Knee Braces

[Sargassoc]

(This is partly general WBB, but I'm thinking of it exclusively for UConn WBB.)

Why does no one wear those (admittedly) clunky metal strapped knee braces like the one Brittany Hunter wore? Of course, I understand that technology changes (for example, my current 12-year-old orthopedic surgeon not only doesn't do the ankle surgery I had in 1997 and 2002, but had never heard of it), but I always assumed that these metal braces were stabilizing. For example, both Paige and Azzi wear knee sleeves, as does almost every other player, knee injury or not.

(I guess the answer is obviously yes), but are these knee sleeves really as stabilizing as those old braces? And, more importantly, how does this improvement work?

 

[Bone Dog]

Azzi wore a brace of some sort when she came back for the tournament two seasons ago. I’m not sure it helped her in any particular way.

 

[HuskyNan]

(This is partly general WBB, but I'm thinking of it exclusively for UConn WBB.)

Why does no one wear those (admittedly) clunky metal strapped knee braces like the one Brittany Hunter wore? Of course, I understand that technology changes (for example, my current 12-year-old orthopedic surgeon not only doesn't do the ankle surgery I had in 1997 and 2002, but had never heard of it), but I always assumed that these metal braces were stabilizing. For example, both Paige and Azzi wear knee sleeves, as does almost every other player, knee injury or not.

(I guess the answer is obviously yes), but are these knee sleeves really as stabilizing as those old braces? And, more importantly, how does this improvement work?

Your orthopedic surgeon is 12 years old?

 

[Sargassoc]

Your orthopedic surgeon is 12 years old?

Well, that's how it seems to me. Doogie Howser and all that. . . plus, I'm old and he's not.

 

[Dogstar]

Well, that's how it seems to me. Doogie Howser and all that. . . plus, I'm old and he's not.

Cut him some slack after all 7th grade is a lot tougher thn whn we were in school

 

[oldude]

The bigger the brace, the more difficult it is to move in them. The knee braces worn by offensive linemen are very good at preventing knee injuries. But I can’t imagine trying to play basketball in them. Basketball players with knee problems generally wear compression sleeves that provide support to a knee joint, but also allow for movement, cutting, stopping and starting, etc.

 

[msf22b]

My wife had an ACL in both knees, neither surgically repaired...
When we ski, she just straps on her custom fiberglass models,
gos out and demolishhes the slopes.

Just "sayin"

 

[Dogdude]

When movement in one direction is eliminated (as in these metal reinforced braces), it creates additional stresses on other joints (like ankles and hips). Better to have any stresses of twisting, turning, jumping, etc., spread out over as many muscles, joints, connective tissues as possible. Basic engineering principles, and the human body is subject to the same principles as moments, stress risers, etc. Nothing beats naturally developed and maintained strength, stability, and flexibility.

 

[freshler40]

Your orthopedic surgeon is 12 years old?

Percocous! sic, Any 12 year old can Google this type of surgery and of course have steady hands. Ha Ha

 

[Bigboote]

(This is partly general WBB, but I'm thinking of it exclusively for UConn WBB.)

Why does no one wear those (admittedly) clunky metal strapped knee braces like the one Brittany Hunter wore? Of course, I understand that technology changes (for example, my current 12-year-old orthopedic surgeon not only doesn't do the ankle surgery I had in 1997 and 2002, but had never heard of it), but I always assumed that these metal braces were stabilizing. For example, both Paige and Azzi wear knee sleeves, as does almost every other player, knee injury or not.

(I guess the answer is obviously yes), but are these knee sleeves really as stabilizing as those old braces? And, more importantly, how does this improvement work?

The big bulky braces prevent (or limit) lateral bending of the joint, which is generally what causes ACL tears to begin with. As far as I can tell, the sleeves that several UConn players wear are knee pads. There are some orthopaedic sleeves; I'm not sure how many types there are, but the primary purpose of those is to stabilize the knee cap.

As you allude to in your post, medical treatments go in and out of fashion. The knee braces seemed to be recommended coming back from ACL surgery for some time, but as Dogdude pointed out, there can be follow-on consequences. In my building at work maybe 6-8 years ago, six people had ankle problems and were put on one of those scooters that you rest your knee on to keep the foot off the ground. Four of them that I can remember developed problems in the other leg. Haven't seen one of those scooters in some time.

 

[Blond D.]

Your orthopedic surgeon is 12 years old?

Ankle surgery isn't taught till they get into high school. Thats why your 12 year old surgeon hasn't heard of it.

 

[Blond D.]

The bigger the brace, the more difficult it is to move in them. The knee braces worn by offensive linemen are very good at preventing knee injuries. But I can’t imagine trying to play basketball in them. Basketball players with knee problems generally wear compression sleeves that provide support to a knee joint, but also allow for movement, cutting, stopping and starting, etc.

I had to wear a type of brace in high school for one year when I played basketball . It was a sleeve with two flattened coiled springs on each side. It helped stabilize my knee yet was light and didn't interfere much with my movement. That was a while ago so I'm guessing they have come a long way in making braces lighter and more efficient.

 

[rubymae4]

Those clunky knee braces reduce, but don’t eliminate, knee movement. I had a partial ACL tear, tried to rehabilitate and wore one of those braces, and fully tore my ACL while standing and trapping a soccer ball one week out of rehab.

Here’s the conclusion from a recent study:
Effect of knee bracing on clinical outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A prospective randomised controlled study - PMC

The study suggests that knee bracing after ACL reconstruction, regardless of any additional meniscus procedures, fails to enhance subjective or objective outcomes and could potentially have a negative impact on the Tegner activity scale, although the difference is not clinically significant. The routine use of a postoperative brace should be discontinued.

 

[Sargassoc]

Those clunky knee braces reduce, but don’t eliminate, knee movement. I had a partial ACL tear, tried to rehabilitate and wore one of those braces, and fully tore my ACL while standing and trapping a soccer ball one week out of rehab.

Here’s the conclusion from a recent study:
Effect of knee bracing on clinical outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A prospective randomised controlled study - PMC

The study suggests that knee bracing after ACL reconstruction, regardless of any additional meniscus procedures, fails to enhance subjective or objective outcomes and could potentially have a negative impact on the Tegner activity scale, although the difference is not clinically significant. The routine use of a postoperative brace should be discontinued.

Thank you!
The more you know. . .

 

[Sargassoc]

The bigger the brace, the more difficult it is to move in them. The knee braces worn by offensive linemen are very good at preventing knee injuries. But I can’t imagine trying to play basketball in them. Basketball players with knee problems generally wear compression sleeves that provide support to a knee joint, but also allow for movement, cutting, stopping and starting, etc.

I was today years old when I discovered that offensive linemen wore knee braces. (I went down that rabbit hole.)

 

[Dove]

I played HS soccer in the early 80s. A small country town in CT. I wore this for my knee tendonitis or else got the wrath of my teammates...

 

[CTBballfan243]

Those metal knee braces should not be allowed. They are dangerous to the other players on the court.