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Thread: Knee straps

  1. #1
    Registered User Bubblehead's Avatar
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    Default Knee straps

    Who has experience with wearing knee straps on the AT? Do they really help with the descents?

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    for a time i wore an IT band strap, specifically because my IT band was flaring up. i dont know if it was specific to up or downhill. probably wasnt, generally. it worked in that my IT band finally settled down and i no longer wear it, though i usually carry it in case it comes back.

    my totally limited experience and un formally educated opinion is they work if you have the correct strap to correct a specific issue youre having. i dont know of any generic "knee straps" that just make your whole knee not hurt any more when going downhill.

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    I wear a knee brace, the expensive kind with metal bars (cost me around $70.00 four years ago). Can't hike without it. Fractured my knee on my thru attempt in 2015. I don't know what "knee straps" are?

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    It's about a one inch wide strap that goes around the knee just beneath the patella (knee cap)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubblehead View Post
    It's about a one inch wide strap that goes around the knee just beneath the patella (knee cap)
    Yes. I have seen those on the trail but i don't know how effective they are. I guess, if they don't help, they don't harm either.

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    My personal opinion is, if you have knee issue, get the best knee brace you can get. I took my knees for granted, until I didn't.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubblehead View Post
    It's about a one inch wide strap that goes around the knee just beneath the patella (knee cap)
    there are ones for patella and ones for IT, as well as probably others. they arent the same, and i said above, i really think they only work if you get the correct band for the correct issue youre experiencing and use it properly.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubblehead View Post
    Who has experience with wearing knee straps on the AT? Do they really help with the descents?
    Not on the AT, but on the nearby Cumberland Trail.

    Worse than worthless, IMO. Caused a great deal of skin irritation (sweat + abrasion = rash) and did nothing to help me with descents.

    Hiking poles helped and are what keep me going (downhill).

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    If you have a pre-existing knee issue, you may need a brace. But, what is really important going downhill is good hiking technique. Knee straps won't help if you pound the downhills, and then injuries will occur.

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    I've used a knee strap on occasion, though not in the last couple of years. It seemed to help, but I wouldn't swear to it. The strap is pretty inexpensive. Just get one, and see how it works for you.

    Before the strap I tried a larger knee wrap. For me, that was really uncomfortable. Sweaty, chafing.

    I'm glad this thread came up. I've had some sharp pain in my left kneecap lately. I'm not aware of any injury or strain. I'm going to wear the knee strap for a few days and see if it gets any better.

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    I routinely have used Chopat knee braces over my hiking career of over 15,000 miles of long distance trails since I did the AT at age 61. They seem to help. For a little background, I fractured my right tibia-fibula in a skiing accident when I was 25. It healed 1/2" shorter than the left. My doctor never prescribed physical therapy or recommended using a lift. After 30 years walking with an unusual gait, I needed surgery on the joint between my right big toe and corresponding metatarsal. My lopsided gait led to a thinning of the cartilage on the inside of my right knee which tore (torn right medial meniscus) and for which I had arthroscopic surgery. After I had the toe surgery, the surgeon noted how the difference in leg length and recommended that I wear a lift in the right shoe. I noticed an immediate improvement in my back which no longer had to compensate for the difference in length. Now I have a little arthritis within my right knee which causes some pain (more like an ache) and inflammation at the end of a long hiking day or a long day on my feet, but not enough to require more than a couple ibuprofen.
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    I've used the Mueller patella bands at times if I had knee pain flare up and they worked well for the problems I have.
    As several people have stated, there are different bands and braces for different issues. Using the right one will probably
    help. Also, the bands vs the full braces are a lot more comfortable to wear wrt sweat and chafing.

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    I use a Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap on both knees for all backpacking trips. That particular strap stabilizes the IT band where it connects to the knee (the IT band runs from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee). I have significant pain on descents if I don't use the straps. It's always a relief to take them off at the end of each hiking day, but I can't say they are that big a bother to me while I am hiking even though I do sweat under them.
    Life Member: ATC, ALDHA, Superior Hiking Trail Association

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    I started using a simple wrap after 2 trips ruined by excruciating pain in IT band on one knee. Works for me, and gives me confidence to push through slight discomfort.

    Try it, they are cheap enough.

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    I had IT band issues for the first time in one knee when hiking the Knobstone in November 2017. Did a section of the AT in November 2018 and started feeling the pain on the downhills. Had to move extremely slow. After a couple hours of inching along, I rolled up my bandanna and wrapped it on my knee where a knee brace/strap would go (below the kneecap). It helped immensely with the downhills! So I ordered a proper strap (link) for my attempted thru hike this year. IMO definitely helpful with descents.

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    Quote Originally Posted by EO. View Post
    I had IT band issues for the first time in one knee when hiking the Knobstone in November 2017. Did a section of the AT in November 2018 and started feeling the pain on the downhills. Had to move extremely slow. After a couple hours of inching along, I rolled up my bandanna and wrapped it on my knee where a knee brace/strap would go (below the kneecap). It helped immensely with the downhills! So I ordered a proper strap (link) for my attempted thru hike this year. IMO definitely helpful with descents.
    your IT band is not below your kneecap and that isnt where an IT band strap goes.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tdoczi View Post
    your IT band is not below your kneecap and that isnt where an IT band strap goes.
    Thanks for the clarification. It was my understanding that the IT band connects/ends just outside the knee cap, but I am no medical professional. Regardless - I was experiencing pain on the outside of my knee. The strap placed just below my kneecap alleviates the pain on downhills.

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    Quote Originally Posted by EO. View Post
    Thanks for the clarification. It was my understanding that the IT band connects/ends just outside the knee cap, but I am no medical professional. Regardless - I was experiencing pain on the outside of my knee. The strap placed just below my kneecap alleviates the pain on downhills.
    ive never used one of these and (as far as i know) havent had patella issues so my ability to say anything here is limited, but at least in terms of how you describe wearing the strap, it sounds more like this-

    https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tec-Athle.../dp/B004AOGA56

    i believe you are correct that the IT band ends just below the kneecap, but (again, far from an expert) i think pain in it is caused by it moving in a way it isnt supposed to (and rubbing against the bone as it does so), which is generally going to be closer to the center of the band, not at one of the ends.

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