Does anyone have a knee injury and ride with a brace?

[pocket]

I have recently had an injury to my knee and have had to have a ligament removed. I now face further physio and hopefully will be able to rehab without further surgery. However, if this is not successful, I need to have further surgery to stabilise the knee, which will involve approx 6 months rehab!! I've not ridden for 5 months and its killing me so looking for alternatives.

I recall reading an article about someone who had a similar problem some time ago and she rode with a brace. Has anyone had experiences of this??? Or can offer advice.

 

[Sprout]

I ride with two knee braces and an ankle brace!

Riding is agony, particularly rising trot, and also if I have to sit a shy or a spook, but I am not ready to give up yet!
If you want any more specific information, just ask.

Best of luck.

 

[conniegirl]

i injured my knee skiing and whilst not as bad as your injury sounds i did have to ride with a brace for a while. It hurt like hell getting on, and we got very good at walk to canter transitions, but yes it is possible particularly with a good physio help.

 

[yellowpony]

I did my knee in skiing, and rode in a neoprene knee support with the synthetic equivalent of whalebone in the sides, which worked fine for me. It can get a bit sweaty, and avoid creases in your jodhs under the support - leads to nasty rubbing! I had a more substantial knee support with hinged metal side pieces, but I didn't try riding in it (It would probably have damaged my saddle). After my knee improved I had just the neoprene knee supports that runners wear (still sweaty though). I would think it would depend on the nature of your injury, I had to avoid twisting my knee.

It did finally recover, and although I still suffer with it sometimes on the ground, it's never been a problem riding, even when I was doing endurance. I should strap your leg up and give it a cautious try, and if it really hurts, stop!

 

[Binkybex]

I used to do mounted games with someone who had a knee injury, she used to wear a brace type support that had a joint in it at the knee, it seemed to work realy well and she was able to keep competing. I think its up to how bad it is and how much you can do without being in agony

 

[Ottinmeg]

my friend also has to wear a knee brace when riding and she does quite high level showjumping, she does tend to go through saddle flaps rather quickly though!

 

[asbo]

i am "supposed" to have a metal knee brace with patella support on both knees & both ankles strapped but i never do unless doing jumping

 

[pocket]

Thank you to everyone who responded, its made me feel so much better! Stupid, you think its going to be the end of the world, all I want to do is go for a hack, it feels like a life time since I rode.

I'll be on the phone in the morning to the sports knee brace people

 

[conniegirl]

when i had to ride with mine, to prevent it damageing the saddle flaps, i put some cotton wool over the hinges, held it in place with cling film then i wrapped a fluffy seat saver round it (the faux sheep skin type), it looked very strange but it worked.