ACL Brace Recommendations

My buddy tore his ACL in 2001 and this is what he wrote about his brace:

"I only wore a CUSTOM SKI BRACE for skiing!
My ski brace cost about $1500 and was custom fit to my knee by a specialist.

The other brace was just a Don-Joy immobilizer for post operation that they gave me at the hospital."

My wife also tore her ACL 2 weeks ago. Appreciate all the shared stories from fellow TAYers with the same injury.

I have torn and surgically repaired my ACL's...four times since 1988. Once on the right(first time) and 3x on the left.

The brace worked very well at stabilizing my knee and allowing me to continue skiing without an intact ACL to close to 90% of my ability. I had a "custom fit" CTI2 brace, where they measure your leg and fit you to a particular model, ~$1000 covered on my insurance at the time. A true custom brace they measure and make the brace to your specs, these usually run a bit more in the $1500-2000 range.

In order for it to work properly, you want it TIGHT. Like almost unconfortable tight and leave marks on the thigh tight. I also highly recommend getting a fabric sleeve to put on under it so there is something between the brace and the skin. This helped it from slipping around if my leg got sweaty and made it much more comfortable without the velco digging into my skin.

These braces are great at stabilizing the knee joint and displacing some of the stress off the knee, as well as protecting against lateral impacts and possible hyperextension. Since I was wearing this great brace 8 months post op when I re-tore the left ACL again and finally damaged my meniscus, I can say they do not prevent ACL injuries or against twisting injuries. It's been 3 seasons since my last injury and I rarely wear anything more than a neoprene sleeve now just to keep the knee a little warmer.

I know a girl in her sixties who knocked out both her ACLs skiing in 1970s. She has probably skied 40-50 days a year since. Four years ago she was still pulling tabogans on ski patrol. Notably, she has quads and hamstrings a linebacker would be proud of.

ACL repairs were still primative in the 70s and 80s, she did not want to risk it. By the 90s, she was doing fine and did not need the repair.

Jill: get yourself a good physical therapist and start training, I will you get in touch with my friend...

I have torn and surgically repaired my ACL's...four times since 1988. Once on the right(first time) and 3x on the left.

What are you? A javelin thrower? 3x on the left!!!!!

What are you?  A javelin thrower? 3x on the left!!!!!

All of them while skiing-R-1988, L- 1995, 2007, 2008. Collectively 100 days skiing without an ACL in 2007 and 2008 as these complete tears happened late Dec/early Jan and I delayed repair until May. The braces are pretty uncomfortable for skinning in, but not so bad for skiing down.

The key is to start spinning low resistance on an exercise bike asap, work up to 30-60 min/day. (yes very boring, but the stronger your legs are the better whether you elect for surgical repair or not).

Heh, I am also delaying till summer in order to avoid losing snow time

One potentially sacrilegious suggestion: snowboarding is much easier than skiing with a torn ACL, I don't even need a brace unless I plan to hit something bigger.

Yes: skinning with a brace sucks big time, while going down it doesn't seem to be an issue. Full side zips on your pants are your friend - you can adjust brace easier while skinning. Otherwise you have to drop your pants

Cheers
Ivo