Preventing Rubbing and Hot Spots with Unloader Brace during Hiking and Stair Climbing

[Bill's_Walking]

I've been wearing an unloader brace that my doctor prescribed for a hair line fracture in my knee. It's healing well and next week should be the last week I need it full time. However, my doctor says that for the next year I should wear it for hiking and going up and down stairs. I'm walking part of the Frances in June and will be using the brace. My question is what do you use to prevent rubbing and hot spots? I've thought of taping the leg at pressure points, compression capri pants and a sleeve. Has anyone tried these or something else? What worked and what did not?

 

[henrythedog]

I've been wearing an unloader brace that my doctor prescribed for a hair line fracture in my knee. It's healing well and next week should be the last week I need it full time. However, my doctor says that for the next year I should wear it for hiking and going up and down stairs. I'm walking part of the Frances in June and will be using the brace. My question is what do you use to prevent rubbing and hot spots? I've thought of taping the leg at pressure points, compression capri pants and a sleeve. Has anyone tried these or something else? What worked and what did not?

I used KT tape under a firm knee support in early 2022 when my right knee decided not to cooperate. It eliminated any friction rubbing - but the support was prone to move around a little. Also - with any tape it’s important to be certain that you will not ‘react’ to the adhesive if it’s in place for more than a couple of days. I’d suggest sticking a sample patch to the inside of your ankle for a while, where the skin is typically thinner and more sensitive to be certain before committing to it as a solution.

 

[Tincatinker]

Running tights and a sleeve worked for me to a point but things got pretty sweaty. Heat rash and skin slough were a real pain. I found I had to walk short days and spend a lot of time just airing my skin. Stripping everything off a couple of times a day without frightening the horses was a challenge. My GP recommended Vaseline which was about as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard. The accumulation of trail dust, shed skin and merino fluff needed scraping with the edge of my bank card. Try shoving that in a cash machine

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Bring the topic up with a physical or occupational therapist also. They must have seen plenty of cases.

 

[malingerer]

Running tights and a sleeve worked for me to a point but things got pretty sweaty. Heat rash and skin slough were a real pain. I found I had to walk short days and spend a lot of time just airing my skin. Stripping everything off a couple of times a day without frightening the horses was a challenge. My GP recommended Vaseline which was about as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard. The accumulation of trail dust, shed skin and merino fluff needed scraping with the edge of my bank card. Try shoving that in a cash machine

Lord ha mercy! I learn something new every day. Chocolate fireguards. Sweet baby Jesus I pray, keep the pilgies OFF the trail and let it rewild
Samarkand.

 

[Tincatinker]

Bless you brother. When the good lord created us she did it with a smile

 

[henrythedog]

Lord ha mercy! I learn something new every day. Chocolate fireguards. Sweet baby Jesus I pray, keep the pilgies OFF the trail and let it rewild
Samarkand.

Nurse!

 

[Keith H]

I used KT tape under a firm knee support in early 2022 when my right knee decided not to cooperate. It eliminated any friction rubbing - but the support was prone to move around a little. Also - with any tape it’s important to be certain that you will not ‘react’ to the adhesive if it’s in place for more than a couple of days. I’d suggest sticking a sample patch to the inside of your ankle for a while, where the skin is typically thinner and more sensitive to be certain before committing to it as a solution.

Definitely check adhesive sensitivity. I taped up a wobbly ankle using ‘brown tape’ and evidently some time since the last time I had used it I became allergic. Literally had small blisters all along where the tape was. In total it took 3 weeks to fully heal. I’ve added ‘no brown tape’ to my medical info since another encounter with it post-op

 

[Bill's_Walking]

I used KT tape under a firm knee support in early 2022 when my right knee decided not to cooperate. It eliminated any friction rubbing - but the support was prone to move around a little. Also - with any tape it’s important to be certain that you will not ‘react’ to the adhesive if it’s in place for more than a couple of days. I’d suggest sticking a sample patch to the inside of your ankle for a while, where the skin is typically thinner and more sensitive to be certain before committing to it as a solution.

Thanks. I've used KT tape to tape my knee for a meniscus tear and luckily I don't get a reaction to it.

 

[Bill's_Walking]

Running tights and a sleeve worked for me to a point but things got pretty sweaty. Heat rash and skin slough were a real pain. I found I had to walk short days and spend a lot of time just airing my skin. Stripping everything off a couple of times a day without frightening the horses was a challenge. My GP recommended Vaseline which was about as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard. The accumulation of trail dust, shed skin and merino fluff needed scraping with the edge of my bank card. Try shoving that in a cash machine

LOL. I'll definitely stay away from Vaseline or other goop.

 

[Bill's_Walking]

Bring the topic up with a physical or occupational therapist also. They must have seen plenty of cases.

Thanks, and Will do!.

 

[kaesler]

I walked the Frances in September-October with such a brace. There was just one spot on the outside of the knee that rubbed a bit so just covering it with some tape or a bandaid was sufficient.

 

[JordonOzero]

I use an offloader, too. It came with two liner options: a smooth 'sport' option (easier to clean sweat from) and a casual option that was padded fabric. It also came with an elasticized knee sleeve and several extra padding disks for where it contacts the outside of my knee. I found that the sleeve was all I needed to avoid any hotspots. It may be worth checking if the brace is adjusted correctly, especially if you are starting to heal/adjust. My knee continues to deteriorate, so I have had to adjust continually for more offloading. Even with that, however, the added pressure on the outside of my knee has been protected by the sleeve.

 

[JacTx]

Would a thin adhesive moleskin work? And like others have mentioned- check for a reaction to the adhesive.