Bad knee – advice please

[TracyS]

I tore my miniscus and sprained my MCL June 1st of this year. I got an MRI to confirm the damage. Surgery is optional based on how much pain I have. I have decided not to get surgery. Instead I bought a brace from Donjoy. They have all sorts of models, but I bought the next best thing to a custom brace, which is called the Armor. I went to their website and used their guide for measuring my knee, then I purchased on on ebay for $160. I started kiting the day I received it on the mail, which was exactly 4 weeks from the day of my injury.

It has been a few months now and I kite almost every day with my brace. I have met a few others who said they used Donjoy for a few years but they prefer the CTi. I am thinking about getting a CTi now.

The Armor works decently. The only problems I notice are that the velcro loosens up when I get it wet and I have to adjust it often. And when I jump and have some hard landings, the brace gets all tweaked up. I assume that is to be expected.

Great info, can you please provide me with the websites for the braces you recommend


I have slight pain still. but nothing that holds me back. I do sometimes tweak it a bit if I lose my board and my ankle twists, even while wearing the brace.

http://www.djoglobal.com/products/donjoy/armor
http://www.betterbraces.com/donjoy-armo ... art-anchor
http://www.betterbraces.com/donjoy-armo ... video-size

http://www.ctikneebraces.co.uk

[Larse]

A physio is a good idea
Surf board/skim board is a good idea
Braces is a really good idea

But don't forget rehab!!

Here is a link to injuries and rehab regarding kiteboarding: http://www.kiteboardingexercises.com/in ... &Itemid=79

[TracyS]

A physio is a good idea
Surf board/skim board is a good idea
Braces is a really good idea

But don't forget rehab!!

Here is a link to injuries and rehab regarding kiteboarding: http://www.kiteboardingexercises.com/in ... &Itemid=79

Thanks for that link! The pool did wonders for my knee, but this looks great.

[Caesar]

Hiya,

I often had the same knee pain when kiting over 20 minutes. I kite twintips on mostly choppy conditions. Then I changed to a softer board. I haven't had knee pain since (I tried and purchased the Shinn Monk).
Try out a softer board and you will be amazed (and you confirmed you don't have pain on a surfboard).

Cheers
Caesar

[topmick]

Here,s one more link.... (got rid of my tennis elbows)

http://kite2012.com/kite-injury/

[dt73775]

Motocross kneebraces are the best in the world and still provide good motion. I have seen some pictures of some pro kiteboarders use the Asterisk Cell or Ultra . Most of them are expensive , around 300 to 400 bucks each, but well worth it. Completely composite so no rust and I think the Ultra has no velcro. Just remember, when you put this on, you truly cannot twist or over pronate your knee, you can only bend it . When you start to twist your leg, instead of the knee taking the brunt of the transfer force, the brace which is clamp to your thigh will transfer it to your calf completely bypassing the knee. Check it out, who ever designed these things knew what they were doing

[fdvj]

I also used to get Knee pain that you described, I thought I might have to give up riding a TT but after trying a Shinn Monk the pain went away. Alsothe right kind of pads Is very important, I am using the Ocean rodeo style pads with Mystic straps, this combo gives me great confidence in keeping the board on my feet but allows enough freedom to twist the angle of my feet on each tack into a more natural relaxed position, which really helps with taking the stress of the back knee.

[nicor]

I also used to get Knee pain that you described, I thought I might have to give up riding a TT but after trying a Shinn Monk the pain went away. Alsothe right kind of pads Is very important, I am using the Ocean rodeo style pads with Mystic straps, this combo gives me great confidence in keeping the board on my feet but allows enough freedom to twist the angle of my feet on each tack into a more natural relaxed position, which really helps with taking the stress of the back knee.

Thanks all for your help.

Have a appointment with my sport physician in a couple of weeks.

What I have found is if I ride powered (on a TT) and fast my knee gets really aggraved. Its almost seems the worst when I'm going quick in the chop. If I slow down and I turn my knee inwards I have little pain the next day. This is why I think it's the twisting which might be the problem, or it could be the vibration in the join itself. This is why I was thinking of reducing the duck position in my stance.

The Monk was one board I had considered to help when i switched out my board recently, but it was not available where I lived last year. I went with a rocked nobile and I love the board, but it gets me going over the chop so fast I now wonder if this might be contributing to the problem. I would consider a monk now, and I believe it's available in my area.

[Caesar]

I would consider a monk now, and I believe it's available in my area.

Ask your dealer if you can lend one, ride it and I'm sure you wont have knee pain the next day.

Cheers
Caesar

PS: Not affiliated with M. Shinn whatsoever, just helping...

[mr moon]

Hey buddy, I have dealt with a bad knee most of my life, due to a PCL breakage and rebuild many years ago... I've never let this weakness stop me from pursuing what I like most in life: extreme sports, especially board sports
I've written several posts in this and other forums looking for technical solutions such as TT and surfboards types, down to foot pads quality and vibration / shock absorption.
The only way to ride for me is with my weak knee at the front (back leg being the strong one). I snowboard, skateboard, surf and kite this way, and my sessions seem to be the longest either on the beach or mountain . This is because you always charge with your weight your back leg, especially on landings..
TTs are generally bad for knees due the high vibrations and the non-hydrodynamic edge profile: tt are square boards which are dragged at an angle unlike surfboards: are boats shaped like TTs or surfboards.. ? Despite that, you can drastically improve things with a good freeride / all-terrain board and some comfy footpads. After testing several boards and pads I've finally found my luck on the Wainman Blunt, as it gives you an amazingly smooth ride even in chop / onshore mush / white water breaks, with no spray and incredibly soft landings. This board actually gave me the confidence not only of jumping, but even going hiGH! (I've never thought even to be able to jump with my weak knee).
Strapped surfboards can be much worse than TTs due to the high vibrations and stiffness of the deck . I go strapless most of the times and love it . As a freerider I love the 'feel free' feeling of riding strapelss, you'll know if / when you've tried it. This is possibly the best ride for your knees, there is literally no twist on your feet / legs as they are entirely free from the board. The vibrations are still there though and I'm working on how to reduce them Surfboards are stiff and kite-surfboards even stiffer.
I strongly advise an hinged knee brace, as it will help to prevent twisting / stretching of the knee.
I always ride with a neoprene hinged knee support, just to have that extra comfort and peace of mind and it also slow down my knee tiredness after hours of riding !
Get yourself a good specialist and physiotherapist, it will be a good investment
I wish you all the best, and hope that this might help you.