Issue 049

May 2009

I keep seeing these joint supports in the shops. I’m wondering whether to get one for my bad knee – would it help? 

It depends on what is wrong with your knee. The first step is always to get a proper evaluation of the injury by a physiotherapist, osteopath or other sports injury professional. For some injuries, an ‘off the shelf’ joint support can help a little by providing a bit of compression and by keeping the joint warm. It can also have a psychological effect, and make you feel more confident about getting back into training after an injury.  

Joint supports are often misused. They shouldn’t be used to cover up real problems, or to avoid getting proper treatment and rehabilitation. It’s also best to avoid becoming dependent on the joint support – in most cases, you should aim to eventually wean yourself off it. When used correctly for the right reasons, however, they can be a real benefit.  

What’s the best kind to get?

There are many different kinds of joint support available that provide different amounts of support and compression. They range from simple fabric sleeves to much sturdier devices. The neoprene supports are the most popular with athletes, and are both simple and robust enough to use regularly in training. You may have to try several before you find the one that suits you.  

I had one of these before, and it felt fine when I put it on, but halfway through training my toes went numb.  

It’s important to get one that is the right size for you. A loose support will do you no good, while one that is too tight will be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Bear in mind that your muscles will swell up and become larger when you are training, because of the increased blood flow. Most joint supports come with measurements on the packet.  

To be sure you are getting the right one, get your tape measure out after a training session.  

I’ve had my shoulder dislocated in the past. My physio says it should be fine to start training again, but I still worry about it while I’m grappling. Can I get a support to protect it?  

Shoulder supports are available, although they are more complicated, and not always as easy to find as the more common ankle, knee, elbow, and wrist versions. If you can’t find one in the shops, try the Internet.  

Is there anything else I should think about when deciding whether to use a support?  

Consider whether you’ll be able to use it when competing. Some rules will allow you to, others won’t. Even if you are allowed to use it, bear in mind that you are telling your opponent that you have a vulnerable area. To hide this, some fighters wear supports on both sides.  

I keep spraining my ankle. I tried wearing an ankle support and it didn’t seem to make much difference. What else could I try? 

A ready-made support often doesn’t provide enough protection for an unstable joint. In addition to a good rehabilitation programme, you might benefit from using tape. This isn’t as simple or convenient as a joint-support, but it can be made much more secure and has the advantage that you can tailor it to your own individual needs. We’ll cover the basic principles of taping in a future issue.  

Professional fighter Dr Rosi Sexton PhD is a sports therapist and osteopath-in-training based in Manchester, England. She has fought in countries such as Russia, Canada, and the USA, and is ranked as one of the top competitors in her weight class. For more information go to www.rosisexton.wordpress.com