Knee supports

[eddieq]

I suffered a knee injury in May.  My PT is going well and the doctor does not want to do surgery at this time.  I was using crutches right after memorial day but moved to a cane within a week or so.  I am off the cane now and I've been weaned off of the hinged brace as of last week.  I've been told I can return to the field this summer/fall (on the bases or doing slow pitch softball) while I continue to work on strength and mobility. Yes, I am primarily a softball umpire.  Don't hate me lol

Do any of you other old fellas use/wear a knee support while working?  I know there are a number of different style compression sleeves out there, but I suspect most of them just function as a wallet flush.

I'd appreciate the benefit of anyone's experience here.  Thanks!

[Velho]

My go-tos are below.

Keep strengthening the entire chain (lower back all the way down to your ankles). Even without a right ACL and after meniscus surgery on that knee last year, strengthening has enabled me to no longer wear them. 

Lighter duty that can be worn as much as you like

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055QNLR8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1

 

Heavier for activity (including games)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00598YBJY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

 

[Richvee]

2 hours ago, Velho said:

My go-tos are below.

Keep strengthening the entire chain (lower back all the way down to your ankles). Even without a right ACL and after meniscus surgery on that knee last year, strengthening has enabled me to no longer wear them. 

Lighter duty that can be worn as much as you like

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055QNLR8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1

 

Heavier for activity (including games)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00598YBJY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

 

It will be three years this fall I couldn’t walk on the left knee. Torn MCL, got a cortisone shot. I stared strengthening exercises and, like you say, everything from back, core, to ankles, and bought the incrediware sleeves. They are my go to braces. I don’t do a game without them. They’re not cumbersome, and don’t ask my why or how, buy they work. 
sometimes the MCL feels it’s worse trying to to sleep. I can wear these overnight, and it provides relief and lets me sleep pain free when it acts up. 

[eddieq]

Appreciate the feedback and suggestions.  I'll look into the incrediware (sounds like something out of The Incredibles).

[eddieq]

Discharged from PT today.  Look out players, this blue is coming back

[The Man in Blue]

On 7/15/2026 at 2:59 PM, Richvee said:

It will be three years this fall I couldn’t walk on the left knee. Torn MCL, got a cortisone shot. I stared strengthening exercises and, like you say, everything from back, core, to ankles, and bought the incrediware sleeves. They are my go to braces. I don’t do a game without them. They’re not cumbersome, and don’t ask my why or how, buy they work. 
sometimes the MCL feels it’s worse trying to to sleep. I can wear these overnight, and it provides relief and lets me sleep pain free when it acts up. 

 

Curious to know more about what it is you like about these?  My wife fell at the beginning of the summer (on vacation) and cracked the top of her tibia.  She is scheduled to have the range limiter removed in a few weeks, but they recommended continuing to wear the brace.  She was asking about when she goes back to work (she is an OR nurse and is on her feet and moving a lot), and they said she could still wear it for support and stability.  It is kind of bulky though.  Wondering if this may be an option.

[Velho]

22 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Curious to know more about what it is you like about these?

Rich can speak for himself obviously but I find the Incrediware comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. They are fabric and not neoprene so breath and they aren't overly tight. Just comfortable to wear all day.

They won't limit motion or provide as much support as neoprene sleeves (of which there are varying levels of braces and weight). I think they are good for lingering knee issues in a non-high activity level setting.

[Richvee]

On 7/23/2026 at 1:36 PM, The Man in Blue said:

 

Curious to know more about what it is you like about these?  My wife fell at the beginning of the summer (on vacation) and cracked the top of her tibia.  She is scheduled to have the range limiter removed in a few weeks, but they recommended continuing to wear the brace.  She was asking about when she goes back to work (she is an OR nurse and is on her feet and moving a lot), and they said she could still wear it for support and stability.  It is kind of bulky though.  Wondering if this may be an option.

@Velho pretty much nailed it. I can wear them all day and they provide comfort. I think they help ease the pain when Om on the field and running on it.  (or that may be the Tylenol😁). I certainly wouldn’t  call it a “brace”, but it does seem to give the knee some added support. I try to keep the muscles around my knee fairly strong to protect the MCL. The weird thing about the MCL is it may hurt more sitting on the couch  or laying in bed and turning the “wrong way”. When the knee isn’t feeling its best, I can wear these sleeves overnight and they provide comfort. 

[BLWizzRanger]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B44SWC67?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

These were what I used for my arthritis during games and, while I can't say for sure how much they helped when paring these with knee candy (Advil), I do think they did.

I only posted this now as I put them on today to protect my new knee when I starting working on my garage floor fixing my brakes.  I wanted to keep my knee clean.  I have felt a major difference in the swelling discomfort while these were on.  I can't say they are better than what others have proposed. But, I can say they did help today for compression.  Good luck in finding something that works for you.

[Velho]

Working link for @BLWizzRanger's recommendation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B44SWC67?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[bluetick48]

I’ve been using these for umpiring and officiating basketball for about 6 years now. Highly recommend these over cheap braces. I got these from my Orthopaedic due to having a re-torn ACL, so my insurance covered the cost. 
 

https://www.donjoystore.com/donjoy-reaction-knee-brace

 

[Velho]

Incrediwear

1 hour ago, bluetick48 said:

https://www.donjoystore.com/donjoy-reaction-knee-brace

That reminds me that I'm a proponent of open patella for any compressive brace. The opening helps the kneecap track as it slides without compressing it down and irritating the underside (chondromalacia) or patella tendinitis. Both are painful and mobility limiting.

For me, the Incrediwear is fine since it's not overly compressive in general and particularly at the kneecap.

 

That linked brace is a beast. Never seen it before but I certainly believe it works.

[Vegas_Ump]

In my youth (age 39-49), I was both an umpire and a marathon runner.  Behind the plate, I wore the best knee braces I could find. ("Patella support" type.)  These served me well.  At age 69-70 I got both knees scoped for various wear and tear.  Long rehab, but it worked.  I was able to get a few more years in on the diamond.  I hung up my cleats in 2019 as I needed cataract surgery.   Glad I did, but I found out a few other stories I'll share later!

Good luck!  But stay in shape and stretch out!

Mike

Las Vegas

[eddieq]

Got on the field last weekend for the first time since my injury.  Worked the Special Olympics softball championship for my state.  It's slow pitch so the deep squats weren't needed but still a lot of pop up, run, plant, turn, etc. we do.  I worked 11 games over the weekend (9 behind the plate) and not a peep out of the knee.  Everything else hurt though lol.

I have a friendly scheduled for next week with the local FP travel coach.  We'll see how it holds up then.

Thanks again for the war stories and first hand experience here.

[Velho]

1 hour ago, eddieq said:

Worked the Special Olympics softball championship for my state.

I had the luck of doing that 2 years ago (though it was 10 or 11 games in one day, was definitely feeling that). So much fun.

[eddieq]

10 minutes ago, Velho said:

I had the luck of doing that 2 years ago (though it was 10 or 11 games in one day, was definitely feeling that). So much fun.

Yeah, I've been doing the games for about 13 years.  Missed a couple with covid closedowns but this is by far the most fun I have calling any kind of ball.

[Richvee]

On 8/28/2026 at 4:41 PM, eddieq said:

Got on the field last weekend for the first time since my injury.  Worked the Special Olympics softball championship for my state.  It's slow pitch so the deep squats weren't needed but still a lot of pop up, run, plant, turn, etc. we do.  I worked 11 games over the weekend (9 behind the plate) and not a peep out of the knee.  Everything else hurt though lol.

I have a friendly scheduled for next week with the local FP travel coach.  We'll see how it holds up then.

Thanks again for the war stories and first hand experience here.

Curious what you ended up using? 

[eddieq]

Just now, Richvee said:

Curious what you ended up using? 

Actually, nothing at this point.  Kind of yolo and seeing how it goes.  I have the recommendations and links above (thanks everyone!) and if I feel I need one, I'll pull the trigger.

[eddieq]

FP friendly for a couple of local travel teams tonight. 5 innings. No knee pain or struggles holding me. 
 

good signs. 

[BLWizzRanger]

2 hours ago, eddieq said:

FP friendly for a couple of local travel teams tonight. 5 innings. No knee pain or struggles holding me. 
 

good signs. 

Just curious, with or without knee candy (advil / tylenol) ?

[eddieq]

12 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Just curious, with or without knee candy (advil / tylenol) ?

Frankly, just raw.  I took some advil last night and threw some ice on it when I got home as a "it's gonna start to hurt so get ahead of it" kind of thing, but I didn't have any pain to speak of.  

Walking around just fine today.  Pager went off at 7 AM for a hazmat call (gasoline spill at the local bus depot) and walked/stood for almost 3 hours with no issues too.  

All of that together tells me one of both of these is true

1. My injury wasn't as severe as they originally thought 

2. My healing factor is mutant like

My pain and limited mobility at the beginning was real.  Couldn't bear weight, etc.  Rest, knee candy, and ice did a lot of the initial work and the exercises from PT did the rest I guess.  

I'm still young (mid fifty's) so I'm sure I'll eventually need the replacement.

[Velho]

1 hour ago, eddieq said:

I'm still young (mid fifty's) so I'm sure I'll eventually need the replacement.

Maybe but keep doing what you're doing. Getting stronger / maintaining strength goes a long way towards delaying a replacement as long as possible.

If it's meniscus, from my very limited experience, try the strengthening rehab but, the youth mutant healing fades so they don't heal themselves anymore. I had a buckle tear that got scoped a year ago. Been a big difference in pain and no longer fear it locking up randomly (which was inhibiting stretching and strengthening).

[eddieq]

Oh, agreed.  The surgeon I consulted with about it told me that there is really nothing he could do arthroscopically that would give any benefit.  And I'm not to the point where he'd recommend a replacement at this time.  He even suggested 4 knee candies of the advil kind for flare ups.

I had been a runner but it's been about 3 or 4 years and those days of sustained running are probably behind me.  

Bonus - getting on the FP field for the first time since May didn't leave me any major muscle soreness like I usually get the first couple of weeks in April every year.  The PT and home exercises have at least kept me limber that way.

[BLWizzRanger]

Oh, agreed.  The surgeon I consulted with about it told me that there is really nothing he could do arthroscopically that would give any benefit.  And I'm not to the point where he'd recommend a replacement at this time.  He even suggested 4 knee candies of the advil kind for flare ups.
I had been a runner but it's been about 3 or 4 years and those days of sustained running are probably behind me.  
Bonus - getting on the FP field for the first time since May didn't leave me any major muscle soreness like I usually get the first couple of weeks in April every year.  The PT and home exercises have at least kept me limber that way.

Sorry if this was mentioned before but the word is that meniscus surgery hastens a knee replacement. Take it for what it is worth.

Btw, I am 10 weeks post op for my left knee replacement and 3 weeks pre op for my right. Got a arbiter game assignment on Monday for a fall ball game and had to be 'talked' out of it by my SWMBO. Seemed like old times... lol.

Good luck!

[eddieq]

The surgeon said he didn't want to do anything on the knee at this time.  There is a tear in the meniscus but that's common.  He saw a spot that was "dime sized" right behind the knee cap that was concerning and he said, "I cannot fix that - the fix is replacing the knee but we aren't doing that right now."

Good luck with your game!  Take it easy and don't take any crap