Keefer’s knee guards vs knee brace test

soggy
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soggy
Edited Date/Time 5/21/2021 8:50am
Some good insight on what he felt switching from braces to guards. First paragraph where he talks to the doctor is interesting

http://pulpmx.com/2021/04/21/knee-pads-or-knee-braces/
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Tim507
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Tim507 4/23/2021 1:10pm
4/23/2021 1:10pm
Bought a pair of CTI 20 years ago, used then for awhile and wet back to my knee guards. I've updated a year ago to the 199 ones
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Markee
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Markee 4/23/2021 1:22pm
4/23/2021 1:22pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2021 1:23pm
I understand the logic. But what I don't understand is this, wearing braces for the big crash. Na, I wear knee braces for the little shit, the dab, twist or pull. That simple.

That's a every lap thing.
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skeef
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skeef 4/23/2021 1:43pm
4/23/2021 1:43pm
Since 4 years old I wore knee guards never ran into any tissue or ligament damage. But playing Lacrosse in college I blew my ACL out the first week of training camp. My body hasn't been affected from the large impacts from riding and crashing on moto, but when I start running it says no thanks and implodes.
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crowe660
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crowe660 4/23/2021 1:45pm
4/23/2021 1:45pm
Been riding with knee pads for over 30 years.. Maybe I've been lucky, but my knees feel as good as they always have. I do a lot of Hindu squats every winter for skiing/snowboarding, and i feel like it really strengthens my range of motion at the knees.
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crusher773
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crusher773 4/23/2021 1:45pm
4/23/2021 1:45pm
I tore my ACL riding a 50 in college. I have worn braces since and will always wear them. My 14 year old also feels way better in them. I just don't see how I ever rode without them.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 4/23/2021 2:14pm
4/23/2021 2:14pm
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
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CKNY
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CKNY 4/23/2021 2:24pm
4/23/2021 2:24pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2021 2:38pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
The femur thing is a wives tale according to a few top respected orthos I’ve debated the topic with. One said the force required to break your femur due to a brace would be enough to tear your leg off your knee. He asked me if I would prefer ripping my leg off or busting my leg. Also there are many levels of soft tissue damage. Minor tear or pull vs full blown compromise/rupture of an ACL or MCL. Any of the ortho surgeons I know, and I know quite a few recommend braces and use them personally.
Dr. Bill Stanish is one of the most respected and accomplished Ortho’s in Canada. He was my doc for a while and I’ve had this conversation with him numerous times.
https://nsshf.com/inductee/dr-william-stanish/
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BobPA
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BobPA 4/23/2021 2:28pm
4/23/2021 2:28pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
Can you prove that braces break femurs?
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 4/23/2021 2:29pm
4/23/2021 2:29pm
Unless you’re racing for a living, work out and ride four days a week, not worth it in my opinion. I tried knee pads out at Glamis earlier this year and while it was easier to get on the balls of my feet I missed the confidence and protection my braces bring me. Which is what Keefer was alluding to in that article. I’ll be sticking with the mobius braces as I don’t feel that they hinder my riding at all. Sorry Ryno
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CKNY
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CKNY 4/23/2021 2:31pm
4/23/2021 2:31pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
BobPA wrote:
Can you prove that braces break femurs?
No one I have ever heard about has. I’d love to see the proof.
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cablecable 4/23/2021 2:38pm
4/23/2021 2:38pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
So how does a brace not prevent soft tissue damage?

does a helmet stop all concussions?
do boots save all broken ankles?

everything can get damaged in any piece of protective gear, its about limiting the possibility of damage
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Camp332
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Camp332 4/23/2021 2:52pm
4/23/2021 2:52pm
I made the switch last year to the TP199s from POD knee braces. I definitely like the better feel for the bike, mobility, and just more free to move.
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Crossup
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Crossup 4/23/2021 3:30pm
4/23/2021 3:30pm
The last seven years I've been riding with D3O knee pads. A month ago I bought a set of Mobius knee braces. I've been out on eight rides so far and really like them. For Woods riding and extreme Enduro I think I'm going to stick with a knee braces.
Ramrod
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Ramrod 4/23/2021 3:42pm
4/23/2021 3:42pm
I switched out from PodMx knee braces to Leatt Dual Axis for this season and comfort on long rides is up. I like that my graphics and knees in my pants are doing better.
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sandman768
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sandman768 4/23/2021 3:43pm
4/23/2021 3:43pm
Anyone who has been through an ACL surgery and rehab understands it’s no joke. I don’t like wearing knee braces, But I do, Pods. I believe they can help prevent some damage in some situations. I know they are not 100% effective in all situations, but mentally they make me feel safer.
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SoCalMX70
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SoCalMX70 4/23/2021 3:46pm
4/23/2021 3:46pm
Leatt Dual Axis knee guards since I started riding/racing again 4 years ago. I don't know... I've tried knee braces and they just bothered the hell out of me. Run whatever makes you feel most comfortable. I won't pretend to know if one or the other will make you a better rider (*cough* Ryno).
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cloverdale
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cloverdale 4/23/2021 4:05pm
4/23/2021 4:05pm
This post may be a little miss leading. While there are knee braces and guards.... The TP support items are somewhat in between both worlds. Yes, I swear by the TP items....
I have been at this since 1973....
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motorick5052
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motorick5052 4/23/2021 4:17pm
4/23/2021 4:17pm
I read Keefer’s article curious to see whet he’d think about the comparison... I was surprised but not shocked to hear his report and here is why,
I completely detached the ACL in my right knee in 2007.
After all the usual doctor appts/procedures etc my own highly regarded orthopedic doctor said he would prescribe knee braces for me (and thankfully my insurance covered them!) BUT he flat out told me “there is NO brace that can prevent this from happening again” and he strongly recommended I wear whatever I felt that I could ride and race my bike the safest and most comfortable way possible!
I tried like heck to adapt to the braces, but every moto I felt far more like Forrest Gump walking around in his doctors office and far less like a conpetent motocross racer!
With my own ortho doctors words still rattling around in my head and I went back to wearing the best knee guards I could get my hands on and haven’t looked back!
I bought the same TP199 guards when they were released and really like them!
I feel more in control and able to move around on the bike etc in knee guards and that feels right for me, but my best moto buddy wears braces religiously and feels naked and vulnerable without them!
I say just do YOU! Whatever works best and feels right to you is always gonna be the best setup!
Whether in knee braces or knee guards, ride safe and have fun, thats what moto is all about! 😎
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VetRider97
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VetRider97 4/23/2021 4:24pm
4/23/2021 4:24pm

Knee braces aid in reducing lateral and hyper extension injuries when worn and fitted properly, they also provide good protection from impacts because they cover areas around knee. I wear Mobius braces and the provide good coverage. Can't see where keen guards can provide same degree of protection in those cases.

Coming from a old guy with years of racing experience that quit using knee braces due to comfort issue and tore a ACL with knee guards and seeing a very serious hyper extension and vascular issue at knee with knee guards on from moto.

IMO if you ride a lot for years like me it's only makes sense to provide the better protection for your knees.



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Crossup
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Crossup 4/23/2021 4:30pm
4/23/2021 4:30pm
On the Whiskey Throttle Show podcast with Dave Castillo, at about 1:10 minutes and he mentioned that since his family have designed knee braces (Asterisk) he said that none of them work unless they're attached to the boot. I'm not exactly sure what he meant but he was pretty adamant that no knee braces in the market work properly unless they're attached to the boot.

whiskey throttle show
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TheGetFresh 4/23/2021 4:42pm
4/23/2021 4:42pm
Hughes has basically said if you can’t train and ride as often as he does, you shouldn’t be risking your life on a dirt bike. At least that seemed to be the point he was trying to make on an Instagram video he took on the highway leaving Glen Helen last year.

Most people don’t have time to ride and train like that. A lot of people have genetic or lifestyle defects that make braces a necessity. Some people just like the way they feel. Hughes made a career out of being a tough, fit racer and now a tough, fit ...whatever he is now. I’m sure pads are great for him, but his advice is not one size fits all. Most of us are enthusiasts who ride when we can make time for it.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 4/23/2021 4:51pm
4/23/2021 4:51pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
cablecable wrote:
So how does a brace not prevent soft tissue damage? does a helmet stop all concussions? do boots save all broken ankles? everything can get damaged...
So how does a brace not prevent soft tissue damage?

does a helmet stop all concussions?
do boots save all broken ankles?

everything can get damaged in any piece of protective gear, its about limiting the possibility of damage
Read Keefer’s article. That’s what I based it off of. All in all it’s a simple preference. No big deal either way
Zycki11
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Zycki11 4/23/2021 4:52pm
4/23/2021 4:52pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
BobPA wrote:
Can you prove that braces break femurs?
I had a buddy do his twice, the line was right at the top of the brace. In the end who knows.
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419250f
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419250f 4/23/2021 5:16pm
4/23/2021 5:16pm
Crossup wrote:
On the Whiskey Throttle Show podcast with Dave Castillo, at about 1:10 minutes and he mentioned that since his family have designed knee braces (Asterisk) he...
On the Whiskey Throttle Show podcast with Dave Castillo, at about 1:10 minutes and he mentioned that since his family have designed knee braces (Asterisk) he said that none of them work unless they're attached to the boot. I'm not exactly sure what he meant but he was pretty adamant that no knee braces in the market work properly unless they're attached to the boot.

whiskey throttle show
I believe the energy would be transferred to your hip then.
jemcee
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jemcee 4/23/2021 5:17pm
4/23/2021 5:17pm
I've said this before and I'll say it again haha..
The human body is designed to go 7 km/h (5 m/hr) and not bump into things.. It can't compete with the forces MX puts it through.. In other words it needs all the help it can get..

Also I dunno if I'm keen to buy knee protection named after the guy with no doubt the most damaged knees in the world haha
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SteveUrchin
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SteveUrchin 4/23/2021 5:50pm
4/23/2021 5:50pm
Knee braces for me!! I dab my foot in ruts more than the pros do hard to compare that to the average joe.
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IanMac138
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IanMac138 4/23/2021 6:20pm
4/23/2021 6:20pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
BobPA wrote:
Can you prove that braces break femurs?
I compounded (exploded) my femur into 10+ pieces wearing custom CTi's. The main shard of bone came out right at the top of the brace. Not sure if the brace had anything to do with the femur exploding but kind of interesting that it happened where the brace wasn't secured. My knee was fine, so the brace did it's job there?
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BobPA
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BobPA 4/23/2021 6:35pm
4/23/2021 6:35pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma...
Pads for me. Better grip, and the doc said it himself. Soft tissue damage can’t be solved with braces. Not to mention it takes the trauma and sends it to your femur. Many a snapped femur from braces.
BobPA wrote:
Can you prove that braces break femurs?
IanMac138 wrote:
I compounded (exploded) my femur into 10+ pieces wearing custom CTi's. The main shard of bone came out right at the top of the brace. Not...
I compounded (exploded) my femur into 10+ pieces wearing custom CTi's. The main shard of bone came out right at the top of the brace. Not sure if the brace had anything to do with the femur exploding but kind of interesting that it happened where the brace wasn't secured. My knee was fine, so the brace did it's job there?
Broke my femur at the top of the brace as well. But a set of handlebars is what broke my leg. I have heard this same argument for years, just have not seen the proof. Just a bunch of anecdotal stories (like ours)
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GoggleFiend904 4/23/2021 6:46pm
4/23/2021 6:46pm
I’m going to stay with braces.. I got kicked on a table a few years ago and the first thing to touch the ground when I landed was my left foot (didn’t crash). My two inside toenails were purple by the time I took my boot off. I was on crutches for a few days and thought was going to need surgery. Fast forward a few weeks and I was good to go.

I’ve gotten used to them so they don’t bother me a bit
Pool-eh
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Pool-eh 4/23/2021 7:07pm
4/23/2021 7:07pm
I broke my femur in 4 places wearing an ortho prescribed brace after an all tear. Happened right where the top of the brace sat on my leg. Femur ortho doc looked at it and my brace and said that the brace at least caused it to break at that spot. He did say that it was still possible I would’ve broken it regardless, brace or not, but most likely would’ve been another acl and not a femur. I don’t really ride anymore but when I do on rare occasion I leave the knee brace at home.
That being said I don’t buy Ryno’s argument. Just personal preference
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