Description of Opedix R1 Running Knee Support System Tight - Women's:
Invest in your knees’ future now, because if they don’t already hurt from running, they are currently plotting against you. Opedix put tons of thought and research into the Women’s R1 Knee Support System Running Tight, and the result was a super-supportive system that reduces the jarring and stressful loading your knees endure when you take a scenic trail run. Strategically-arranged stretch bands counter the forces that wear your knees down as your feet strike the ground. The result? Improved alignment, less joint trauma, and longer, happier runs in the future.
Bottom Line: Because the ibuprofen has really been adding up.
Opedix Knee Support System Reduces Knee Joint Loading during Running
Michael J. Decker, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Business Development
The external knee adduction moment is a biomechanical variable that predicts load distribution between the medial and lateral compartments of the knee when the foot is in contact with the ground during the stance phase of walking or running. This moment produces the outward motion of the knee (knee adduction) and larger moments are associated with increased medial knee compartment loading, pain and disease progression.
Mechanical interventions such as knee braces and foot orthotics have been developed to adjust knee joint alignment in order to reduce the external knee adduction moment and unload the medial knee compartment. Although these devises have successfully reduced the external knee adduction moment by as much as 38%, they are reportedly uncomfortable, bulky and have low patient compliance.
Opedix has made available a running compression garment with a patented Knee Support System designed to comfortably reduce knee joint loading by resisting the lateral motion of the knee during dynamic activities. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to quantify the effectiveness of the Opedix Knee Support System design. The lower extremity motions of a cohort of experienced runners performing multiple over-ground running trials with and without the Opedix Knee Support System were investigated in a controlled laboratory setting using high-speed cameras and force sensors. Knee adduction range of motion and the peak external knee adduction moment were statitstically compared between the two conditions.
The results of this study revealed that wearing the Opedix Knee Support System garment reduced the knee adduction range of motion by 21% and the peak external knee adduction moment by 16%. The greatest reductions in the peak external knee adduction moment were found for the heaviest runners and for the runners that demonstrated the greatest decline in knee adduction range of motion. These data are interpreted to indicate that the Opedix Knee Support System garment enhanced knee alignment and reduced the knee joint load generated during running that would presumably be sustained by the medial compartment.
Increased knee adduction and peak external knee adduction moments are related to knee joint loading and disease progression. Therefore it is likely that individuals with healthy knees and minor alignment issues could benefit from wearing the Opedix Knee Support System garment during running to avoid high joint loads and lower the rate of knee degeneration.
Testimonial:
As a private lesson instructor at Deer Valley, there are periods of time where I will have to ski for 21 days straight. In my advancing years I find this more and more difficult since when you don't have that important recovery time. Along with the fatiguing muscles I have low back issues like so many people and osteoarthritis in one knee. I didn't think I would be able to make it through another long stint until I discovered the Opedix supporting long underwear. Not only does it help with my hips and knees but it compresses the muscles and holds the IT band in such a way that me legs are less fatigued from the moment I put them on until the moment I take them off. If only they didn't have to be washed!
Renee
