knee brace for knee injury prevention
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GMP
Active member
Inovation Sports (CTi) was originally not a motorcycle industry company, so therefore one can not expect such details in product focus. There are probably more CTis on bad knees in all sports than all others combined. All but our sport has no real use for a patella cup. The brace itself is top notch. Mine has been through hell on the bike and ski slope, all chipped up, but the hinges are still tight and nothing has fallen off.
Bikerdad450F
New member
my CTI experience
I did my research too, and it was going to be DonJoy, Asterix, or CTI/Ossur.
I never triied on the OTS (off the shelf) CTI though. My ins. plan covered 80 % of it so I got CTI custom, I think it was 1100 CDN each! They are a tad bulky compared to my old knee pads. but they have good extension stops. Most good quality pants will fit over CTI's I'm told, my FOX 360's fit fine.
Now, the reason for this post... I have a severed ACL, torn MCL,Torn Minicus and bone contusions and all I did was dab my foot down hard while the front wheel slid sideways. the knee failed me and the foot/lower leg turned out 45 degrees or so. It was loud and painful. so a warning to all, good braces limit injury, certain types, but some hits or movements can't be protected against. And thats why I'm waiting for surgery right now instead of racing my new EC300.
I did my research too, and it was going to be DonJoy, Asterix, or CTI/Ossur.
I never triied on the OTS (off the shelf) CTI though. My ins. plan covered 80 % of it so I got CTI custom, I think it was 1100 CDN each! They are a tad bulky compared to my old knee pads. but they have good extension stops. Most good quality pants will fit over CTI's I'm told, my FOX 360's fit fine.
Now, the reason for this post... I have a severed ACL, torn MCL,Torn Minicus and bone contusions and all I did was dab my foot down hard while the front wheel slid sideways. the knee failed me and the foot/lower leg turned out 45 degrees or so. It was loud and painful. so a warning to all, good braces limit injury, certain types, but some hits or movements can't be protected against. And thats why I'm waiting for surgery right now instead of racing my new EC300.
Food for thought!
Lets get started, I've had 4 surgeries on my right knee, 3 acl reconstructions and 1 cleanup. I wasn't wearing a knee brace on any of these accidents/injurys. After my 4th surgery I got some custom cti's. I thought they fit good and seemed sturdy. On Dec. 19, 2010 while riding some tight single track in South Carolina it happened again! I had a really bad get off where I planted my left foot this time and guess what happened? My knee exploded! I tore my acl, mcl,cartlidge, and had a condile bone fracture. This was the worst knee injury I have had yet to date. I was wearing custom cti braces too! Its been said already but let me tell you from exprience! Knee braces do give you a sense of safety and comfort. However they will NOT prevent an injury! They may help in very small incidents, but don't get a false sense of security, you can still injure your knee badly!
Lets get started, I've had 4 surgeries on my right knee, 3 acl reconstructions and 1 cleanup. I wasn't wearing a knee brace on any of these accidents/injurys. After my 4th surgery I got some custom cti's. I thought they fit good and seemed sturdy. On Dec. 19, 2010 while riding some tight single track in South Carolina it happened again! I had a really bad get off where I planted my left foot this time and guess what happened? My knee exploded! I tore my acl, mcl,cartlidge, and had a condile bone fracture. This was the worst knee injury I have had yet to date. I was wearing custom cti braces too! Its been said already but let me tell you from exprience! Knee braces do give you a sense of safety and comfort. However they will NOT prevent an injury! They may help in very small incidents, but don't get a false sense of security, you can still injure your knee badly!
GMP
Active member
Very true, but if you have an old sloppy knee like me thats prone to popping they help quite a bit. My original injuries are from the '70s and pre-date modern arthroscopic and ACL reconstruction surgeries. I have felt the knee try to pop at times in minor situations like snagging my foot in a rut, as well as some bad skiing crashes, but was captured by the brace. I especially will not ski without it.
that is exactly what i did too, waiting for surgery now with my new 09 sitting in the shed, waiting, did it on the first ride.......takin it easy and all.
GET BRACES!!!!!!!!
nambo-trev
New member
i just got fitted for a pair of custom CTI's as i had a close call about 3 weeks ago that scared the crap out of me. my right acl is still extremely sore. i listen to stories of guys like all of you with severe knee injuries and think money cant buy me a new knee but it can protect the ones i have. by getting a high grade set of braces i feel at the least like im minimizing the potential to end up in the same boat as some of you guys, so THANK YOU for the push guys.
Bikerdad450F
New member
wrecked it again !
I just went out for a cautious ride and jumped a ditch and missed, stopped dead on a rock, dabbed hard and twisted my foot out to the side. yelling in agony, laying across the exhaust too, melting into my a$$. re-injured before I was even healed. yes, I can say STUPID. The doc says I just went back about a month in my recovery, but likely no new ligament tears, just facia and muscle . I was wearing my CTI. incidently, CTI can provide a cable support system that they fit to the custom brace that helps with ACL weakness.
I just went out for a cautious ride and jumped a ditch and missed, stopped dead on a rock, dabbed hard and twisted my foot out to the side. yelling in agony, laying across the exhaust too, melting into my a$$. re-injured before I was even healed. yes, I can say STUPID. The doc says I just went back about a month in my recovery, but likely no new ligament tears, just facia and muscle . I was wearing my CTI. incidently, CTI can provide a cable support system that they fit to the custom brace that helps with ACL weakness.
I'm really sorry to hear that. I know how hard it is to have to heal completely before riding. I'm riding on a very bad ankle injury. It's good to know about the cable attachment. I think the Asterisk has a similar strap which attaches to your boot, helping to prevent the knee from twisting. I hope the knee heals quickly for U.
I have a severed torn ACL,Torn Minicus and bone contusions in my left knee im waiting on surgery im going to try and get a set of good knee braces and was going to try and get a set of custom cti for me but if they dont come with a good knee cap cover or petalla cover which ever you call it would the pods be better the alpinestar one look like good knee guards but hell i dont know i hurt my knee at work been out of work since dec 1st 2011 and i sure dont want this to happen again and i hope none of you all have to deal with workmans comp they suck it took then 29 days to even get me a mri done now my knee doc has been on vac for 2 weeks and my next appt aint till jan 19th then i guess they will decide how to fix my jacked up knee
wrench
Gold Level Site Supporter
I messed mine up 9/18/11, had my surgery on 12/16/11.
First thing that I can tell you is that you need to (per my surgeon) strengthen the leg above and below the knee. Look up ACL pre op rehab on line. You will see what to do. You should already be in a temporary brace until surgery, 4/6 weeks of pre op rehab is normal.
Secondly, the knee brace comes down to what the DR prescribes and what the insurance will cove , dollar wise. My doc wants me to go with the Breg model, they do not have a knee cup. I have asterisk braces and were wearing them when I suffered the injury. You will be looking at 8/9 months of recovery time, Atleast 6, before you are riding again. You will be walking after a week or so on crutches, with a post op brace until the swelling goes down and they can get a true measurement for a brace.
Don't let the WC insurance push you around. You have to be firm with your demands and also ask for a 2nd opinion from a dr of your choice, on their dime. They are trained to deny your requests 3/4 times, because statistically that is what it takes for most to give up.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
First thing that I can tell you is that you need to (per my surgeon) strengthen the leg above and below the knee. Look up ACL pre op rehab on line. You will see what to do. You should already be in a temporary brace until surgery, 4/6 weeks of pre op rehab is normal.
Secondly, the knee brace comes down to what the DR prescribes and what the insurance will cove , dollar wise. My doc wants me to go with the Breg model, they do not have a knee cup. I have asterisk braces and were wearing them when I suffered the injury. You will be looking at 8/9 months of recovery time, Atleast 6, before you are riding again. You will be walking after a week or so on crutches, with a post op brace until the swelling goes down and they can get a true measurement for a brace.
Don't let the WC insurance push you around. You have to be firm with your demands and also ask for a 2nd opinion from a dr of your choice, on their dime. They are trained to deny your requests 3/4 times, because statistically that is what it takes for most to give up.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
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wrench
Gold Level Site Supporter
100%? Not yet.
My surgery was 6 weeks ago, my Dr & therapist say that I am about 4-6wks ahead of where expected. They do not expect to clear me to ride a road bicycle for another month or so, and maybe back on my gasser by end of June. I am currently at the 3mi/10min (stationary bike) mark with minimal swelling. I walk everywhere without issue (w/post op brace), I can tell a difference when I go up and down the stairs in my house without the brace and the back of the knee swells a bit. Icing down is the key, along with PT within a few days to a week out of surgery.
I should have my custom brace from Ossur/CTi by next week. The Dr says that I will have to wear the brace everyday for 8/9 months, no matter how good the knee feels. He expects full recovery, as do I.
I am probably 60% with the brace on(40/50% without) right now. It is a long road, but worth it in the end.
Send me a PM if you would like my CTi reps contact info, he is willing to talk with anyone and put you in touch with your local rep if necessary. They may be able to help with the WC insurance situation.
My surgery was 6 weeks ago, my Dr & therapist say that I am about 4-6wks ahead of where expected. They do not expect to clear me to ride a road bicycle for another month or so, and maybe back on my gasser by end of June. I am currently at the 3mi/10min (stationary bike) mark with minimal swelling. I walk everywhere without issue (w/post op brace), I can tell a difference when I go up and down the stairs in my house without the brace and the back of the knee swells a bit. Icing down is the key, along with PT within a few days to a week out of surgery.
I should have my custom brace from Ossur/CTi by next week. The Dr says that I will have to wear the brace everyday for 8/9 months, no matter how good the knee feels. He expects full recovery, as do I.
I am probably 60% with the brace on(40/50% without) right now. It is a long road, but worth it in the end.
Send me a PM if you would like my CTi reps contact info, he is willing to talk with anyone and put you in touch with your local rep if necessary. They may be able to help with the WC insurance situation.
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hi folks, going through similar stuff atm. wondering what sort of grafts folks have had done.
i had a LARS on my right knee acl. everything was going fine 5 months on..
then all of a sudden my graft let go, presumably the lars has slipped one thread on the bolts used to hold it in place, awaiting a mri to see if i need a "revision"...
im probably going to try for another lars as im worried about comprimising my hamstring, as im very active and do lots of physical stuff. Dont wanna blow a ACL and a hamstring..
looks like i'll be out most of this race season as well as last season... not happy.
i had a LARS on my right knee acl. everything was going fine 5 months on..
then all of a sudden my graft let go, presumably the lars has slipped one thread on the bolts used to hold it in place, awaiting a mri to see if i need a "revision"...
im probably going to try for another lars as im worried about comprimising my hamstring, as im very active and do lots of physical stuff. Dont wanna blow a ACL and a hamstring..
looks like i'll be out most of this race season as well as last season... not happy.
cascade_crawler
New member
I have the hamstring graft, I got 90% ROM, but not limited on anything except for extreme bending, but thats getting better. Its been close to 7 months. Didnt ride for 5.5 and did aggressive PT. I'm also 22 
I was wearing asterisks when I hurt myself, no brace can totally prevent that type of injury. The best thing you can do are agility exercises to strengthen the stabilizing muscles in your leg.
I was wearing asterisks when I hurt myself, no brace can totally prevent that type of injury. The best thing you can do are agility exercises to strengthen the stabilizing muscles in your leg.
I have the hamstring graft, I got 90% ROM, but not limited on anything except for extreme bending, but thats getting better. Its been close to 7 months. Didnt ride for 5.5 and did aggressive PT. I'm also 22
I was wearing asterisks when I hurt myself, no brace can totally prevent that type of injury. The best thing you can do are agility exercises to strengthen the stabilizing muscles in your leg.
I think thats part of my trouble, i keep thinking im 22...... but that was a long time ago......
Had my acl reconstructed and meniscus repaied on Jan 31 all went well so far its been 3 weeks and 3 days im doin really well in therapy at 2 weeks i could ride a stationary bike for 30 mins which added up to 4.7 miles im not on my crutches anymore either woohoo man i really want to ride very badly but they say i got to wait atleast 6 more months i think that riding the stationary bike everyday has helped the most i can already bend my knee back to 130 degrees got 15 more degrees to go
