Knee support brace?

[ladyciel]

Any women out there who have used a comfortable knee/patella support that they would recommend? Input from guys is welcome, but I''m guessing comfort advice from women is probably more applicable.

I need to find a support that will help prevent the random flareups I get from my kneecaps after working out. Thanks!

 

[Skippy123]

I bought one and found it heavy so I just used a wrap and I feel it helps w/support. Hope your knee gets better; lots of ice helps too.
Something similar to this but found at Walgreens in beige http://www.colonialmedical.com/product.php?productid=19573

 

[ladyciel]

Hmm, thanks Skippy. I hadn''t thought to try one of those wraps - I already have one or two somewhere....

Yeah, I''ve been using ice packs - sitting here with one on it right now. It''s so frustrating to WANT to workout but know it''s a bad idea.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I was having the same issue, and I got two elastic knee "sleeves" from Walgreens that I wear for every workout. It makes such a difference! Even my "good" knee (translation: my less bad knee, LOL) feels great. It is really lightweight and not too hot. The only thing I notice is that I pull it up before I get on the elliptical machine or the treadmill and it takes a few steps to kind of settle into place, but I don''t mind it. I''ll look at the brand tonight on the tag and let you know what it is.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/20/2007 12:15:02 AM
Author: ladyciel
Hmm, thanks Skippy. I hadn''t thought to try one of those wraps - I already have one or two somewhere....

Yeah, I''ve been using ice packs - sitting here with one on it right now. It''s so frustrating to WANT to workout but know it''s a bad idea.

I hope you feel better soon. Can you change your workout to walking or the elliptical?

 

[ladyciel]

Even walking seems to be aggravating it now, and I can''t sit for very long either. It starts to ache too badly. Luckily I have no plans for the weekend except reading Harry Potter, so I can prop it up and give it some good rest. If it doesn''t get any better by Monday I''ll probably have to take a trip to the doctor. I''m guessing they won''t be able to tell me anything I don''t already know, though. Stupid knees. I''m too young for this!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/20/2007 8:42:51 PM
Author: ladyciel
Even walking seems to be aggravating it now, and I can''t sit for very long either. It starts to ache too badly. Luckily I have no plans for the weekend except reading Harry Potter, so I can prop it up and give it some good rest. If it doesn''t get any better by Monday I''ll probably have to take a trip to the doctor. I''m guessing they won''t be able to tell me anything I don''t already know, though. Stupid knees. I''m too young for this!

I just went through this. Don''t push yourself which, I did and it took longer to heal. Ice and heat. I am actually going to start physical therapy in a week and 1/2. Hugs and Rest.

 

[ladyciel]

So, I bought and tried a knee brace, and it fit so horribly that the 20 seconds I had it on seemed to make my knee WORSE.

Had to immediately get ice and be a couch potato for 30 minutes afterwards (instead of exercising like I was hoping). So, I decided to bite the bullet and spend a little more to get a brace designed to fit women. I tried it on at Target and it felt soooo much better than the Futuro one I bought first. I ended up ordering it from Amazon though, because the price difference was worth the wait (particularly since I got two). Thank goodness for people who realize men and women are NOT built the same.

Anyway, I''m sitting here feeling couped up, waiting for my braces to arrive on Monday so I can work out again. I''ve been pretty good about eating well (ok, except for Outback tonight... we couldn''t resist the bloomin'' onion

), so I haven''t really gained any weight during my workout hiatus, but I really want to get back on track w/ my fitness goals. I was doing so well before my knees decided to get old all of a sudden. Man do I hope these braces help...

 

[Dee*Jay]

Lady, did your new knee brace come? Sorry for taking so long to responde BTW, but I finally looked at mine and it is by Futuro (so really that''s no good to you since you didn''t like the Futuro one you tried). I''m really curious though to hear how the ones you ordered turn out. I can''t get the link to work; would you mind posting the brand?

 

[ladyciel]

The new braces are made by Wellgate for Women. I''ve only done one workout in them since I got them, but they definitely seemed to help and fit me so much better than the Futuro one. However, I think my shoes are contributing to my knee problem. I work out on carpet (only option in my apt), and I think the amount of tread on my current shoes is too putting too much strain on my knees as I swivel my feet for different moves. I ordered some Nike''s designed for dance cardio - they have a smooth spot at the ball of the foot for spins/turns - and I''m waiting for those to come before I do any more of my workout tapes.

In the meantime I''ve been doing some exercises in a book I got from the library on healing your knees. A mix of stretches and strengthening exercises that are meant to loosen up and balance out the muscles that affect your knee the most, including the ones that can pull your kneecap off-track (which I''m pretty sure is my problem).

I''m hoping that the at-home PT, braces, and new shoes will get my knees back in working order. I want to exercise again!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Lady, if you find the book to be useful would you please give the title? My knees are the bane of my existence and I''m always looking for a way to improve them...

I''m also going to look for the Wellgate braces--thanks for the tip!

 

[ladyciel]

Glad to help, DJ! The book is called "Heal Your Knees - How to prevent knee surgery and what to do if you need it", written by Robert Klapper and Lynda Huey. It has both water and land exercise programs. They say ideally you should do both, starting w/ the water, but that just land is OK if you don''t like water or don''t have access to a pool. Personally, I''m w/o a pool, so land it is. It does take some time commitment to get through all the exercises and reps, but I think I''m feeling the difference already.

I found the Wellgate braces at Target, so you might want to look there. I decided I could wait a bit before buying them, though, and saved some money by ordering through Amazon.