Wearing a Knee Brace For Support

yankeedownsouth

My knees, especially my left, have been quite sore lately. I have a feeling it’s from either squats or lunges. I’m doing reverse lunges because they’re supposedly easier on the knees, but I am horribly uncoordinated, so I’m sure my form still isn’t the best with the lunges. I’m more secure in my squat form.

Someone recommended using a lightweight brace, like the kind you can get at the pharmacy, for support. This sounds like a smart idea to me, as my knees seem wobbly, especially the left one. Of course, I will continue working on my form…

My question is, would it hurt anything to give it a try? I just don’t want to make things worse.

Thanks!!

Chief_Rocka

1. Adding a knee brace to crappy form sounds like a recipe for disaster

2. You knees are wobbly likely because your hips are weak

3. If you need to stabalize your knees, rather than a pharmacy knee brace, get a pair of these: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sck/kneesleeves.html But, like I said, the knee pain is just the symptom.

ArroganceInStep

1. Adding a knee brace to crappy form sounds like a recipe for disaster

2. You knees are wobbly likely because your hips are weak

3. If you need to stabalize your knees, rather than a pharmacy knee brace, get a pair of these: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sck/kneesleeves.html But, like I said, the knee pain is just the symptom.

Most people I know that wear a knee brace 'to prevent injury' are actually using it so they can lift more weight. Take another look at your form and see what can be done there first.

sijomial

As someone who has to wear an injury specific (PCL rupture) brace for sport I would say those over the counter ones are mostly pretty useless.

First stop would be to get your knees checked professionally to see if there is an underlying condition that is causing the soreness and might need treatment.

If you get the all clear then you are much better off using your muscles for balance and stability rather than trying to strap them up. Quad strength and balance exercises make a huge difference.

3foldchord

My knee (left) has given me problems since middle school. I have exercises to help stabilize it and it is much better, but I still wear a knee brace for stabilization support when working out, if not it end up sore and it feel like my kneecap 'catches on something and doesn't bend properly.

(Yes, I have been to drs, they aren't sure why it does that, but said it could be from whenI was hit by a car. I broke my leg super close to my knee, and it may have throw off something)

Yes, I wear the brace to avoid injury and pain.
No I do not wear the brace in hopes of being ale to lift more.

yankeedownsouth

Hmmm... So I guess the popular opinion is to not wear a brace. I'm going to try to get into the doc and see if I've injured myself, but I really think it's just from lunges, as that's when it really hurts. Last night I cut my lunge weight by 2/3 and today my knees feel much better. Thankfully, I have two rest days now, so that will help. Sometimes it's hard getting old!!

ilovedeadlifts

I'd personally try to figure out exactly what is causing the knee pain/discomfort.

My knees get pretty achy in the winter months, and I wear a "knee sleeve" that doesn't really give much support, it just keeps the area warm and offers a slight compression. A brace seems like it would inhibit form.

bostonwolf

1. Adding a knee brace to crappy form sounds like a recipe for disaster

2. You knees are wobbly likely because your hips are weak

3. If you need to stabalize your knees, rather than a pharmacy knee brace, get a pair of these: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sck/kneesleeves.html But, like I said, the knee pain is just the symptom.

Very well said.

bostonwolf

Hmmm... So I guess the popular opinion is to not wear a brace. I'm going to try to get into the doc and see if I've injured myself, but I really think it's just from lunges, as that's when it really hurts. Last night I cut my lunge weight by 2/3 and today my knees feel much better. Thankfully, I have two rest days now, so that will help. Sometimes it's hard getting old!!

reducing weight and focusing on form is not a bad way to go either.

yankeedownsouth

Hmmm... So I guess the popular opinion is to not wear a brace. I'm going to try to get into the doc and see if I've injured myself, but I really think it's just from lunges, as that's when it really hurts. Last night I cut my lunge weight by 2/3 and today my knees feel much better. Thankfully, I have two rest days now, so that will help. Sometimes it's hard getting old!!

reducing weight and focusing on form is not a bad way to go either.

I know my form - balance mostly - needs work, and I'm working on it. So I think that with the reduced weight really helped.

DaniH826

Try some yoga, does wonders for core stability and cures a lot of balance problems after you do it for a good while. The stretching certainly doesn't hurt either.

bostonwolf

Something like front squats is also a great way to increase core stability and work your abs. I'm started doing them for the first time last week at what I thought would be a light weight (about 90lbs) and got my *kitten* thoroughly kicked. Looking forward to doing them again Sunday.

ilovedeadlifts

Something like front squats is also a great way to increase core stability and work your abs. I'm started doing them for the first time last week at what I thought would be a light weight (about 90lbs) and got my *kitten* thoroughly kicked. Looking forward to doing them again Sunday.

agreed.
Personally i've found front squats to be a bit harder on the knees and hips, I guess because your knees track forward a lot on fronts.

They're a very challenging lift, and you're spot on, they will destroy your core.

yankeedownsouth

Something like front squats is also a great way to increase core stability and work your abs. I'm started doing them for the first time last week at what I thought would be a light weight (about 90lbs) and got my *kitten* thoroughly kicked. Looking forward to doing them again Sunday.

agreed.
Personally i've found front squats to be a bit harder on the knees and hips, I guess because your knees track forward a lot on fronts.

They're a very challenging lift, and you're spot on, they will destroy your core.

I've tried front squats, and I have decided not to do them. The bar is simply too close to my multiple surgery sites for my personal comfort. I don't do anything that may possibly damage my reconstruction.

bostonwolf

Something like front squats is also a great way to increase core stability and work your abs. I'm started doing them for the first time last week at what I thought would be a light weight (about 90lbs) and got my *kitten* thoroughly kicked. Looking forward to doing them again Sunday.

agreed.
Personally i've found front squats to be a bit harder on the knees and hips, I guess because your knees track forward a lot on fronts.

They're a very challenging lift, and you're spot on, they will destroy your core.

I've tried front squats, and I have decided not to do them. The bar is simply too close to my multiple surgery sites for my personal comfort. I don't do anything that may possibly damage my reconstruction.

Totally understand that. I've never done them before now mainly because I was worried about my ability to do them properly and not hurt myself. Might actually go a bit lighter this time around to make sure my form is good and I'm not overstressing my knees. My obliques will thank me too.