The knee is a complex joint, uniquely designed to allow for a great range of movement; however, this remarkable design also makes it vulnerable to injury.
Pushing the limits in Action Sports (such as Motocross, Enduro riding or Alpine skiing), places the knee under increased loading and forces, and this serves only to heighten this risk!
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Pre-injury, you may not consider the importance of wearing knee protection, or the benefits that may be on offer by strapping on a pair of well-fitted knee braces.
Injuries to the knee not only impact your day-to-day life, limiting your ability to do the things you love, but can also affect your longevity in your chosen sport.
Braces such as the Custom CTi knee brace by Ossur or the POD K8 by PodActive, can help to stabilise the knee joint, providing extra assistance when the knee is stressed beyond normal conditions and range, and therefore reducing your risk of injury.
However - for these braces to work effectively, they need to be:
- Well-fitted
- Well-maintained
POD K8 Knee Brace
1) Fit and Comfort
The Fit of a knee brace goes well beyond just tensioning the supportive straps to hold it on to the knee.
Positioning, joint contact, padding, pressure, and loading can all make an enormous difference to how a set of braces feel on the knee; and therefore, your willingness to use them and ultimately the protection they can provide.
Custom CTi Knee Braces
After fitting a set of knee braces it is common to receive surprised feedback from clients at the level of adjustments required to ensure an intimate fit, or the time taken to confirm that brace position and loading forces are specifically tuned for their unique anatomy.
Tailored Fitting
Different knees require different support, and the opportunity to try on and compare highly regarded options (such as the CTI knee brace by Ossur and the PODActive range of Bracing) is important to provide not only an insight into the differences between brands, but also how these differences can influence the fit and function of the brace.
Custom CTi Knee Brace
Expertise in this area comes from years of experience and hundreds of fittings for knees of all shapes and sizes. For this reason consultants at Performance Bracing Australia and Gall Bros Medical highly encourage anyone considering using a knee brace, or currently using a brace, to organise an appointment for fitting or review to ensure the brace is optimised for them.
Knee Width
When fitting a knee brace one of the most important areas to focus on is contact at either side of the knee joint.
Too much room will lead to a bulky and loose feel, with decreased support due to sideways movement of the knee inside the brace frame.
Too little room, and you will be uncomfortable in the brace as the knee is squeezed, which can also lead to skin integrity loss from rubbing or pressure points over this sensitive area.
CTi3 Knee Brace with Condyle Pads
Most braces come with different thickness condyle pads (side pads) to accommodate this (such as the CTi3 Knee Brace pads above), and varying which of these is used can improve overall fit and comfort.
Knee Width Measurement is Key to a Perfect Fit
Setting this up correctly at an initial fitting will ensure that not only is the brace comfortable to use and providing the best support for your knee, but also that it is the correct brace for you and suitable for your specific needs.
Shin Loading
Another area of focus for fitting a knee brace is the contact area over the shin, and/or bony landmarks.
Tibial Crest (Shin) pressure can present with an anterior frame brace such as the CTi knee brace or POD K8, where the bottom section of the frame contacts the front of the leg. For those with a prominent shin bone, this may result in an area of discomfort, especially as the leg reaches an extended, or straight, position forcing the shin into the brace frame.
Custom CTi Knee Brace
This contact is actually by design, as it is important to protect the leg from over-straightening by loading at the front of the thigh and shin. However discomfort here is likely to lead to frustration and non-compliance using the brace, or a reluctance to tighten the brace as required, and therefore resulting in an ineffective support.
Modifying these contact areas to provide relief channels through specific areas of padding can ensure the brace still functions as required, whilst also being comfortable to wear. This can be achieved at an initial fitting, or on review after initial use of the brace.
Also - discussing the differences between frame shapes at an initial fiting, can ensure that the correct frame shape and size is provided, reducing the likelihood of fit issues down the track.
2) Well-Maintained
As a moving component being repeatedly stressed, your knee braces require constant maintenance to ensure they are providing the best support they can.
The PODActive range of knee bracing utilise patented ‘Human Motion’ technology in their hinges to provide progressive, multidirectional motion control at the knee joint. These Synthetic ligaments are 5x Stronger than steel, yet when put through constant cycling and stresses require regular replacement to maintain the strength and integrity of the brace.
POD Active "Human Motion" Hinge and Housing
Softgoods, liners, straps and Pads are all components of a knee brace that will also wear over time through constant use. An intimate fit, with specific loading and contact will gradually decline as the thickness and integrity of these accessories’ decreases.
Cleaning your braces regularly with freshwater and allowing them to air-dry will help maintain the condition of your softgoods. When they have reached the end of their life, replacement accessories can be purchased directly (CTi Accessories and POD Accessories), and the brace refurbished, to make it ‘as good as new’ giving you confidence to keep pushing the limits!
As a service to our clients, Performance Bracing Australia can also refurbish your POD or CTi knee braces either in the clinic or trackside at events!
Summary
Different knees require different support. The fit of a knee brace is integral to it's function, and one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a knee brace.
Taking the time during an initial fitting to get this right, as well as to understand what the brace is doing and how it is providing support for your knees, should be a priority when purchasing knee braces.
As a moving component that works alongside you, knee braces also require constant maintenance. Softgoods, straps and padding will perish over time, as will certain components that are put under constant cycling and pressure. Maintaining these parts with regular cleaning and refurbishment ensures you will get the most out of your knee brace investment.
Once a fitting is completed, Performance Bracing Australia and Gall Bros Medical offer ongoing follow up appointments and reviews (either in the clinic or trackside at events!) providing the best service available to ensure you are getting the most out of your investment when purchasing Knee Braces for Action Sports.
To Browse our range of Action sport braces - Click Here!
Or, for more information on our range of Action Sport Knee Braces or how we can assist you with the best possible fit, contact us directly here.
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