Stiff Bindings Cause Knee Injuries

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

I was reading an article the other day about how ankle braces and taped up ankles transfer force from the ankle to the knee.

We all know knee injuries are a major problem with wakeboarding. And I could be wrong but it seems like knee injuries have increased over the years. This made me start thinking. Bindings have gotten increasingly stiffer over the years. Could this be a contributing factor to knee injuries seen in wakeboarding?

RC · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 771 City: Tuscaloosa

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

I don't know but I remember seeing something last year with Chad Sharpe talking about how he thought stiffer boots have prevented him from having knee problems.

Slope · Criminal Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 67 City: Muscle Shoals

Nope...It could be more knee injuries=more riders going bigger b/c of better technology in boards and more agressive riding styles...Stiffer boots would and do keep you aligned better so imo i will say they decrease injury...just my .02

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

haha, wow. I thought these boards might be a little more open minded.

matt1808, That could be true, but I don't think chad sharpe is exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.

Slope, I'm sure the increased level of performance in wakeboarding has led to more injuries, but could the stiffness of bindings also add to the problem? How do stiffer boots keep you alligned better? If your stance angle and width aren't right it is going to keep you out of allignment. Restricting the natural mobility of a joint does not seem like a good idea. Let your body function the way it was meant to.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Mar 04, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject:

Blindside_137 · Posted: Mar 05, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

PimpinD2 · Posted: Mar 05, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

well, your more likely to blow your knee if you don't tighten your knees along with other injuries. So id say you are wrong.

Slope · Criminal Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 67 City: Muscle Shoals

My thinking on this one was soft bindings would allow me to overpower the bindings and land lock legged..which is not good for knees...if you have a stiff pair or really supportive pair of bindings this will AID in keeping you from saying lock legged thereby decreasing knee injuries ...Example..Jstar flows which I have on a roam are soft...I can stand straight up in those and not be uncomfortable...If I put on my Gator Gators or 3Ds's or gator gonzal or Sling Shots...I can not stand lock legged comfortably...(I tried it a few minutes ago...)..Not saying this is the only reason but I feel that it is not stiff bindings causing the injuries..

pooser, I also do not think the body was designed to function around a s-bend but it does...

Just My Opinion...Not worth .02 cents... Laughing