Hinged knee brace?

[kodiakfly]

Does anyone here wear a semi-rigid hinged knee brace while hunting? If so, which one, which model?

I rag-dolled down the mountain last week and jacked up my knee (hyperextended knee cap soft tissue, nothing torn, but it hurts and if I was a horse, they would've shot me.) and I got ahold of a buddy's hinged, rigid knee brace (BioSkin QLok) and man does it help keep things the way they should be. I'll for sure be wearing it the rest of the season if I can get out in the next two weeks, but my fall occurred after my knee buckled the wrong way and I went down.

I broke my leg years ago and a few surgeries later, that doesn't bother me. This knee thing bothers me and I'm seriously thinking of wearing a brace full-time now. Don't tell me I don't need one, just humor me for now. Anyone wear one hunting?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

After having my ACL replaced and a few others things repaired I wore a Don Joy for a while. It worked well.

 

[squeekieslayer]

PM rhinorv on here. He is my brother and a great physical therapist. We had a pretty good conversation about this stuff this weekend and he will be able to point you in the right direction.

Joe

 

[5MilesBack]

I have a Townsend Designs brace for those "what if" scenarios, but thankfully have never needed to use it yet.

 

[El Gavilan]

I screwed up my left knee when I lived in Kodiak back in the mid 1990's, had the knee scoped and wore a perscription custom made, hinged knee brace that was designed to unload the weight off the inside knee compartment. Worked OK, but had to be disassembled and lubed every few months. Finally quite wearing it and went without for around 10 years then had a total knee replacement in 2008 and it's all good now. Must be a Kodiak thing as several of my friends there also had knee surgery over about a 2 year span.

Mike

 

[Ross]

I wore a Don Joy after two acl replacements.........they make many models and will help, but I would recommend getting it looked at after season. Knee issues are nothing to mess with and dont tend to heal themselves ie if you tore something. Time well spent to have it checked out. Good luck

 

[Stid2677]

I've been nursing a worn out knee for 3 years now. I have a fitted unloader, hinged magnesium brace and it is fine for around town, I found that it caused too much friction and blisters when I tried using it in the bush. Best I have found for me is the neoprene wrap around style with the aluminum hinges. I have used one on several hunts and it helps for sure.

 

[kodiakfly]

Thanks guys.

Must be a Kodiak thing as several of my friends there also had knee surgery over about a 2 year span.

Man, no joke. Terrain here is hard, always wet and even a grassy slop (where this happened) can be deceivingly aggressive.

I would recommend getting it looked at after season. Knee issues are nothing to mess with and dont tend to heal themselves ie if you tore something. Time well spent to have it checked out. Good luck

It's already on the mend and nothing is torn. It's just hyperextended, maybe strained a bit. It's already healing up and goat season ends in two weeks and it won't be 100% by then. I can walk, squat, twist, uphill and downhill on it; it's just a little sore and stiff. But I'm thinking about this for future seasons to help avoid this again. It basically ended my season a month early and I'd prefer to not have a repeat of it.

 

[trdhunter]

I have a Don Joy I got after my ACL surgery this year. It is better than lots I have tried but is still bulky and a pain in the ass. Any other options besides neoprene braces. Im looking for a knee brace for swat school in a few months and not having much luck finding anything.

 

[wapitibob]

I use one of the knee "socks" under mine when hunting. It helps with the rub rash.

 

[rodney482]

After ACL and Meniscus my surgeon said do not use any type of brace.

 

[ColoradoBackpackHunter]

I also use Don Joy. I had an accident scouting this last spring and my knee is very unstable still. I used a cheap one at first but was much happier spending the money on something good. The thin sock underneath does wonders for comfort.

 

[camelcluch]

I blew both knees out when I was 16. I worn a don joy and a soft hinge brace for 18 years after. I developed arthritis in both knees that made everything hurt. I have been taking a natural supplement for the past year and half and was able to ditch the brace. However, both braces were good though. Good luck with your knee.

 

[JWP58]

Back while I was playing f-ball I had to start wearing one of these...

http://www.medicalexpo.com/prod/bre...p-stabilisation-articulated-71114-530293.html

To keep my patella in place (dislocated it three times so far). Breg makes some good braces, might check them out to see if they have something for your application.

 

[Nateinia]

What type of natural supplements have you been taking. I also blew out both of my knees and have had 4 total knee surgeries in the past 12 years. Trying to work on strengthening the knees which always leads to lots of Advil ...

 

[kodiakfly]

Some good options. Thanks.