Skiing and Your Knees - Page 2

Mobility, Range of Motion, then strength are the keys to healthy knees... hip mobility, hamstring strength, and proper alignment can all be achieved with an appropriate approach to strength and conditioning.

I've torn my left ACL (high school basketball) and broken my left femur (skiing accident 2010) and suffer absolutely 0 negative effects from either injury.  That said, I hammer my legs at the gym with square stance for strength/power, split stance for mobility,  single leg for symmetry and balance, and plyometric activities on a weekly basis.  I don't believe in tights, orthotics, or other exterior contraptions used to make up for physical compensations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzi Wells 
.  I don't believe in tights, orthotics, or other exterior contraptions used to make up for physical compensations.

Wouldn't they make your legs feel good though?
 

Thank you to all the EpicSki members that have been sharing with the community their feedback on the Opedix tights.  Based on the questions and comments that have been posted, we would like to share the results of a study that was completed on our knee support tights last year.  To view the entire study, please visit our web site at https://www.opedix.com/the-science and click on the link to download the report.  

Also, based on the requests from members, we are reactivating the EpicSki promotional code that we previously offered.  To get 10% off your Opedix purchase at www.opedix.com, please enter the code "epicski2012" in the shopping cart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzi Wells 

That said, I hammer my legs at the gym with square stance for strength/power, split stance for mobility,  single leg for symmetry and balance, and plyometric activities on a weekly basis.  I don't believe in tights, orthotics, or other exterior contraptions used to make up for physical compensations.

I can see your points, yet I have seen folks right after an ACL tear learn to stabilize & co contract to walk w/o any bracing.  This tights look to be high quality items & if they provide the proper proprioceptive imput to a skier, they may never get into the positions to cause a tear. 

I doubt that they would argue that they prevent a chaos crash, yet proper feedback will set you up to be better postioned on your skis & get more enjoyment out of your time.

I rub snake oil on my knees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexzn 

So...Stumpy sold out to make a promotional video for a product?... 

 

That's a little harsh, don'tcha think? Life goes on, until it don't, and a guy's gotta eat.

As an athlete on the British Telemark Ski Team competing on the FIS Telemark World Cup circuit I have started wearing Opedix this season and noticed serious improvements to my performance. Telemark racing involves skiing GS gates, jumping and skating at the end of the race. So as you can imagine - all this puts much pressure and force on the knees!

See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tPVjgCkfNk&sns=fb

Opedix has really helped to give me the stability around the knee joint required when racing to push my skiing to the next level, allowing me to ski faster and take bigger risks.

All I can say is try it yourself!

Following my World Cup racing at: www.jackharvardtaylor.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGASkiDawg 

I think $215 is expensive for a pair of tights and my experience is that spokespeople who don't pay for products and/or get paid to wear products may stretch the truth a little.  Than being said these may keep you from ever hurting you knees.....

 

Would love to hear real people experience...

+1 on all the above.

I have a knee that was injured almost 30 years ago - partially torn ACL that I never rehabbed correctly.  I've dislocated it on multiple occasions, and now there isn't much left of it.  It's arthritic, no cartilage in the lateral compartment, bone on bone - and at almost 64 I still ski over 100 days a year.  How?  I try absolutely everything out there to improve the quality of my knee and therefore my ability to continue skiing.  Most importantly I use the CADS ski system - a major help to skiing on trashed knees.  I also wear an unloader brace for stability.  I take Sierra Joint Formula 14 to reduce inflammation of the knee.  Last year I bought the Opedix tights on sale, and have been wearing them ever since.  I can't say that they help tremendously - I haven't skied without them since I bought them - but I do like the feel of them, and as I said previously, I try everything that I think will help.

I know, they're expensive. I consider though the cost of a quality thermal bottom is in the $70 retail range.  These certainly have a lot more going on than those, and the cost is "justified", though will have to wait as other needs get taken care of.  Having had three knee operations though, I'm definitely game to try them. Basically, if they make your legs/knees feel good that's all that matters to me. Happy knees and legs work better.  I would say it's worth it, but it ain't cheap, it's a piece of equipment.  I find some of the strength claims to be dubious, and think they'd be better off dropping that.  I don't question the fatigue claims though.

 

Thanks to Opedix for the epicski offer!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackHTaylor 

As an athlete on the British Telemark Ski Team competing on the FIS Telemark World Cup circuit I have started wearing Opedix this season and noticed serious improvements to my performance. Telemark racing involves skiing GS gates, jumping and skating at the end of the race. So as you can imagine - all this puts much pressure and force on the knees!

 

See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tPVjgCkfNk&sns=fb

 

Opedix has really helped to give me the stability around the knee joint required when racing to push my skiing to the next level, allowing me to ski faster and take bigger risks.

 

All I can say is try it yourself!

 

Following my World Cup racing at: www.jackharvardtaylor.com

Hey Jack, welcome to epicski! thanks for the link.  Best wishes for your racing career this season! Let us know how it's going. We have some illustrious (to us) Brits on the site. They've even ventured over for some trips.

Liked the Chamonix couloir video! Even though you have to go till 9 min in to get to the skiing! Great music.

Wow, nothing like the Alps.  5,905 (1,800m) foot vertical and you ski into a hotel/restaruant! Amazing. That's the training right?...

jackharvardtaylor89

 

Has anyone here tried both the CX-X and the Opedix brands of tights? I'd love to hear your comparison. As I said, I really like my 3/4 length CW-X ones. But I probably need another pair soon so it would be interesting to try the other brand. Also, why does the Opedix 3/4 length one have that extra tab that sticks down on the outside of the calf, below the cuff?

I think the tab is supposed to be tucked into the top of your boots to keep the tights from riding up and in the right position on your knees. I have the full length Opedix S1 tights and do like them, though I can't give a full review yet having only skied in them for two days so far. 

Was able to find a deeply discounted pair online so I figured it was worth it to try them out. I'll review them further after more use. Also have both a short and long sleeve posture shirt which I really like for playing volleyball in. 

Mike
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinecure 

Has anyone here tried both the CX-X and the Opedix brands of tights? I'd love to hear your comparison. As I said, I really like my 3/4 length CW-X ones. But I probably need another pair soon so it would be interesting to try the other brand. Also, why does the Opedix 3/4 length one have that extra tab that sticks down on the outside of the calf, below the cuff?

I think there is evidence that functional knee braces can decrease knee injury for skiing, but otherwise the evidence is lacking.  (I posted link to study on another thread.)  

I'm skeptical of these injury-prevention claims too, but if they are warm, just as easy to wear them as smartwool longjohns.  I thought Steadman's presence on video was encouraging, but he was pretty careful in his phrasing to talk about the hope and goal of the tights, not saying it does prevent injury.  The other testimonials were pretty impressive.

And I think there is decent evidence - and a lot anecdotally - that compression tights help muscle soreness, etc. 

Anyway, the price is steep, but as someone who just had major knee surgery in October and is rehabbing to ski full-bore again in January 2013, I'll ask Santa for a pair for Xmas.  Thanks for discount code. 

I'm skeptical of the injury prevention claims. But if you buy the premise that they reduce fatigue, it isn't much of a jump to accept injury prevention. I doubt anyone would expect them to mitigate the effects of an impact or a serious rearward-twisting fall (acl tear), but if my anecdotal experience of less knee fatigue/stress is an indicator, then I'm willing to accept the prevention claim - with a grain of salt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinecure 

... if my anecdotal experience of less knee fatigue/stress is an indicator, then I'm willing to accept the prevention claim - with a grain of salt.

Yeah, I think emphasis on the knee (joint) fatigue aspect, versus muscular fatigue, is needed.  There are so many unsubstantiated claims out there, including reduced muscular fatigue, and increased proprioception, that don't seem to hold water.  But, for minor tweaking stresses to the knee, as opposed to major injuries, I do see how it could work. 

As an aside, it's odd to me that the general fitness-oriented compression products don't mention things like bench shirts, which are an example where they actually do work.  I'd think pointing to "success stories" for the concept would sell better than making claims that don't hold up.  It may be that powerlifters are such a turnoff to the fitness/lifestyle market that the overall turnoff negates the positive power of example for their advertising?  Maybe I've missed the mentions of lifting, but they're out there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpedixGear 

Thank you to all the EpicSki members that have been sharing with the community their feedback on the Opedix tights.  Based on the questions and comments that have been posted, we would like to share the results of a study that was completed on our knee support tights last year.  To view the entire study, please visit our web site at https://www.opedix.com/the-science and click on the link to download the report.  

 

Also, based on the requests from members, we are reactivating the EpicSki promotional code that we previously offered.  To get 10% off your Opedix purchase at www.opedix.com, please enter the code "epicski2012" in the shopping cart.

Much appreciated!

Quote:

Originally Posted by philskigolf 

I have no physical knee impairments nor do I hold any position within the product's provider. I have worn the product for approx. three years. I have heard the science. My experiences lead me to believe that I will never ski again without wearing these tights. 

You know those days when you get rocked into the back seat or feel those thighs burninng during or after skiing or the next moring....they have not existed for me. I am confident in their ability to curtain the effects on my thighs of poor posture/stance or the happenings of normal skiing.... Again, I don't suffer from bad knees. I wear them for longevity and comfort! 

philskigolf has one post and this is his one post. I would call this complete marketing BS.

These tights are not worth the money. Cut holes in your current tights around the patella...  just dumb

I'll ski around with you all day holding your knees together for $215.

I have the S1 tights for more than 1 year and I have worn it once, and kind of forgot about it until this post. So I tried it again, I think it has helped with the snow condition we have now. The soreness is still there but not as tiring. The reason I have not been wearing it is because I don't want to wear it and drive several hours to the mountain. That brings up a question I have. It is not easy to go to rest room with the tights on. Will it be as effective with just something around the knee area similar to a knee pad? It will be easy to put on and remove and cheaper too.

It is not really that expensive if one compare the price to a good base layer and the expenses to go skiing.

I bought Opedix (S1) to help with a pulled muscle. I had skied through a patch of "powder" next to one of the snowmaking guns earlier this season at Mammoth, and it turned out to be 4 inches of fluff over dirt. Both skis came to a dead stop, I ejected from both  and I hurt my right hamstring. Although the pain got better in a day or so, the swelling extended down to my calf, and while it would go away when I rested and elevated my leg, it swelled when I walked or skied. I decided to buy a pair for the compression, not the knees, and they work. My legs are not as tired after telemarking for 4-5 hours. I've tried on-again/off-again experiments, and the benefit seems to be there, although for an hour or two it doesn't make much of a difference.

Originally, when I had read the claims, I thought they were a gimmick, but now I like them. The price hurts -- $190 for long underwear! It's like paying $20 to park 200 yards closer to the base lodge -- I can afford it but my dirtbag heritage won't let me do it.

Good thread. Never heard of Opedix until now! I'm 60, detached right ACL, use glucosamine daily and found Synthiovial 7 (oral) hyaluronic acid very useful when skiing. Synthovial 7 really makes my knees feel more stable. I even rub it on topically and that also seems to help, although it is not listed as a recommendation. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but my knee feels better. 

Spending relatively big money on a pair of tights sounds questionable, but having strong quads and being in shape helps a lot when skiing, and at least one post said they found good support with Opedix.

As I get older, not having my thighs or knees burn in the bumps or in a tuck is harder to achieve, but enough skiing an conditioning makes a huge difference for me. 

check out McDavid knee brace...on EBay...a little metal on the side not much.....great support..around $50.....helps my 65 year old racer/coaching knees.........dj the ski j

In the spring of 2008 I had my left ACL repaired. At the start of the 2008-09 season I skied with a knee brace, but found it too cumbersome. So, I tried out the Opedix garment and found that it was similar to wearing a brace, offering great support without being as restrictive. Now when I don't wear them, the difference is extremely significant in terms of the lack of support and increased fatigue as well as the noticeable wear and tear on my joints. Opedix are the real deal!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelskier 

In the spring of 2008 I had my left ACL repaired. At the start of the 2008-09 season I skied with a knee brace, but found it too cumbersome. So, I tried out the Opedix garment and found that it was similar to wearing a brace, offering great support without being as restrictive. Now when I don't wear them, the difference is extremely significant in terms of the lack of support and increased fatigue as well as the noticeable wear and tear on my joints. Opedix are the real deal!

Early in the season for AstroTurf.

Hi,

I have worn their product for nearly 3 full season at this point. I can say w/o a doubt that they provide a significant positive effect on several counts.

Knee/leg "fatigue", and that "grainy" feeling at the end of a BIG day all all but gone. I say this as I log 80-90 days/season on both alp and tele.

They work especially well in high vibration conditions [i/e coralhead ,frozen conditions], they are warm in all but sub zero conditions,,then they only need to be augmented w a baggy real thin lower.

Top to Bot non-stoppers usually don't phase me, but out of social consideration to friends,,,I'll pull up,,,,slow but sure, they are getting the message.

If you'r on the fence about them , go for it. You'll not be sorry.
If you wish to remain critical,,,it'll just take a little longer.

snodancer

I am clearly in the target audience for this product; a few days short of 60 and been skiing for 50 years.  After 2 metal hips 8-9 years ago, I stay on groomed terrain, avoiding anything genuinely steep.   The last few years though, my knees have been barking a bit and I ski with drugstore knee "sleeves", which are essentially just compression.  This year I have had the bizarre experience of skiing my knee back into shape.  Every time I have gone (9 days) my knees have felt stronger and I have been more confident and skiing faster and longer into the afternoon.  OK, I won't recommend this approach for anyone else...That said I'm going to buy one and try it out.  (Why do we call one a pair of tights?)

I've gotten a couple more days in using my Opedix S1 tights and can say they do help with leg fatigue a lot more that traditional base layers.  Not sure about the knee support aspect of the claims and tend to doubt them, but fresher legs should mean less sore knees so maybe they do help the knee also.  They definitely don't offer the type of support that a knee brace with side stays does, but those are clumbersome to wear when skiing.

As for price, I was able to find some deeply discounted tights and feel as though the money was well spent.

If anyone is looking, I have a pair of new with tags Opedix R1 tights, Men's medium, that I would like to sell.  Same construction as the S1, but a lighter weight material.  I thought I was between a Medium and Large size, but it turns out the large is right for me.

Mike

For those who have the fancy tights, What would be the difference in the new specialty tights and two standard ($10) elastic knee braces under conventional long johns?

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveturner 

For those who have the fancy tights, What would be the difference in the new specialty tights and two standard ($10) elastic knee braces under conventional long johns?

About 195 bucks.

Alexzn,

Don't know how to break this to you... but I have been making product commercials and videos since the beginning of my career in 1983.  In fact, my commercial work has always supported (read subsidized) the ski films... from Swatch, Salomon and K2 in the early days to Disney's Super Bowl commercial with Tony Hawk... in 2001, advertising has always subsidized me making ski films.  Then there are the music videos... Is working for Willie Nelson selling out?  Again, the money earned from such a project subsidized my ability to make ski films.

Please realize I never do work for a company or artist that I do not believe in.  Opedix feels like being at Apple Computer in the early days... Go try a pair out and let me know whether I "sold out" or am helping people perform better with less fatigue.

And don't miss "Legend Of Aahhh's" in theaters this month.

Peace,

Stumpy