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Knee / leg support for rugby

PhoebeC

PhoebeC

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Last rugby season I hurt my knee, I don't remember how, I think it was the same match I got my concussion which was very bad so actually I don't think I would ahve noticed. It was a wack to my face so my nose and face/heaed hurt most. Anyway once I got over the head issue I notice my knee, its just not been right. It's not awful just a bit sore and sometimes painful. Again its like a 5/6 pain level not extreme.

Flat and soft ground is fine, anything not flat it hurts. I have seen the club physio and he suggested some exercises, 1 leg squats to build up strength. Not knowing how I did it doesn't help him work out the issue with it, but there we go.

Anyway I could do with some sort of support or compression to help my knee out. There's 100s online and I am not sure which is best. So many sponsored posts/websites it is hard to know what to trust here.

Also a brace won't work as I need to wear it for full contact rugby so thinking a brace or a support?
 
Try asking three PYSO maybe
 
PhoebeC said:
Last rugby season I hurt my knee, I don't remember how, I think it was the same match I got my concussion which was very bad so actually I don't think I would ahve noticed. It was a wack to my face so my nose and face/heaed hurt most. Anyway once I got over the head issue I notice my knee, its just not been right. It's not awful just a bit sore and sometimes painful. Again its like a 5/6 pain level not extreme.

Flat and soft ground is fine, anything not flat it hurts. I have seen the club physio and he suggested some exercises, 1 leg squats to build up strength. Not knowing how I did it doesn't help him work out the issue with it, but there we go.

Anyway I could do with some sort of support or compression to help my knee out. There's 100s online and I am not sure which is best. So many sponsored posts/websites it is hard to know what to trust here.

Also a brace won't work as I need to wear it for full contact rugby so thinking a brace or a support?
Click to expand...
I have had a couple of different ones from Amazon, one which wraps around, a Physix Gear Sport and also ones which you pull on, Lexniush store sort of green and black. Both have been good in giving support for my dodgy knee. Not expensive. You need to get the right size.
 
I use kinesiology tape a lot as it can be easily tailored to different needs and isn’t stiff and restrictive like braces etc can be. As you don’t know exactly what you did it might take a few goes to get the right wrapping to support in the right way but there are lots of tutorials online for how to use k tape on knees. It can sometimes be worth taping your IT band or further up your leg too as it all feeds into the knees. Even though all k tape is supposedly the same I do find different colours can have different amounts of firmness vs stretch so I usually use purple (plus I like the colour) for some reason black seems the least supportive and frays on the edges more. I use titanium brand but even cheapo unbranded k tape off eBay is mostly ok.
 
Thebearcametoo said:
I use kinesiology tape a lot as it can be easily tailored to different needs and isn’t stiff and restrictive like braces etc can be. As you don’t know exactly what you did it might take a few goes to get the right wrapping to support in the right way but there are lots of tutorials online for how to use k tape on knees. It can sometimes be worth taping your IT band or further up your leg too as it all feeds into the knees. Even though all k tape is supposedly the same I do find different colours can have different amounts of firmness vs stretch so I usually use purple (plus I like the colour) for some reason black seems the least supportive and frays on the edges more. I use titanium brand but even cheapo unbranded k tape off eBay is mostly ok.
Click to expand...
Something I have found helps are herbal knee patches which stick to the knee.
 
I have two neoprene ones. One is a pull on one that I am pretty sure would not stay in place if I was running around but works OK for static work..... I use them when I am trimming my horses feet as there is a lot of strain on your knees particularly as horses often pull to get their foot back when you are trying to hold it between your knees whilst you use a knife or rasp with your hands. It can be very physical and knees need to be braced against sideways movement of the horse as well as twisting from the rasp and of course support my weight. I have a dodgy left knee that really doesn't like that intermittent torsional stress whilst also taking significant downward stress and occasional lifting and a horse can lift me off my feet with one leg if they really decide they want that foot back, as well as lean a good proportion of their weight on you and pull you forwards or back. I can feel the "slack" in my left knee joint when this is happening, but a knee support really helps. The other one I have is a wrap around design with velcro fastening above and below the knee and a slightly reinforced hole over the kneecap so I can get a more custom fit than the pull on one and I think that would be less likely to come loose/slide down with activity like running.
Both were relatively inexpensive at between £5-£10
My knee issue stems from a skiing fall 30 odd years ago. Regular walking is really important for it and then supporting it with the neoprene support when I am doing things which will put it under a lot of pressure. There have been spells when it has been really painful and I have absolutely hobbled with it but in recent years (maybe the last 15) with more walking and support when needed, it has been more or less trouble free although I accept it may be a bit sore after a long hoof trimming session.
I hope you are able to find something suitable to support yours. I suspect mine may have been random purchases from the likes of Lidl/Aldi so I don't think there is a brand name I could recommend.
 
I tore my meniscus, and after getting off my crutches, I used the Geo support which was brilliant. As it repaired I got another less supportive one. Both from Amazon. These are both soft, no rigid supports. The ones with support bars hurt my knee
 

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When I had knee problems, I found i sweated so much behind supports, I ended up with bad sweat rash.
 
louisew said:
I tore my meniscus, and after getting off my crutches, I used the Geo support which was brilliant. As it repaired I got another less supportive one. Both from Amazon. These are both soft, no rigid supports. The ones with support bars hurt my knee
Click to expand...
The second pic is like one of the ones I have, I could wear it on top of my trousers or leggings and gave me more confidence going down steps.
 
rebrascora said:
I have two neoprene ones. One is a pull on one that I am pretty sure would not stay in place if I was running around but works OK for static work..... I use them when I am trimming my horses feet as there is a lot of strain on your knees particularly as horses often pull to get their foot back when you are trying to hold it between your knees whilst you use a knife or rasp with your hands. It can be very physical and knees need to be braced against sideways movement of the horse as well as twisting from the rasp and of course support my weight. I have a dodgy left knee that really doesn't like that intermittent torsional stress whilst also taking significant downward stress and occasional lifting and a horse can lift me off my feet with one leg if they really decide they want that foot back, as well as lean a good proportion of their weight on you and pull you forwards or back. I can feel the "slack" in my left knee joint when this is happening, but a knee support really helps. The other one I have is a wrap around design with velcro fastening above and below the knee and a slightly reinforced hole over the kneecap so I can get a more custom fit than the pull on one and I think that would be less likely to come loose/slide down with activity like running.
Both were relatively inexpensive at between £5-£10
My knee issue stems from a skiing fall 30 odd years ago. Regular walking is really important for it and then supporting it with the neoprene support when I am doing things which will put it under a lot of pressure. There have been spells when it has been really painful and I have absolutely hobbled with it but in recent years (maybe the last 15) with more walking and support when needed, it has been more or less trouble free although I accept it may be a bit sore after a long hoof trimming session.
I hope you are able to find something suitable to support yours. I suspect mine may have been random purchases from the likes of Lidl/Aldi so I don't think there is a brand name I could recommend.
Click to expand...
My uncle is a friar and my grandma and a few of her other children have horses so I understand this well.

I also had a skiing accident about 20 years ago, and it has always suffered on and off since then but not like this.
I did see elbow and ankle supports in lidl last week and had a good search for the knee (also hand) supports with now luck.
 
Personally, I would find out just what's wrong with your knee

In my late 20's playing cricket I damaged my knee and ignored it, then a year later, playing in a county table tennis match I found out what was wrong with it when I ripped my cartilage clean out.

3 weeks in hospital and 3 months off work and a year out of any sport.
This was before keyhole surgery.
My advice, get your knee sorted
 
When younger I had all manner challenges with my knees; tearing ligaments, cartilage and so on. One thing that still rings in my ears is rather than strap a joint up, the supporting musculature should be strengthened to support the joint. I used to have my thighs and calfs measured weekly to ensure they were not losing bulk.

I feel concerned that playing with a support could give a false sense of security when you have no idea where your (knee) risks are.

Personally, I'd want x-rays and an MRI, but if you aren't keen to pursue that, then consider perhaps seeing a physio or sports therapist for an opinion.

All joints are precious, but please don't risk your mobility.
 
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