ACL Brace Recommendations

I tore my ACL last December and continued snowboarding, though kept things very low key because of the slop in my knee. Had surgery in March and currently wear a Donjoy for basketball and snowboarding.

Thought I'd chime in here. I had a complete ACL tear over Thanksgiving of 2009. Had a hamstring graft reconstruction, along with the removal of 80% of medial and 20% of lateral meniscus, on Dec 31 2009.

I skied Adams on July 5th 2010, without a brace, and have never once felt a need for a brace. I do wear a velcro knee wrap, but solely to keep it warm.

I wore a brace for 2 days post-op, but never again. One of the keys to my recovery was to do many balancing exercises. Once I built up a base of leg strength through low resistance stationary bike work (about 4-6 weeks) I began to do exercises on a bosu ball. Standing, one legged stands, bends, crouching, toe touches- whatever. I would also do upper body work while standing on the ball.  I worked closely with Lea Stralke at Pro Sports club, who gave me exercises that were in line with standard protocol for acl rehab. ( I also benefited from a certain red headed wonder PT named Monika- yet another amazing talent of hers) I really feel that developing the stabilizer muscles around the knee are crucial for full recovery. If you do things right, you shouldn't need a brace. Just my opinion of course....

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a Ride!"
---- from a BMX rider who was reviewing ACL knee braces

Thankfully, I don't have any knee issues yet but a cautionary tale. Besides mountain play(skiing, hiking, climbing) during my slacking 20s, 30s and early 40s, I was a devoted basketball player. The local university has a lunchtime rec program, the so-called Wellness Hour, where one could exercise in various ways, including ball. Having skills and fitness(see skiing, hiking, climbing), I had a great time but gradually ruined one and now the other ankle. Quit cold turkey 11 years ago but am hobbled. Hiking down my totem, Mt Stuart, forgetaboutit. I can still ski and bike though, low impact.

You are issued one body at inception. If you're in for the long run, take of it. I hope to be skiing for the duration.
Sympathies and best to Jill. I hope any surgery works and you find a good brace and an excellent PT.

I thought I would chime in since I'm a rep for the Top Shelf brace your wife is wearing. The brace is meant to be used before and after surgery, not for skiing. I've read many of the posts recommending the Donjoy braces and yes they are good braces but there are others out there. I would recommend going to a Orthotist, someone that is trained to fit custom and OTS (off the shelf) braces with your specific needs in mind.