recommended me to find something with compression but nothing serious. 

I would absolutely look into something like the Rehband or Rogue 3mm/5mm compression knee sleeves, depending on how much support you actually want.  Don't go 7mm though - those are really specifically made for weight training.  I personally use Rogue 3mm sleeves, they provide warmth/slight support while not really being uncomfortable/intrusive with gear on.

Edited June 24, 2021 by bvictor

[stick9 890]

This is the brace I was looking into. It's a little pricey for occasional use.

https://www.bauerfeind.com/b2c/Products/Knee-Braces/GenuTrain®-Knee-Brace/p/YPBF_BAK_GENUTR

BTW - I have seen an off brand version for about half the price.

[marka 526]

Howdy,

I don't know what characteristics you'd want for arthritis, but I use a shock doctor 875.  Compression w/straps, plus metal hinges.

In my case I have a torn meniscus from a number of years ago that was unable to be repaired due to lack of blood flow.  Its a "just live with it" injury for the most part, though they can do arthroscopic surgery to clean up the edges of the tear if they're irritating the area.  In my case, I opted not to do the surgery because it started feeling better between diagnosis and when the surgery was scheduled so I put it off.  That was >10 years ago.

For me, my knee hurts when running (to the point I don't do that), but skating is just minor pain.  I started wearing the brace after I started playing hockey (started at 45/46, about 6 years ago).  After about a year of skating a decent bit, I could feel my joint "loosening up", not in a good way.  Started wearing the brace all the time and that went away.

Its a bit bulky, particularly when putting it on and putting shins over it, but I don't notice it on the ice.  YMMV.

For reffing, I don't wear it and haven't noticed any ill effects.  Often on the ice for 3 hours at a go for reffing, but you're not skating like you do as a player then.

Mark

(I also proactively take ibuprofen prior to reffing and skating, fwiw)

edit:  I've tried other braces...  Shock doctor non-hinged as well as a Don Joy Reaction Web brace.  They've all been slightly less bulky, but not enough to make a difference as to how gear fits.  The Reaction Web brace was uncomfortable in terms of pinching skin.  All of them have also felt less supportive.

Edited June 26, 2021 by marka

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

13 hours ago, marka said:

Howdy,

I don't know what characteristics you'd want for arthritis, but I use a shock doctor 875.  Compression w/straps, plus metal hinges.

In my case I have a torn meniscus from a number of years ago that was unable to be repaired due to lack of blood flow.  Its a "just live with it" injury for the most part, though they can do arthroscopic surgery to clean up the edges of the tear if they're irritating the area.  In my case, I opted not to do the surgery because it started feeling better between diagnosis and when the surgery was scheduled so I put it off.  That was >10 years ago.

For me, my knee hurts when running (to the point I don't do that), but skating is just minor pain.  I started wearing the brace after I started playing hockey (started at 45/46, about 6 years ago).  After about a year of skating a decent bit, I could feel my joint "loosening up", not in a good way.  Started wearing the brace all the time and that went away.

Its a bit bulky, particularly when putting it on and putting shins over it, but I don't notice it on the ice.  YMMV.

For reffing, I don't wear it and haven't noticed any ill effects.  Often on the ice for 3 hours at a go for reffing, but you're not skating like you do as a player then.

Mark

(I also proactively take ibuprofen prior to reffing and skating, fwiw)

edit:  I've tried other braces...  Shock doctor non-hinged as well as a Don Joy Reaction Web brace.  They've all been slightly less bulky, but not enough to make a difference as to how gear fits.  The Reaction Web brace was uncomfortable in terms of pinching skin.  All of them have also felt less supportive.

Do you do any phsyio for ur knees ? I found it helps a lot it’s just some exercises I do at home before stepping on the ice or working out. 

[marka 526]

Howdy,

9 hours ago, ProfessorBarDownski said:

Do you do any phsyio for ur knees ? I found it helps a lot it’s just some exercises I do at home before stepping on the ice or working out. 

Basically no, I don't.  Which is probably dumb.  With the ibuprofen and knee brace, my knee never hurts beyond the "hell, my knee hurts a bit" stage.  Its not limiting (hockey wise... It definitely limits in terms of running.  But I hated running before I screwed up my knee so...)

That said, is there a set of exercises you finds helps?

Mark

[ProfessorBarDownski 11]

13 hours ago, marka said:

Howdy,

Basically no, I don't.  Which is probably dumb.  With the ibuprofen and knee brace, my knee never hurts beyond the "hell, my knee hurts a bit" stage.  Its not limiting (hockey wise... It definitely limits in terms of running.  But I hated running before I screwed up my knee so...)

That said, is there a set of exercises you finds helps?

Mark

Yes lots of stretching, rolling on the foam roller, I use rubber bands to target specific muscles around the knee, but exercises that work for me might not work for you, or they might do more damage to your condition. Talk to a physiotherapist brother, u wouldn’t need ibuprofen or anything if you have a physiotherapist write you up a program to follow before skating , after skating and on days you aren’t on the ice. 

[caveman27 208]

On 6/21/2021 at 12:02 AM, ProfessorBarDownski said:

Any reason why it’s better without?

The neoprene sleeves aren't really doing the kind of knee support like from a heavy-duty, prescription-type of knee brace like a Breg brace, which I got after an ACL reconstruction surgery. To me, it's like extra useless weight, as I've had them. They are providing knee warmth to the ligaments and muscles in that area and the compression helps to give a supportive feel, kind of like athletic tape but with more give. Not too long before I gave up hockey, I was putting hockey tape around my knee below the knee cap over thermal underwear. On top of that, I would wear a neoprene knee support, and then of course, my shin guard over that.

[bvictor 0]

On 6/25/2021 at 9:45 AM, stick9 said:

This is the brace I was looking into. It's a little pricey for occasional use.

https://www.bauerfeind.com/b2c/Products/Knee-Braces/GenuTrain®-Knee-Brace/p/YPBF_BAK_GENUTR

BTW - I have seen an off brand version for about half the price.

you'll get way more for your money with some basic 3mm neoprene knee sleeves.  Products like that are so overpriced and don't actually do much of anything above and beyond basic compression/warmth.  I've been dealing with osteoarthritis for a very long time (2 ACL recon - first was 25 years ago now - a 3rd tear that wasn't repaired, and pending knee replacement when I can't live with it anymore).  If you're looking at actual support you need to see a knee specialist and get a real brace - which will likely be bulky and you won't want to wear it under your pads.

Edited June 30, 2021 by bvictor

[stick9 890]

2 hours ago, bvictor said:

you'll get way more for your money with some basic 3mm neoprene knee sleeves.  Products like that are so overpriced and don't actually do much of anything above and beyond basic compression/warmth.  I've been dealing with osteoarthritis for a very long time (2 ACL recon - first was 25 years ago now - a 3rd tear that wasn't repaired, and pending knee replacement when I can't live with it anymore).  If you're looking at actual support you need to see a knee specialist and get a real brace - which will likely be bulky and you won't want to wear it under your pads.

Way ahead of you. Already had my ACL done once and various other minor sprains and tears. I deal with bouts of soreness and stiffness from time to time. That's when I wear a thin neoprene brace. Otherwise, I don't use anything, even on the knee that had the ACL recon.