Lately MUni has been giving me pain right behind and around the left kneecap. This is the same knee I hit hard falling off a uni over a year ago. I’ve been to a doctor about it, and he suggested that the pain may consistent with changed geometry due to scar tissue near the tendon. The knee definately pops and clicks when I flex it.
Can anyone with knee problems suggest a solid knee brace that helps ease joint stress while unicycling?
Re: Knee support
On Sun, 9 Oct, entropy <> wrote:
>
> Lately MUni has been giving me pain right behind and around the left
> kneecap. This is the same knee I hit hard falling off a uni over a
> year ago. I’ve been to a doctor about it, and he suggested that the
> pain may consistent with changed geometry due to scar tissue near the
> tendon. The knee definately pops and clicks when I flex it.
>
> Can anyone with knee problems suggest a solid knee brace that helps
> ease joint stress while unicycling?
No, but as an alternative, have you tried to see a physiotherapist? I
have dodgy knee joints (twisted bones in the lower legs), and have had
knee pain on-and-off forever (well, last 25 years or so). Doctors are
rarely much use, but physiotherapists are much more likely to fix it,
in my experience.
A phsio is also much less likely to advise simply giving up your
choice of sport.
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funny you should post this. i am sitting at home with ice on my knee that is swollen from a pretty harsh uni ride yesterday. sounds like kinda the same thing…so i’d be interested in knowing what it is and if i can prevent it. thanks
-paul
Hopefully a medical person will respond. Also, do a search as there have been threads before.
I am speaking only from my personal experience, not any medical knowledge:
A good orthopedic surgeon will be able to tell you if there are any non-surgical treatments that will help you, and recommend a PT. It is best to ask several athletes in your area if they recommend a particular OS, one who isn’t surgery-happy.
It really sounds like your problem could possibly be patellar tracking, which can be greatly relieved by massaging around the kneecap and moving the kneecap side-to-side to stretch the connecting tissue. A PT can show you how to do it, and your doctor should have referred you to one if that’s what he thought it was, in my opinion.
They also make bands that can help hold the kneecap in the proper alignment.
Popping and especially “locking” can also mean meniscus damage which will get worse if not repaired, possibly resulting in the need for knee replacement. It’s worth getting it checked.
Assuming you are talking about a real “functional” knee brace as they are called, I think the best sports knee braces are made by Innovation Sports. I have the “Edge” model which I got post-op and wore for almost a year, but only occasionally now. The Innovation Sports carbon fiber frame models tend to fit closer and not catch on the uni frame like most metal frame models.
You really don’t want to wear a knee brace if you don’t have to. They really don’t do much to prevent twisting, but can stabilize your knee side to side, and they reduce the chance of hyperextension which is when your knee is extremely vulnerable. It is hard to keep a brace from “migrating” down your leg as you pedal, and chafing is a real problem.
See a different doctor, really. The news may not be bad, and even if it is you will be better off knowing.
Scott
I wear Donjoy braces on both sides while uniing, but my problem is worn out menicuses (menisci?) on one side, so the brace helps by shifting load toward the good side. As mentioned, they also prevent hyperextension and help with twisting forces that can pop ligaments.
But all this might/probably doesn’t apply to your situation, which sounds more like the patellar tracking problem mentioned before. Key is to see a doctor who can properly diagnose the issue and point you in the direction of someone who can help. Definitely don’t give up the sport you love. My orthopedic surgeon was the one who recommended braces, and they help me a lot. They are a pain to ride with, no doubt, but unless I catch my brake handle under one, I usually don’t notice they’re there. The sixsixones cover them up pretty well. Unfortunately, riding with braces is the price I pay for not having perfect genetics. 
Jerry
Cho-Pat makes a couple of straps to help with patellar tracking and other patellar issues. Other companies also make similar straps. Here’s a bunch of links:
Cho-Pat Original Knee Strap
Cho-Pat Patellar Kneecap Stabilizer
Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap
PattStrap
FootSmart Patella Knee Strap
There are others.
I don’t know which are most effective.
With patellar tracking problems you want something that gets the patella (kneecap) to track up and down the way it’s supposed to. You don’t necessarily need a full on knee brace.