Best shoe for competitive player with knee problems

EKnee08 · Sep 24, 2009

I am a probably a 5.0 player closing in on 50 but am having issues with both my knees. A little over a year ago I had microfracuture surgery plus some other work done on my right knee which helped. Hence my username. I have been told to slow down a little but can play if 2-4 times a week including some doubles.

I have always been a Nike guy and need a shoe that has good cushioning and support. Which current Nike would you recommend? If another brand other than Nike, what shoe would you go with?

Thanks.

innoVAShaun · Sep 24, 2009

I have knee problems also. The Nike Air Max Breathe Free IIs have always provided me with excellent cushioning.

EKnee08 · Sep 24, 2009

innoVAShaun said:
I have knee problems also. The Nike Air Max Breathe Free IIs have always provided me with excellent cushioning.

Thanks-have you also tried the air max court ballistic 1.3? I was thinking of them because Nadal wears them and he had knee problems.

Nuke · Sep 24, 2009

Reebok Match Day Pumps. Heavy, but lots of padding to soothe aching knees.

N2Deep · Sep 24, 2009

I went through 5 pairs of shoes in 4 months, to find a shoe with great cushioning, because my knees and hips were aching.

Once I started wearing Nike Breathe Cage II's, all my knee and hip pains went away.

bad_call · Sep 24, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Thanks-have you also tried the air max court ballistic 1.3? I was thinking of them because Nadal wears them and he had knee problems.

would u want a shoe that may have given a player knee problems?

shabby · Sep 24, 2009

bad_call said:
would u want a shoe that may have given a player knee problems?

I have mild tendonitis, and the CB' 1.3 almost get rid of the pain. They are heavy, but with the cushioning you don't really notice it.

innoVAShaun · Sep 24, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Thanks-have you also tried the air max court ballistic 1.3? I was thinking of them because Nadal wears them and he had knee problems.

I do have a pair. The cushioning is good but the weight and ultra-durable sole take away from the comfy ride.

bad_call · Sep 24, 2009

thanks for posting your experiences with the 1.3...

EKnee08 · Sep 24, 2009

does anyone have the kswiss defier misoul tech or the asics gelresolution II?

jrod · Sep 24, 2009

EKnee08 said:
does anyone have the kswiss defier misoul tech or the asics gelresolution II?

If you really are playing at a 5.0 level at age 50, you need a performance shoe with decent cushioning. The best shoe that provides the most cushioning without any sacrifice in performance is the Asic Gel Resolution II. The only downside to this shoe is durability is not great (I get 2 months out of a pair, playing ~10-12 hours/week, hard courts, 4.0-4.5 level, age 53).

Do a search here and you will see this shoe comes highly recommended.

EKnee08 · Sep 24, 2009

jrod said:
If you really are playing at a 5.0 level at age 50, you need a performance shoe with decent cushioning. The best shoe that provides the most cushioning without any sacrifice in performance is the Asic Gel Resolution II. The only downside to this shoe is durability is not great (I get 2 months out of a pair, playing ~10-12 hours/week, hard courts, 4.0-4.5 level, age 53).

Do a search here and you will see this shoe comes highly recommended.

Yes, I did ...and decided to go with the Asics. Durability is not as important to me as protecting my knees. The only downside to me is the colors of the shoe but again my knees are more important. Thank you very much for your insight.

7tennis7 · Sep 24, 2009

k swiss no doubt

a-naik.1 · Sep 24, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Yes, I did ...and decided to go with the Asics. Durability is not as important to me as protecting my knees. The only downside to me is the colors of the shoe but again my knees are more important. Thank you very much for your insight.

Asics GR2 do have a more conservative look. The all white with orange. I've seen quite of few players where them around my club and they look excellent. I've heard good things from people wearing Ballistecs 1.3 that have knee problems. I have a severe case of Osgood-Schlatters on my right knee and I rarely get pains now from playing 3-5 hrs a day since I've been wearing the 1.3s. Definitely worth a try. Also, people have said that the Breathe Frees are great as well if you have knee problems.

EKnee08 · Sep 24, 2009

a-naik.1 said:
Asics GR2 do have a more conservative look. The all white with orange. I've seen quite of few players where them around my club and they look excellent. I've heard good things from people wearing Ballistecs 1.3 that have knee problems. I have a severe case of Osgood-Schlatters on my right knee and I rarely get pains now from playing 3-5 hrs a day since I've been wearing the 1.3s. Definitely worth a try. Also, people have said that the Breathe Frees are great as well if you have knee problems.

Thanks. Can't get ahold of the Breathe Frees, only the cage. I wore the Ballistecs around the house and the flex did not feel comfortable and one of my toes hurt after about 15 minutes.

a-naik.1 · Sep 24, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Thanks. Can't get ahold of the Breathe Frees, only the cage. I wore the Ballistecs around the house and the flex did not feel comfortable and one of my toes hurt after about 15 minutes.

Hmmm...in that case, I would check on the GR2's. Those are supposed to be superb in all aspects except the durability. I've only heard great things about that shoe. However, I've never tried them myself.

springfieldalum · Sep 24, 2009

Just out of curiosity, how are you doing with your microfracture? I am approaching 50 myself and had a microfracture in 2003. I am a competitive player myself and do pretty well, but have some swelling at times. I also had a neuroma removed and need a real cushioned shoe, so I have had the best luck with a Nike shoe with a full length air sole, K-Swiss or even the high end Lotto shoe is a good shoe too.

ZhengJieisagoddess · Sep 24, 2009

First, you need to assess what kind of feet you have (pronated? etc..) Then select some shoes that are suited to them. Only then can you look at the question of cushioning and knee-saving shoes.
Because if you get an ankle injury because you are wearing shoes that do not adequatelty support your specific feet, the whole issue of your knees will become moot.
Do some searches on the forum for how to address problem number one, then narrow your search even further by looking at the question of cushioning.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

ZhengJieisagoddess said:
First, you need to assess what kind of feet you have (pronated? etc..) Then select some shoes that are suited to them. Only then can you look at the question of cushioning and knee-saving shoes.
Because if you get an ankle injury because you are wearing shoes that do not adequatelty support your specific feet, the whole issue of your knees will become moot.
Do some searches on the forum for how to address problem number one, then narrow your search even further by looking at the question of cushioning.

Thanks for your advice. I am pronated.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

springfieldalum said:
Just out of curiosity, how are you doing with your microfracture? I am approaching 50 myself and had a microfracture in 2003. I am a competitive player myself and do pretty well, but have some swelling at times. I also had a neuroma removed and need a real cushioned shoe, so I have had the best luck with a Nike shoe with a full length air sole, K-Swiss or even the high end Lotto shoe is a good shoe too.

Wow. 2003! I thought from all I have read that although the procedure was invented in the early 90s , it has not been used on pro athletes since the early 2000s. How have you done with the procedure itself? Do you play with a brace? I use a marshall brace on both knees and sometimes the unloader on the knee which had microfracture but it really slows me down. The surgeon tends to think the unloader probably wouldn't provide me more protection than the marshall at this point. I have cut out the competition and only playing recreationally on har tru since the microfracture and not going all out. I do not want knee replacements. The other knee gets more sore now after playing and could probably also use a microfracture but we have decided against it. The crazy thing with the microfracture surgery is that I never had swelling. From the 1 week follow-up after surgery, my doctor was amazed that I never had swelling and this continued throughout rehab and after.

rtruesdell · Sep 25, 2009

Not to hijack the thread, but I also had microfracture in December 2007 (so less than two years ago). Mine sounds like it was bit different, in that the cartilage damage was in a place where it only hurt when the knee was bent with weight on it... oh, like when you play tennis! I hadn't been able to play pain-free for over 10 years before my surgery. Now, this summer I started playing again and have had great success. Very little soreness ever. I don't need any kind of bracing or anything.

For anybody out there who is considering giving up tennis because of issues like mine, go get the microfracture. It is well worth it.

Okay, back to previous thread.

Xisbum · Sep 25, 2009

rtruesdell said:
Not to hijack the thread, but I also had microfracture in December 2007 (so less than two years ago). Mine sounds like it was bit different, in that the cartilage damage was in a place where it only hurt when the knee was bent with weight on it... oh, like when you play tennis! I hadn't been able to play pain-free for over 10 years before my surgery. Now, this summer I started playing again and have had great success. Very little soreness ever. I don't need any kind of bracing or anything.

For anybody out there who is considering giving up tennis because of issues like mine, go get the microfracture. It is well worth it.

Okay, back to previous thread.

Cool that you can play at full speed again. Only problem with microfracture is that the orthopedic experts in my area won't even consider it for people in my age bracket; they want to go straight to replacement instead. I'm heading down that trail now.

Happy for you, though. Keep swinging.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

rtruesdell said:
Not to hijack the thread, but I also had microfracture in December 2007 (so less than two years ago). Mine sounds like it was bit different, in that the cartilage damage was in a place where it only hurt when the knee was bent with weight on it... oh, like when you play tennis! I hadn't been able to play pain-free for over 10 years before my surgery. Now, this summer I started playing again and have had great success. Very little soreness ever. I don't need any kind of bracing or anything.

For anybody out there who is considering giving up tennis because of issues like mine, go get the microfracture. It is well worth it.

Okay, back to previous thread.

Thats awesome! I agree but it was a long recovery time. I had great success (mine was complicated by also having a "bilateral release") and my "good" knee is now my bad knee. I played last night and the non-microfracured knee is very sore! The one with the surgery had no soreness at all! If the pain does not go away, I can get the fluid injections. (It is my understanding that it is now a one injection process instead of three injections) My doctor does not want me to have the surgery on my other knee because so much is involved in the recovery.

People going into the surgery have to be aware that alot is involved after the surgery and that it does not necessarily work and results seem to be better the younger you are. See the mixed results with professional basketball players. I think the microfracture is worth it because the worst that can happen is that you are no better off than before the surgery.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

rtruesdell said:
Not to hijack the thread, but I also had microfracture in December 2007 (so less than two years ago). Mine sounds like it was bit different, in that the cartilage damage was in a place where it only hurt when the knee was bent with weight on it... oh, like when you play tennis! I hadn't been able to play pain-free for over 10 years before my surgery. Now, this summer I started playing again and have had great success. Very little soreness ever. I don't need any kind of bracing or anything.

For anybody out there who is considering giving up tennis because of issues like mine, go get the microfracture. It is well worth it.

Okay, back to previous thread.

Thats awesome! I agree but it was a long recovery time. I had great success (mine was complicated by also having a "bilateral release") and my "good" knee is now my bad knee. I played last night and the non-microfracured knee is very sore! The one with the surgery had no soreness at all! If the pain does not go away, I can get the fluid injections. (It is my understanding that it is now a one injection process instead of three injections) My doctor does not want me to have the surgery on my other knee because so much is involved in the recovery.

People going into the surgery have to be aware that alot is involved after the surgery and that it does not necessarily work and results seem to be better the younger you are. See the mixed results with professional basketball players. I think its worth it because the worst that can happen is that you are no better off than before the surgery.

LafayetteHitter · Sep 25, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Thanks. Can't get ahold of the Breathe Frees, only the cage. I wore the Ballistecs around the house and the flex did not feel comfortable and one of my toes hurt after about 15 minutes.

The Ballistecs were not nearly as comfy as the BF2's. I have Barricade 2's, Asics Gel Resolutions and Breathe Free 2's. As far as a combo of cushioning and support you cannot be the Breathe free 2's. I wish they were easier to find.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

Xisbum said:
Cool that you can play at full speed again. Only problem with microfracture is that the orthopedic experts in my area won't even consider it for people in my age bracket; they want to go straight to replacement instead. I'm heading down that trail now.

Happy for you, though. Keep swinging.

Yes, its my understanding that the success of microfracture is to some extent age dependent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfracture_surgery
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007255.htm

How old are you? If knee replacement is the only option, I hope it goes well!

rasajadad · Sep 25, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Yes, I did ...and decided to go with the Asics. Durability is not as important to me as protecting my knees. The only downside to me is the colors of the shoe but again my knees are more important. Thank you very much for your insight.

If you buy the Asics at Holy Bird you get a 6 month outsole warranty. (From them, not from Asics.)

Xisbum · Sep 25, 2009

EKnee08 said:
Yes, its my understanding that the success of microfracture is to some extent age dependent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfracture_surgery
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007255.htm

How old are you? If knee replacement is the only option, I hope it goes well!

Wellllll, if Honest Abe were writing my epitaph, he would begin with "Three score and 3 years ago..."

I'm not to the replacement stage yet, but I do have degenerative osteoarthritis in the medial size of my left knee, aggravated by a torn miniscus and subsequent surgery 4 years ago. It's not going to get any better, but right now the single-injection Synvisc treatment seems to be working; had one in mid June, have played at least twice a week, sometimes 3 or 4, since and - knock on wood - had no flareups. Doc says we can do that treatment every 6 months, so no new knee as long as this stuff works.

BTW, to get back on the original track, I swear by the ASICS Rez 2s; best cushioned shoe I've ever worn.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

Xisbum said:
Wellllll, if Honest Abe were writing my epitaph, he would begin with "Three score and 3 years ago..."

I'm not to the replacement stage yet, but I do have degenerative osteoarthritis in the medial size of my left knee, aggravated by a torn miniscus and subsequent surgery 4 years ago. It's not going to get any better, but right now the single-injection Synvisc treatment seems to be working; had one in mid June, have played at least twice a week, sometimes 3 or 4, since and - knock on wood - had no flareups. Doc says we can do that treatment every 6 months, so no new knee as long as this stuff works.

BTW, to get back on the original track, I swear by the ASICS Rez 2s; best cushioned shoe I've ever worn.

Great to hear about the shoe. Am going to try the Asics. And the injection, happy to hear it is working for you. I will try them myself in a few months. Tried it before I had the microfracture, but didn't seem to help me , at that time it was a series of 3 injections. Now, I understand it is one injection.

EKnee08 · Sep 25, 2009

rasajadad said:
If you buy the Asics at Holy Bird you get a 6 month outsole warranty. (From them, not from Asics.)

Thanks for the info. However, I am not a fan of Holy based on my current experience. I originally ordered 2 pairs of Air Court Ballistics 1.3, the clay court version from them since no one else had them. I did not receive the clay court version, I received hard court versions and they fit a little big. The shoes came wrapped in a garbage bag, which I had to rip in order to get to the shoe box. The other mail order companies ship everything in boxes which can be used to return them. I explained this to Holy. In addition, the other companies supply a preaddressed UPS return label while Holy does not. Not only did I have to pay for shipping to return the shoes but also had to pay to buy a box to return them since UPS would not accept the "garbage bag packaging" that Holy suggested I use.
I spoke with the customer service representative supervisor and they were not willing to do a thing. It ended up costing me more money than if I were to buy the shoes from the local tennis shop.
I will never use them again. They are far less convenient and accomodating than their competitors.

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