As a registered physiotherapist and clinic owner in Toronto, I treat a variety of patients (sports, wcb, mva, private) and believe in offering complete care at my own practice. Offering “complete care” includes recommending helpful advice and products that can boost your patient’s recovery.
Knee injuries are fairly common to see in physiotherapy practice, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries - most commonly tears of the ACL. In fact, according to research there are approximately 100,000 ACL tears in the US occurring annually.
Because the ACL is crucial for stabilizing the knee, it is essential to provide support during recovery. Whether it’s a complete reconstruction of the ACL with surgery, or nonoperative treatment, ACL knee braces can help provide patients with comfort and support they need to continue going about their everyday activities, while at the same time engaging in their recovery protocol.
Today I want to share my opinion on what I like/don’t like about CSC's top 10 best selling ACL knee braces, as well as which type of patients are most suited for these products so we can better help clinicians offer complete care for your practice.
Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace
Best Feature:
- One year warranty on frame and hinges
Benefits of Product:
- This Donjoy ACL knee brace is lightweight
- Comfortable, easy to use, patient friendly
- Ergonomic design gives clearance for thigh and calf of the contralateral leg
- Contoured to fit to patient’s anatomy
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with an ACL injury
- Knee brace for torn ACL
Alternative Product:
DonJoy Playmaker II FourcePoint as it provides similar support and is also commonly used with an ACL injury.
Bauerfeind SecuTec Genu Knee Brace
Best Feature:
- Anatomically designed to fit flat and close to the knee
Benefits of Product:
- Aluminum frame provides strong stabilization of the knee
- Physiological hinges can be adjusted to fit rehab needs
- Easy to wear
- Breathable, lightweight, non slip pads mean brace will not slip
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with knee instabilities
- Patients post ACL/PCL surgery
- Knee brace for acl injury
Alternative Product:
Bioskin Gladiator Knee Brace - Front Closure for post ACL surgery or for patients with knee instability.
M-Brace Vega Aligner Knee Stabilizer #43
Best Feature:
- Can be set to control amount of flexion or extension available at the knee
Benefits of Product:
- Comfortable to wear
- Has inner locking straps for patella support
- This knee brace fits right or left leg
- Washable
- Comes from x-small to xxx-large
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with knee instability
- Patients suffering from knee pain
Alternative Product:
Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace - though it is bulkier it can also control amount of available flexion and extension in an injured knee.
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Bioskin Gladiator Sport Knee Brace
Best Feature:
- Includes a gel ring around the patella to control swelling and pain in the joint.
Benefits of Product:
- Easy to pull on and wear
- Brace can be set to limit flexion and extension and specific points
- 100% neoprene and latex free
- Can be worn during activity
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with knee ligament injuries
- Patients with torn ACL
-
Knee brace for acl injury
Alternative Product:
ThermoActive Hot & Cold Knee Support which includes heat or cold to help reduce swelling and pain. The ThermoActive is also more cost effective.
MedSpec Gripper 12” Hinged Knee Brace
Best Feature:
- This knee brace provides stabilization to the middle and sides of knee
Benefits of Product:
- Durable straps
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Available in size sizes
- Money back guarantee
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with LCL or MCL sprains
- Patients with torn acl
Alternative Product:
M-Brace Vega Aligner Knee Stabilizer #43 helps to align the knee in proper anatomical position.
Bioskin Gladiator Knee Brace - Front Closure
Best Feature:
- Hinge can be set to control range of motion in the knee by limiting flexion and extension
Benefits of Product:
- Easily adjustable knee brace
- 100% neoprene and latex free
- Includes gel ring around patella to reduce swelling and control pain in the knee
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients will knee instability
- Patients with ACL pain
- Knee brace for torn acl
Alternative Product:
Bioskin Gladiator Sport Knee Brace is a similar product but provides slightly more stability.
Donjoy Drytex Economy Hinged Knee Brace
Best Feature:
- Provides compression and support to ease knee pain while wearing the brace
Benefits of Product:
- This Donjoy ACL knee brace is easy to wear
- Cut out at the back of the knee for comfort
- Fits right or left leg
- Available in seven sizes
- 100% neoprene free
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with an ACL injury
- Patients with torn acl
Alternative Product:
BioSkin Gladiator Knee Brace -Front Closure makes a good alternative because it controls the amount of available flexion and extension of injured knee.
Best Feature:
- Designed for a precise fit after knee surgery
Benefits of Product:
- Hinges allow for protection and controlled range of motion
- Strap placement away from surgical site
- Easy to wear
- This Donjoy ACL knee brace is one size fits all
- Swivel action buckles that quick clip for a contoured fit
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients post knee surgery
- Patients with torn ACL
Alternative Product:
The Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace provides similar support with less bulk.
DonJoy Playmaker II FourcePoint
Best Feature:
- This Donjoy ACL knee brace with high tenacity nylon offers great fit
Benefits of Product:
- Molded strap allows quick adjustments
- Increase flexion angles
- Increase flexion angles limits the time spent in at risk positions
- Comfortable, breathable, easy to fit
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients with knee instability
- Patients with acl injuries
- Patients with knee pain during activity
Alternative Product:
Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace offers slightly more support.
ThermoActive Hot & Cold Knee Support
Best Feature:
- Applies compression to all sides of knee at the same time
Benefits of Product:
- Includes polygel pack that can be easily removed to heat or cool knee
- Hand pump to adjust levels of compression
- Lightweight
- Washable
- This knee support can be worn on left or right knee
- Affordable price
Type of Patient the Product is Suited to:
- Patients post operation
- Patients with ligament injuries
- Patients with torn acl
Alternative Product:
BioSkin Gladiator Sport Knee Brace doesn’t offer cold therapy, but offers compression around joint.
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