what knee support and where to buy?

[2seas]

i dislocated my knee a few days ago. popped out during a tackle when playing footy and popped back in when i hit the ground.

it's obviously not that badly damaged as i can walk (hobble) on it now. i still don't have full range of motion and there is a little swelling (no jokes please) and there isn't really much pain.

i thought i should buy a knee support to aid me as i start to try to walk on it a bit more. ideally i'll be able to use this support later on when i'm back to playing sports too.

can anyone who is in or has been in a similar situation recommend a good knee support and more importantly where i can buy one?

[2seas]

nada?

[spikeyhead]

you need a good physio far more than you need an elasticated bandage that may or may not have some additional structural support.

Let the physio define the exercise to get the right balance of muscles around the joint again, and get them all strong before you start pushing on it.

[HiRich]

Agree with spikey that you should get professional advice.

However, in increasing grades of support I have used:

• The basic elasticated support (Boots): A simple stretchy sock 6" long. Adds a bit of support when the knee is tired.
• The endhanced elasticated suppport (Snow & Rock): 12" long, foam patella support. Kept me skiing on a tired knee.
• The "semi-spastic" (also Snow & Rock): Plastic, hinged side-straps, velcro straps. Got me walking and skiing each a day earlier than possible.

(BTW, the full-spastic is the one used for ACL patients)

The basic one is quite handy and I still use it when a knee gives me gip. It allows me to stand for a long time on the knee and makes the difference between being able to push-start the race car and not. The advice is to only wear it while you need it, so wear it only when the pain starts and take it off when you are on the sofa watching telly, etc.

[cs02rm0]

I'd avoid wearing one if you feel you can without causing further damage, if not, try a cheap elastic one out, I've found them to be quite useful in the past. If that doesn't work maybe consider a more expensive one.

It causes major arguments with my other half but IME physios are bloody useless for knees and backs.

She's very good at cooking though.

[996 sps]

spikeyhead said:

you need a good physio far more than you need an elasticated bandage that may or may not have some additional structural support.

Let the physio define the exercise to get the right balance of muscles around the joint again, and get them all strong before you start pushing on it.

As said above, avoid the knee brace.

[2seas]

cheers guys, i've taken your advice and avoided a brace. hobbling about a bit but degree of movement is improving each day and it's feeling stronger.

i feel perfectly fine to drive - putting pressure on the accelerator and break pedals doesn't hurt even if done sharply. however i'm worried that if i go to hospital for some physio/advice that they may recommend i don't drive to be on the uber safe side which would invalidate my insurance (for months possibly)... am i being paranoid or has this happened to any of you?

[Mojooo]

Its unlikely they will say u cannot drive if u can walk and rive without pain - even if you cannot walk totally normally

Physio has a pretty long wait around here on NHS

Better off spending 40 quid and going for a private appointment iniitally IMO - in that one session they can probably tell you whats wrong and give u basic exercises to do anyway

[996 sps]

Mojooo said:

Its unlikely they will say u cannot drive if u can walk and rive without pain - even if you cannot walk totally normally

Physio has a pretty long wait around here on NHS

Better off spending 40 quid and going for a private appointment iniitally IMO - in that one session they can probably tell you whats wrong and give u basic exercises to do anyway

Again this is good advice see sports physio, it will more than likely be a patella femoral joint problem but you need a proper assessment and away you go, you ll be able to carry on driving no problems.

[2seas]

cheers again guys, i got a gp referral today and i'll see a physio soon. 1 and a half years of private health cover is finally going to pay off...

[Wildsea]

Wow, your doing well. When I dislocated mine in August, I had a full splint on my leg for 1 week and crutches for 3 weeks. This may be because I did mine in the middle of the ocean, and somehow managed to relocate it myself during the night. I had some physio and now am 90% recovered, just aches when I walk to much on pavmennts or stand to much. I didn't use a knee support apart from the day I took my splint off, as my knee felt so week, probably due to the loss and damage of my muscle.