Coping with knee pain in sports

Hockey Knee Pain

Category Archives: Product Reviews

Sombra Warm Therapy Gel – Review

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Sombra Warm Therapy Gel – Review

sombra warm therapy gelSombra Warm Therapy Pain Relieving Gel has become one of the leading topical pain relief products on the market today. The gel has a refreshing orange/citrus smell to it which a lot of users have commented on.

It absorbs exceptionally quickly and gives a strong heating sensation that penetrates deep into the muscles. The ingredients used are alcohol free and don’t leave that greasy, sticky feeling that other products sometimes have.

Better than Tiger Balm, BenGay, or anything else I’ve ever tried. The best part is that it doesn’t make my hands greasy or stain my clothes at all. – Amazon reviewer

Sombra Warm Therapy Gel details

– Active Ingredients

Camphor 3.0%

Menthol 3.0%

– Other Ingredients

aloe vera extract, capsaicin, carbomer, decyl polyglucose, deinoized water, grapefruit seed extract, green tea extract, orange peel extract, queen of the prairie extract, rose water, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, vegetable glycerin, witch hazel, yucca extract.

Treats

Sombra Warm Therapy is aimed at treating minor aches and pains of muscles and joints, simple backaches, strains, bruises and sprains.

Features/Benefits

Absorbs quickly – no massaging it in forever

Refreshing scent

Unique warming and cooling ingredients that stimulate muscles and nerves and help reduce pain.

Non Greasy & Non Staining meaning no mess on your hockey equipment or clothes.

Great for pre-exercise loosen up!

Pros: More than 80% of the reviews on Amazon are 5 star reviews meaning you can be confident with your purchase.

Cons: Some people claim it provides too much heat and that the smell was a bit intense.

Overall Verdict 4.57/5

Compared with Penetrex, this product has less overall reviews. No product is going to work for everyone, and whilst Penetrex has more reviews, it may not be right for you. I would happily use Sombra Warm Therapy gel as an alternative.

Order Sombra Warm Therapy gel here

McDavid Knee Brace – Pro Stabilizer Review

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mcdavid knee brace

McDavid Knee Brace – Pro Stabilizer Review

Mcdavid Knee Brace

This McDavid Knee Brace is a great example of a company getting it right! The Pro Stabilizer consistently gets top customer reviews and ranks highly against its competitors.
“I love the pull tabs on the top. I’ve had other braces without these and they are definitely a great feature. It makes getting the brace on much easier!” – Amazon Reviewer
You can see that it is well made, which means durability. It has solid support, and thoughtful features such as the finger tab. The hinges are covered so no snagging on clothes or shin guards.

Specs

 – material: 4.8mm Neoprene
 – brace type: Patellofemoral with Hinged side bracing
 – support level: High
 – features/benefits:
  • thick thermal neoprene sleeves to provide therapeutic body heat retention
  • Firm compression and soft tissue support
  • Extra long sleeve protects against abrasion
  • Padded horseshoe buttress protects and relieves pressure from the patella
  • Hinges on both sides of the knee
  • Two-sided nylon construction for added durability
  • Adjustable Velcro straps
  • Fits right or left knee
Pros: Extra features such as finger pull tab. Excellent feedback on Amazon for piece of mind. Recommended by other leading Knee Brace websites.
Cons: Wide profile could make fit difficult for hockey players. The Hinges do stick out which means fitting under clothes is an issue

Overall Verdict 4.4/5

Lots of positive reviews and happy customers make this McDavid knee brace easy to recommend. My impression is that it is an excellent knee brace, providing full support and stability for weak knees. However, that being said, I think the bulk of the brace would mean it doesn’t suit a hockey players needs. If you have low profile or narrow shin guards, the braces hinges would not fit comfortably and probably cause discomfort and be a distraction.

If you aren’t planning on using the brace whilst playing or training, I can easily recommend it.

Get the McDavid Pro Stabilizer knee support here

Knee Pain Relief – Penetrex

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knee pain relief

Knee Pain Relief by Penetrex

“After about four weeks using it three times a day, the pain is gone! I really can’t believe a cream could work so well.” – Amazon Review

So, does it work? Over 4000 people say it does! There are so many positive reviews for Penetrex that it would be ridiculous to overlook it.

For the best knee pain relief, people want something that is fast acting and penetrates deep into the knee, and Penetrex provides. The product claims that its aim is to repair and heal damage rather than act solely as a pain killer, and focuses on treating the root causes of the inflammation thus reducing the recovery time.

Penetrex details

knee pain relief
Penetrex pain relief cream

 – Active Ingredients:

  • Vitamin B6, MSD/DMSO2
  • CMO (Cetyl Myristoleate)
  • Choline Bitartrate
  • Arnica
  • Boswellia Serrata

 – Treated Conditions:

  • Tennis Elbow
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Sciatica
  • Back Pain
  • Restless Leg Syndrome RLS
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Shin Splints
  • Neuropathy
  • Sore Back
  • Sore Neck
  • Golfers Elbow
  • Repetitive Strain
  • Trigger Finger
  • Heel Spurs
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gout
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Knee Pain
  • Hip Pain

 – features/benefits:

  • Advanced Formulation Penetrex® is The #1 Pain Relief Therapy on Amazon 3 Years running. Recommended for use on its own or as a complimentary application along with braces, splints, gloves, ultrasound treatment, physical therapy, massage, etc.
  • Hundreds of Thousands of clients in over 65 countries have now discovered this breakthrough transcutaneous treatment. Recently updated, Penetrex now provides added potency and is a Paraben-Free product.
  • 100% Unconditional, Money-Back “Relief Guarantee”. No Questions Asked – No Time Limit.
  • Immediate, Lasting, Healing Relief For Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Golf & Tennis Elbow, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Sciatica, Back Pain, Shin Splints, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Plantar Fasciitis, etc.
  • Researched, Developed, Formulated & Filled By A Renowned Chemist in Southern California. This Product Does Occasionally Become Back-Ordered. Order Your Supply Of Penetrex Today!
Pros: The things I like about this product: many, many positive reviews from satisfied customers. Penetrex offers a 100% unconditional satisfaction guarantee – don’t like it or think its not working and you can return it. The company claims only a 1% return rate (1 in every 100 sold)
Cons: For all the positive reviews, there are a number of negatives that drag the overall percentage down. Penetrex does state that the aim of the product is to treat the underlying cause rather than provide temporary pain relief. The product is attempting to solve everyones problem. Maybe its just like when you were a kid mixing paint and it always turned brown?

Overall Verdict – 4.3/5

For a hockey player, Penetrex could be just what you need for knee pain relief and get you through the game. Used in conjunction with a knee brace or sleeve, Penetrex has enough satisfied customers that it really could be the miracle it claims to be. Besides, it offers an unconditional 100% money back guarantee if you’re not happy.

Purchase Penetrex today

McDavid Ligament Knee Support Review

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mcdavid ligament knee support

McDavid Ligament Knee Support Review
mcdavid ligament knee support

A superb, highly supporting knee brace, the McDavid Ligament Knee Support rates highly for its price. Its primary feature is the extra cross straps to aid in ligament support and securely hold the knee in place.

My First impressions are that the Knee Support will provide excellent support and stability for someone who has mild ligament damage.

“It offers extremely good quality and the criss/cross straps are what most people need to support weak knees” – Amazon reviewer

Specs
 – material: 100% Latex free 4.8mm Neoprene
 – brace type: Patellofemoral
 – support level: Moderate
 – features/benefits:
  • Reinforced medial-lateral support with spring steel stays aids in prevention of ligament injuries
  • Four elastic crossing straps add ligament support
  • Padded buttress supports the patella
  • Top and bottom hook and loop closures ensure outstanding fit
  • Latex-free neoprene provides thermal/compression therapy
  • Seamless, perforated back panel for 
all-around comfort
  • Outer heavy-duty nylon fabric for durability
  • Fits left or right
Pros: Extra cross straps that aid patellar tracking and keep the brace firmly in position.  Smooth rear panel that prevents chafing and pinching by the straps.
Cons: Pull up sleeve type brace so sizings are smaller than expected.

Overall Verdict 4/5

The McDavid Ligament Knee Support is a solid brace that provides excellent support for its price. Its best feature is the extra wrap around straps that snuggly hold the knee in place. I actually also like that it is a sleeve type brace that slides up the leg. This offers a better fit than the wrap around design of other braces. Be sure to get your measurements correct when ordering as these braces tend to be on the small side. The biggest draw back that some customers found is that the cross straps are anchored at the side of the brace rather than wrapping around.

Purchase the McDavid ligament knee support here

Pro-Tec Athletics Knee Brace Sleeve

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knee brace sleeve

Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force – Review

protec_gelforce

Targeting Basketballers, the Gel Force knee brace sleeve by Pro-Tec Athletics is also a good choice for hockey players needing basic knee support or added protection.

“What I thought was a sales pitch (4way stretch design), is not. Unlike some past girlfriends, this brace is pretty supportive.” – Amazon reviewer

The Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force is a comfortable, supporting and high mobility knee sleeve. It provides patellar tracking support through an oval gel insert. It also has basic lateral support on both the inside and outside of the knee through two ‘spring’ stays.

Specs

 – material: 4 way stretch nylon
 – brace type: Sleeve
 – support level: Minimal
 – features/benefits:
  • Thick oval gel provides excellent comfort and support to patellar (knee cap) area.
  • Medial (inside) and lateral (outside) spiral stays offer overall knee-joint stability.
  • 4-way stretch material provides supportive compression while allowing full range of motion.
  • Light, breathable fabric keeps skin dry reducing any fabric irritation.
Pros: Aimed at alleviating pain and providing moderate stability for those niggling pains.
Cons: Can bunch up and pinch back of knee

Overall Verdict 4.2/5

Although aimed at Basketball players, the Gel Force knee brace sleeve is also a good choice for hockey players. It offers a basic level of support through compression and lateral springs. The feature I like the most is the Gel Patellar support providing just that little extra padding to the knee cap. It also has very high reviews on Amazon – comfortable is a word that comes up a lot. I did notice that the main negatives were sizing and pinching at back of knee. Overall, if you’re a hockey player that just needs that extra bit of protection on their knees, then I recommend the Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force knee support.
To purchase the Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force Knee Support click here

Mueller Pro Level XXL Knee Brace – Review

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xxl knee brace

Mueller Pro Level XXL Knee Brace – Review

Mueller Pro Level XXL knee braceMueller knee braces have produced an ideal leg brace for larger legs. The Pro Level sizes from an XXL Knee Brace all the way down to Small, and features a wrap around design. This makes it easy to get on and off.

Its made for weak or injured knees that require side support without impeding or restricting mobility.

The brace also has a Patella buttress to support and stabilise the knee cap, adjustable straps and an open back for comfort.

“I have big legs. This was the only one big enough to fit me. I have used it for over a year and it works great.” – Amazon reviewer

Specs
 – material: neoprene
 – brace type: Hinged
 – support level: High
 – features/benefits:
  • patented Triaxial Hinges provide maximum medial/lateral support
  • Patella buttress stabilizes and protects the knee cap
  • Adjustable straps above and below the knee for added support, proper fit and comfort
  • Open back eliminates bunching behind the knee
  • Extra front padding and rugged “extra-stitching” seams
Pros: Solid hinges, snug and secure fit without sliding or pinching. The hinges and side bracing offer that extra level of support compared to some of the lower models. Designed for larger legs and comes in big sizes.
Cons: May restrict movement a bit too much as the material is quite stiff. Wider profile than other hinged braces could cause bad fit under hockey shin guards.

Overall Verdict 4/5

The very best feature of this knee brace is its extra large sizing. If you’re a hockey player with bigger legs and have had problems in the past getting a knee brace that fitted, then this could be the one for you. Overall, the brace offers standard features and could have problems fitting under a pair of hockey shin guards due to the side hinges. I would recommend this brace only if you aren’t able to find a decent fit elsewhere.

Get your Mueller XXL Knee Brace today

Neo-G Knee Stabilizer

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Knee Stabilizer

Neo G Open Knee Stabilizer – Review
Neo G Open Knee Stabilizer

My initial impression of the Neo G knee stabilizer was simply ‘ok’. However, on doing more research and reading peoples comments about it, I am much happier to rate it higher.

The Neo G Stabilized Open Knee Support has metal spiral stays to help support the knee joint. These allow controlled and flexible movement without restricting.

The open patella design with stitched buttress helps with patella tracking and provides added support. It helps with overall stability by eliminating glide and twisting at the knee.

“I can not say enough good things about this brace. I played hockey goalie for 35 years and this was the most comfortable and protective type of its kind.” – Amazon reviewer

Weight bearing pressure during movement is more evenly distributed over the joint helping with arthritic and meniscus pain. The durable, heat therapeutic neoprene helps with arthritic knees, chronic aches and stiffness. A dynamic support, ideal for occupational use, summer and winter sporting activities such as tennis, skiing, golf etc.

Specs
 – material: Neoprene & Nylon
 – brace type: Patellofermoral with side stays
 – support level: Moderate
 – features/benefits:
  • Helps with strains, sprains, instability and patellar tracking in the knee
  • Helps support and stabilize injured, weak or arthritic knees during occupational and sporting activities
  • Interchangeable metal spiral stays on either side help provide flexible support and the open patella design and stitched buttress help give reinforced support to the patella
  • The product is a Universal Size (fits most), provides adjustable support, fits the Left or Right knee & is Unisex
  • Registered with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK as a Class 1 Medical Device
Pros: 3 strap system to hold firmly in place.
Cons: Some complaints that the velcro doesnt hold for long. Centre strap can chafe behind knee.

Overall Verdict 4.2/5

Solid looking brace with plenty of good feedback. Neo G has established credibility being registered with various global healthcare regulatory agencies. Initially I didnt like the brace, but on further review I have to admit that it is a very good option for hockey players who need a moderate level of support.
Get your Neo G Stabilised Open Knee Support here

Rehband Knee Sleeve Review

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rehband knee

rehband

Rehband Knee Sleeve

“they are a must have for those with connective tissue issues in the knees.” – Amazon Review

The Rehband Knee Sleeve is one of Amazons best sellers. It’s very popular with bodybuilding market who use it to support their knees when lifting. The sleeve provides excellent compression due to its 7mm neoprene material construction.

Simple and elegant design.

Product Specs
– material: 7mm Neoprene
– brace type: Sleeve
– support level: Minimal
– features/benefits:

  • anatomical shape for better fit

Pros: Lightweight & Simple design providing excellent compression

Cons: Target market are bodybuilders rather than hockey players.

Overall Verdict – 4.8/5

Has exceptional reviews with very few negatives. Best for Hockey Players needing added support or who are recovering from mild bruising.

Purchase your Rehband Knee Sleeve here