how do you know if you need to wear a knee brace?

Discussion in 'Injuries' started by Timtimtim, Nov 12, 2017.

  1. Timtimtim

    Timtimtim Regular Member

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    I'm in my early 20's, but I play on (thin-ish) mats rolled out over concrete, and sometimes my knees hurt. What should I look for in deciding whether or not to start wearing some sort of knee support?
     
  2. InvincibleAjay

    InvincibleAjay Regular Member

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    Probably look at your shoes first and make sure you have adequate cushioning. IMO you shouldn't be needing knee braces at your age.

    Kindest regards,

    -Ajay-

    Quote of the Day
    Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
     
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  3. shreyas666

    shreyas666 Regular Member

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    add some gel insoles and wear extra socks for more cushioning! and surely you're wearing stable shoes?
    you can try calf sleeves!
     
  4. Borkya

    Borkya Regular Member

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    If you have to ask.... ;)

    Just try wearing one while playing once and see if it helps.
     
  5. swsh

    swsh Regular Member

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    I just turned 20 myself as well and ended up with jumper's knee. My issue was jumping too much with old shoes that were a bit too big on hard synthetic over concrete floors where I used to play. I also thought as well hey nothing could happen I'm young and let it get worse.

    I've found insoles more of a culprit for this than just shoes themselves. I currently use thin gel insoles (to reduce the weight of the shoe and leave it rather functional compared to normal gel insoles which are too heavy) and had to wear a patellar strap for a month. Compression sleeves help get you back to your previous state from what I've found out but you need to take care of the reason why you're having the issue in the first place as well. I think it was charlie who said the issue was insoles when it was my case.
     
  6. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    thin mat over concrete is a recipe for knee injury. even at your 20's. ebay some gel inserts if you really have to play there, otherwise, find a different place to play.

    we have a local club which has 7mm surface over concrete. my knee hurts every time i play there.

    now I try to avoid going there and instead another club which has mat over suspended wood flooring. the knees are not getting any younger.
     
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  7. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    Definitely need better insoles if playing on such harder floors. Look into getting Spenco Polysorb Cross Trainer insoles on Amazon.
     
  8. latecomer

    latecomer Regular Member

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    Agree with BC janitor, change club. Why doing things which are hurting yourself? Knee pain has no cure.
     
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  9. badmintony

    badmintony Regular Member

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    Every time you play, just for maximum protection. You can never really tell when and how you'll gonna figure in an injury, so always better safe than sorry.
     
  10. Fidget

    Fidget Regular Member

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    With respect: The argument to use a device "just to be safe" is faulty.

    1) How do you know that a device is going to help the problem?
    eg. A sleeve-type knee brace can give a little lateral support to the surrounding tissues, but in no way cushions the cartilage from jumping on a hard floor.

    2) What if the device actually aggravates the problem?
    eg. Wearing a brace too often can lead to muscle wasting, which actually weakens the knee.

    ___
     
  11. Weserew

    Weserew New Member

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    What kind of sneakers do you wear?
     
  12. daneferrari

    daneferrari New Member

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    I used to play soccer professionally, but I have varicose veins and am not allowed to exercise my legs. However, I sometimes play soccer all the same and lately my girlfriend and I are into badminton. I play with a bandage on my leg and everything was fine, but lately I started to feel stabbing pains. Does anyone have any ideas?
     
  13. Arisuin

    Arisuin Regular Member

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    Bluntly, rest. If it gets no better, I'd consult a doctor.

    Ice helps too. If you're doing a lot of jumping, stop. Always make sure to stretch before and after.
     

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