Knee Braces - Pros and Cons

[raduray]

Given the prevalence of ACL and other knee injuries, why don't more players use them. How much protection do they provide and how much of a negative impact do they have on performance?

Also, doesn't Belichick require all linemen to use them?

 

[patriot1136]

Very good questions, i would like to hear some expert opinions too.

 

[Ian]

Funny you should ask this question, because the exact same topic popped up two years ago when Gronk got hurt the last time as well:

Knee braces: worth wearing to help prevent injuries? | New England Patriots Forums - PatsFans.com Patriots Fan Messageboard

 

[supafly]

I have been waiting for someone to start a thread on this subject, as we've debated the pros/cons in some of the other threads. Yes, he requires the OL to wear them due to the high volume of "traffic" falling around them, along with the fact that they are not going to be doing any/much running, etc.

Now, if we're thinking about what I think we're thinking about, then someone like Gronkowski or any other skill position player aside from the QB may not want to wear them since it would slow them down and prevent some "pure" moves and plays from being made. I could see it going either way, and honestly don't have any background to weigh in on such a move, but basically it comes down to In Bill Belichick We Trust. I am sure that it's been considered on some level.

 

[Deus Irae]

Many years back, I had to wear one post-op, for a while. Words can't describe how much I hated it. The very day the doc gave me a begrudging ok to do athletics without it, I tossed it in the trash.

 

[MassPats38]

The literature seems to indicate benefits for linemen, but not for other positions.

There is a nice discussion here.

My knee injury put me in a knee restraint. I am big and slow, so I cannot claim significant reduction in either quickness or agility while wearing it.

 

[supafly]

The literature seems to indicate benefits for linemen, but not for other positions.

Many years back, I had to wear one post-op, for a while. Words can't describe how much I hated it. The very day the doc gave me a begrudging ok to do athletics without it, I tossed it in the trash.

This is pretty much what I assumed, although I'll have to admit that the thought crossed my mind regarding Gronkowski and the position of TE.

I think we'd have already seen it, had Belichick or others felt that it would be of benefit. The OL are a no brainer, although I'd have to assume that you'd want more speed and athleticism on the DL.

 

[PScottman]

Many years back, I had to wear one post-op, for a while. Words can't describe how much I hated it. The very day the doc gave me a begrudging ok to do athletics without it, I tossed it in the trash.

There's studies out there regarding both mental and physical impact of long term brace wear too. Everything from performance vs injury recurrence to compensation injury and degradation of the muscle around the joint the brace is supposed to protect. It's hardly anything settled and comes down the usual reply we might expect:

Depends.

 

[BTTA]

There's studies out there regarding both mental and physical impact of long term brace wear too. Everything from performance vs injury recurrence to compensation injury and degradation of the muscle around the joint the brace is supposed to protect. It's hardly anything settled and comes down the usual reply we might expect:

Depends.

Makes sense, and wouldn't have thought of those two factors.

I wonder if, in the case of pro football players who have 98% of their fitness created in the gym and during other fitness activities (i. e. not while playing), there would be enough time "in brace" to have those two things matter. Basketball players would be very different, for example.

 

[Deus Irae]

There's studies out there regarding both mental and physical impact of long term brace wear too. Everything from performance vs injury recurrence to compensation injury and degradation of the muscle around the joint the brace is supposed to protect. It's hardly anything settled and comes down the usual reply we might expect:

Depends.

This. I took to wearing a neoprene sleeve for a while, as a bit of a compromise, as it served mostly to limit pain and fluid buildup.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have some floaters in my right knee and when they move around my knee feels unstable.

I play in a mens hoop league and before the game if the floaters don't shift from the uncomfortable position, I wear the brace.

If they move so it now feels stable I leave the brace in my bag.

Its totally nonsensical but i freaking hate that brace.

 

[patriot1136]

Maybe if players would stop going for other players knees we wouldn't have to worry about this at all.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

is there a difference between a brace and a sleeve?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Many years back, I had to wear one post-op, for a while. Words can't describe how much I hated it. The very day the doc gave me a begrudging ok to do athletics without it, I tossed it in the trash.

Could not agree more. Had to wear one for a while when playing pickup hoops. I had no basketball athletic talent or height advantage but was faster than most anyone breaking downcourt. I felt it slowed me down restricting my only advantage. Alleluia when I tossed it aside.

That said, my career and lifetime financial position did not depend on my knee's welfare, nor were there unbelievably fast or massive guys diving at my knees so I can see the case for wearing a brace.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

The reason there is a difference between a lineman and a receiver wearing one is that there is no brace in the world that can help a knee being lunged at by a 20o+lb person.

Being fallen on/ bent back can be helped with a brace, but that type of stuff wouldn't help for the gronks of the world.

 

[Deus Irae]

is there a difference between a brace and a sleeve?

Yes. Here's one way to look at it:

The Advantages of Knee Sleeves: What They Are and When to Wear Them