This is Kohtaro, a Webike off-road rider. This article is about knee braces!
Hi everyone! Are you wearing a knee brace? Are you hesitant because it's too expensive? You don't wear it because it's too heavy and hinders your riding? Let's buy it now and wear it!
The reason I bring this up is because I have torn the anterior cruciate ligament in both of my knees and have had reconstructive surgery. I wrote this article to reduce the number of off-road riders like myself who cannot sit upright or whose knees do not bend on a rainy day.
What's a knee brace?
To put it simply, it is a brace that prevents the knee from bending in the wrong direction.
In off-roading, when you fall or fly, your knee can open more than 180 degrees or bend sideways. It hurts just to read about it in writing, doesn't it? Knee braces are originally for medical use, to protect the ligaments after surgery, but motocross and enduro have a very high rate of ligament damage, and to reduce the hindrance to riding, a special product with a set of protectors is sold.
Most of the models have hinges on the frame, as shown in the image, to adjust the angle of the bending range. The hinge prevents the so-called reverse kappa, while the frame prevents lateral bending.
Can't you just knee-guard it?
I don't want to spend 50,000~100,000, and I don't want to be reckless, right? I can understand why you would think that. But injuries can come out of nowhere. Knee guards can't protect your ligaments & meniscus! It is not an exaggeration to say that only the surface skin can be protected.
They say that off-road riders can be divided into two categories.
- Riders who buy knee braces before they cut their ligaments.
- Riders who buy knee braces after cutting their ligaments.
Who do you think is smarter?
Recommended Knee Braces
PODMX: PODMX
For me, it's the manufacturer I see riders using the most! I think one of the reasons for the popularity of this product is that there are plenty of spare parts available, and you can repair it yourself if it gets damaged. The knee braces of other companies are often sent to the importer for repair. Vectran fiber, which is five times stronger than steel, is used as the core material, and is covered with a flexible urethane resin that is built into the hinge.
This artificial health system is a unique system patented by POD.
K8 2.0 Knee Brace
A high-end model with a forged carbon frame that combines lightness and strength. The knee protector follows the movement of the knee and protects the knee from all types of impact, and fits naturally to the rider's knee. The advanced straps hold the tibia and thighs securely and reduce discomfort such as slippage.
K4 2.0 Knee Brace
This model has the same features as the top grade carbon model "K8 2.0", but the frame is made of fiberglass, making it more affordable.
Available in three sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL.
LEATT BRACE
LEATT, famous for its neck brace, also sells knee braces. As a late entrant to the market, they have come up with a unique and interesting mechanism.
X-FRAME Knee Brace
The advanced model with injection carbon composite frame and asymmetrical hinge.
Only the inner hinge has been slimmed down by 40% to reduce discomfort when knee-gripping. The angle can be adjusted in the range of 5°/10°/15°/20° to reduce ligament damage.
C-FRAME Knee Brace
This is an advanced model that uses LEATT's unique unilateral hinge construction. The two ligaments that are most at risk of damage when riding a motorcycle are the anterior cruciate and lateral ligaments. With no hinges on the inside, the knee brace eliminates the painful knee grip and hinges! The hinges are geared for smooth movement, and four different spacers are included to limit the angle.
Z-FRAME Knee Brace
Lightweight and cost-effective entry model. Anyway, it is slim and easy to fit in the boot and less likely to interfere with the wear. I'd recommend replacing your popular DUAL AXIS knee shin guards with these so you don't feel out of place!
Asterisk
ASTERISK was founded by a group of former orthopedic medical device developers and several motocross riders. ASTERISK is one of the few brands that specializes in knee braces, with a system that allows them to respond flexibly to feedback and improvements from riders.
They are one of the few brands that specialize in knee braces.
ULTRA CELL 3.0 Knee brace
Equipped with a 4-pivot system that realizes ergonomic three-dimensional movement.
Like a human knee, it can follow lateral movements for a smooth ride. Of course, by limiting the movement of the hinge area, we limit the forces that may be considered dangerous. The calves and thighs can be custom fitted to suit individual body types by changing the tension of the two interior plates, achieving a custom-made fit.
Extra, true story! From torn ligaments to a competitive comeback!
What happens if it cuts out?
If you've ever cut a ligament of any kind, you'll know what I'm talking about, but you can hear a definite snap of something breaking from inside your body. Immediately afterwards, the adrenaline allows me to walk a little or ride my motorcycle back to the paddock. But after about half a day, the internal bleeding gets worse and you end up with a knee that won't bend at all. In this case, you just have to endure by icing.
Examination and treatment
Ligaments cannot be identified as torn on an x-ray, so an MRI is used to diagnose the problem.
So, if you go to a hospital that has MRI facilities, you won't have to do it twice (testimonial)
And since torn ligaments do not regenerate or stick together, reconstructive surgery is required.
(If you are active with a tear, the meniscus will shave off and be gone! It seems that if you don't increase your range of motion before the surgery, you will end up with a knee that doesn't bend at all after the surgery, so we do pre-surgical rehabilitation so that you have the same level of range of motion and muscle mass as a healthy knee before the surgery. (About 3 months)
Procedure
Requires hospitalization for one week to one month (depending on hospital policy)
If you're a working person, it can be difficult to make time for this.
Since it is endoscopic surgery, it is not so hard on the body, but it is painful enough that you cannot sleep when you wake up from the anesthesia. The surgery is performed at the same time as the meniscus is damaged, so the time required is an additional two hours.
Rehabilitation
In my case, rehabilitation started the day after the surgery. My leg was fixed to a machine and forcibly bent little by little, or I held my knee with my hand and bent it. Once the leg can be bent to some extent, the main focus is on muscle training to restore the lost muscles. The reconstructed person's legs have become amazingly slim and beautiful lol.
Crutches
No damage to the meniscus → about 1 month
Damage to the meniscus → About 2 months
If you're a train commuter, it's super hard. It's hard to get them to give it up.
Return to competition
Rehabilitation is required for at least 6 months, preferably a year. It is said that the third month is the most common time for re-rupture because the timing coincides with the ability to move around a bit and the strength of the transplanted ligament is at its weakest. Take your time to heal.
I had to go through this process twice! I couldn't ride a motorcycle for almost two years, considering the period of pre and post-op rehabilitation.
Summary
I have told you about the importance of knee braces, including my experience. There are people who have never been injured without a knee brace, and wearing a knee brace does not necessarily protect your ligaments and meniscus. However, wearing a knee brace is far better for protecting your body than not wearing one.
As for motorcycles, you can fix the broken parts if you pay for it, but the human body will never be new no matter how much you pay for it, and it will take a lot of money and a lot of time to get it back to that state. Knee braces can reduce that risk for 50,000~100,000 yen, so take the plunge and buy one before you can't get it back! You won't have to wait so long for regenerative medicine like I did!