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Anyone ski with knee brace after ACL surgery..?

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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
i Just had knee surgery in november been rehabing ever since. Wanna get back into skiing hard next season. Anyone know anything about the knee braces, like if the effect how you ride.
Jan 6 2010 7:31PM
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ninjax6792
Posts: 510 - Karma: 12
They definatly will take a little getting used too, Im currently in the process of getting one as iv hurt my knee twice and like to prevent a major tear, I would suggest only wearing it on the hill tho, consisten wear actually weakens your knee muscles as your body will start to rely on it. But definatly a good idea for skiing, Ahmet wears one I know for a fact, as do 85% of big mountain riders.
Jan 6 2010 7:33PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ thanks man, I was really only planning on using it on the mountain.
Jan 6 2010 7:36PM
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fatbastard
Posts: 337 - Karma: 586
I got a CTI brace for my first blown ACL and used it for two years.  It tore apart the tongue of the liner of my boot a bit, but other than that it didn't bother me.  It would slip slightly, but I'd just reposition it and maybe tighten it down once in a while.  It didn't affect how I skied at all.

In my third season when I finally consciously went out on a powder day for the first time without it, knowing I was going to be hucking cliffs, on my fourth run I destroyed my other knee.  Now I'm back with another CTI on that one, and it feels good.  I know some people don't dig it, but for me it's really a non-issue.  Your knee just gets a little warmer with the thin neoprene that goes underneath to prevent slippage.
Jan 6 2010 7:36PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ For sure I'm getting fitted for that brace. Doc told me i would ski with it for a couple of years..
Jan 6 2010 7:39PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
my friend has been riding with one he got made and so far he hasn't been having any trouble with it. he said it takes a little getting used to but other than that it isn't too bad. just make sure to not rush tricks, don't wanna injure your knee again
Jan 6 2010 7:41PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
yeah i know I figured starting off with rails and boxes next season would be a good way to get my knee used to skiing.. now hitting kickers and shit ah dont wanna rush into that.
Jan 6 2010 7:44PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
my dad skis with a brace
Jan 6 2010 8:03PM
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ninjax6792
Posts: 510 - Karma: 12
great thread, I caught an edge riding out a flat down rail last monday and I bent my knee sideways (super sprain) so im getting a CTI to prevent tearing my knee.
Jan 6 2010 8:07PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
For sure man I'm almost positive thats the brace that i'm getting.  Thanks to everyone that posted on this tread. really helps me for the future seasons
Jan 6 2010 8:10PM
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CHARLES.BRONSON
Posts: 3123 - Karma: 229
Are you guys talkign about the CTI pro sport off the shelf brace? or the cti2 custom one?

I'm saving up for a cti pro sport, seems like the most solid off the shelf out there, anyone have experience with these?
Jan 6 2010 9:20PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
I have a DonJoy brace, and honestly, I don't notice it at all. It doesn't affect the way I ski. I think that it's worthwhile, especially since I don't have full range of motion back at this point.
Jan 6 2010 9:29PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ Thanks for the info on a different brace helps me out had a lot of people P'm me with Info. LOTS of help thanks Ns'ers
Jan 6 2010 9:48PM
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LoLo913
Posts: 600 - Karma: 29
I have a brace similar to the donjoy. it's super light and gives me that little bit of extra support. after 8 months of rehab I don't want to tear anything again. it doesn't bother me when i'm skiing. the only annoying thing is it slips a bit. but other than that I would recommend it.
Jan 6 2010 9:55PM
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B-Har406
Posts: 2484 - Karma: 6
Love my donjoy! So light, yet so strong. Super legit, wearing mine for another year or two for sure. Especially in the park.
Jan 6 2010 10:44PM
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Keyjibbs
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 96
I ride with one even though I've never actually torn anything in my knee. I've twisted it multiple times which made me pretty scared. I got a neoprene one with supports on the sides and under the knee cap from my doctor and I barely notice it at all when riding. It does occasionally slip and I have to readjust it but other than that its all good.
Jan 6 2010 10:50PM
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fatbastard
Posts: 337 - Karma: 586
^^^ I know Bushfield used to ski with two braces to prevent knee injuries, but then I was with him when he first dislocated his kneecap and it was hard to find hidden under the side of the brace.  Obviously, a good knee brace won't guarantee anything--it'll just greatly reduce the possibility of reinjuring the joint.
Jan 7 2010 12:40AM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
I had a custom DonJoy fitted after my second knee surgery last season. For skiing I don't really notice it at all, just make sure the straps are all snug so it won't slip around and you're good to go. The only time it really bothers me is downhill biking, because it sticks out from the side of my knee and hits the frame. It's a little annoying and has worn off the paint on one spot, but it's not a huge deal.
Jan 7 2010 12:48AM
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KNUCKifyouBUCK
Posts: 1330 - Karma: 9
I tore my ACL/MCL/Meniscuc and I ride with a Breg knee brace, which I plan on using for the rest of my ski career. Really doesn't bother me at all.
Jan 7 2010 12:58AM
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bob_dole
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 1,580
i just recently fucked my shit up for the 4th time while wearing a brace...that stuff doesnt make you superman.
Jan 7 2010 1:04AM
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.catierob
Posts: 670 - Karma: 15

WEAR ONE ESPECIALLY AFTER REHAB and shit

i have torn both my acls but never took rehad/braces seriously

i took it for granted both times i completly blew mine and i REALLY regret it. i can only ski powder for like four hours until the pain is unbearable. even doing othe sports it kills after a couple hours.

now i wear them. i look like a fuckin bionic person though. didnt even blow them skiing. fuck soccer and horses

be alot smarter than me

Jan 7 2010 3:06AM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ i blew mine in Football playoffs, never got to ski this season. Can't wait to either ski this summer or next season
Jan 7 2010 8:49AM
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bdubs
Posts: 117 - Karma: 28
I had a pretty serious brace for a couple years after surgery. It was probably one of the bulkier and more uncomfortable braces out there, but I didn't really notice it nor did it hold me back getting in 100+ days the season after my injury.

I've since retired that brace and now use a cheap futuro sport brace that works wonders. You can get them at CVS for $35.

I had a discussion the other day about whether by wearing a brace all the time if you're actually doing yourself a disservice in terms of allowing your knee to fully recover strength, agility and mobility.

Sure, this is what you're doing in rehab, but if you're on the mountain and ripping hard, but your knee is constantly protected, is there a risk in restricting muscle activity and not gaining the benefits of skiing without a brace?

Please ask your doc when your next in rehab...

The reason this debate came up was because I had forgot my brace that day and felt like I was ripping harder then usual despite the fact that when wearing a brace I tend to feel more confident.
Jan 7 2010 9:32AM
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Flien
Posts: 139 - Karma: 10
I don't know how it works in the US with insurances and stuff, but try to get a custom-made brace!
I have blown both of my knees and at first I had just those standard braces, but lately I have my braces custom-made, and that's way better. I just use them when I ski/sport, but they are supportive but yet allow every normal movement.
My insurence pays them for me, partly because I need them for my job as ski-instuctor. So ask your insurence about it I would say, cause they are deff expensive otherwise.

Hope you understand my story, talking about medical things in english is quit hard =P
Jan 7 2010 10:20AM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ for sure man thanks.
Jan 7 2010 10:22AM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
You can get insurance to help with them if you have a legitimate medical reason, but it also depends on the doctor and insurance company too. I can't walk more than about half a mile without a brace anymore, but my insurance still denied me when I wanted coverage for the brace. However, I ended up still getting it for around $800 by paying cash and bypassing all the insurance crap instead of doing the full $1,500 price tag.

Definitely get a custom one if you need it, though. I'm not sure how every injury is accommodated with each brace, but I know with mine it bends my knee a couple degrees to the side to unweight where I don't have meniscus or cartilage anymore--an over the counter brace would do absolutely nothing to help in my case.
Jan 7 2010 12:19PM
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
I got a Don Joy brace after my surgery.  It did feel a bit funny, but did not affect how I ski.  I still wear it now, several years later.  I don't need it, but it might help in a bad crash, so I figure I might as well wear it. 

If the brace is made properly you will get used to it quickly.  It should not affect how you ski.
Jan 7 2010 12:30PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ thanks man. and thanks to others with the help.
Jan 7 2010 12:37PM
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kris.....
Posts: 759 - Karma: 43

i have a cti knee brace too i ware it every day i go skiing been 2 years since my surge

Jan 7 2010 3:39PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ yeah man for sure, thanks.
Jan 7 2010 6:02PM
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Ryno
Posts: 31125 - Karma: 336
I had ACL reconstruction surgery and I never opted to go for the brace. Work on making your muscles in your legs strong instead and you'll likely be better off in the long run.

If you have had multiple injuries in the same knee though, then a brace might be something you need.
Jan 7 2010 6:36PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ yeah man I had the patella tendon surgery done and my physical therapist told me that if i build it good enough i won't im just thinking about how hard im going to ski on my knee.
Jan 7 2010 7:49PM
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David.
Posts: 33 - Karma: 51
i tore my right acl 2 seasons ago and just tor my left acl 2 weeks ago not stoked.  But using a brace has been a really good experience for me.  I had got a custom brace from Don Joy called the defiance 2 or something its really low profile and personally I think it has saved my knee on a few occasions especially earlier on.  even with PT ur knee will still feel weak even at like six months.  Idk for me i definantly feel more confident with it and continue to use it.  Best of luck to you man def would recommend a brace tho. 

Does anyone know how the CTI braces are?  I gotta get a second brace but due to insurance crap I cant get a Don Joy again.
Jan 9 2010 2:01AM
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Boggs
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 208
I have a custom made one I dont use because it pinches my skin in between it and the boot and it HURTS when you land. Like more than when I tore the damn ACL.
Jan 9 2010 2:36AM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ damn man that sucks. i would say get another brace or something..
Jan 9 2010 10:01AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
from what I have been told, as long as your brace isn't providing any elastic support to your movements, it's not going to be effecting your muscles. Some people will whole-heartedly disagree, But I don't feel like my brace is in any way making up for muscle movements.
Jan 9 2010 10:16AM
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bethyb
Posts: 248 - Karma: 10
a study done by the steadman hawkins research foundation quite awhile ago (1991 - 1997) showed that skiers who had ACL reconstruction and used a brace had a much lower incidence of reinjury than skiers with ACL reconstruction who did not use a brace.

link to abstract: http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/34/10/1581.abstract

i tore my ACL 3 years ago in may. i didn't use a brace at first and had 2 more minor injuries (not requiring surgery, but enough to set me back) to the same knee. i got a CTI custom brace after i hurt it the 2nd time after surgery and have been using it all season. i thought it would bother me but i don't really notice it. i am pleased with it so far.
Jan 9 2010 1:31PM
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The.Ginger
Posts: 978 - Karma: 13
i shattered my kneecap and got surgery 2 days ago and when i get back into skiing should i wear a brace or do they just help people with acl tears?
Jan 9 2010 1:51PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
i dont think it would hurt if you wear a brace.
Jan 9 2010 2:10PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
my dad skis with a gun










Jan 9 2010 2:20PM
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NickyBPorters
Posts: 114 - Karma: 50
Yeah Man I had knee surgery 2 years ago and now I use these braces called Asterisk's. I love them I feel like a robo version of my normal self. Honestly I forget that I am even wearing them sometimes, now it is just another piece of equipment I put on before I go ski.
       They were pretty expensive even on pro-form I paid 400 bucks for a pair. They only come in pairs I think and honestly there is no point in wearing one and blowing out my other knee. Even though they were sort of expensive its way cheaper then knee surgery. This is not a ticket to never hurting your knees but it does help me with the mental factor.

http://www.asterisk.com/
Jan 9 2010 3:27PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
Yeah i dont care what anyone says Knee injury's suck more then anything.... 
Jan 9 2010 9:34PM
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The.Ginger
Posts: 978 - Karma: 13
definitely
Jan 10 2010 2:42PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ knee surgery Ends seasons and leads to a bunch of rehab..definitely not fun.
Jan 10 2010 4:30PM
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ninjax6792
Posts: 510 - Karma: 12
^^In addition to subluxted shoulders, having your shoulders slip out at totaly random, makeing arm flailing or long extension (especialy while rotating) certain doom.
Jan 10 2010 4:41PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ for sure man My surgeon told me the only surgery worse then Acl surgery is Shoulder surgery. ++ vibes to anyone out there with an injury holdin them back from skiing.
Jan 10 2010 4:50PM
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gingersteeze270
Posts: 358 - Karma: 784
no doubt get the brace bro. i have no acl right now but wanted to ride this season and to be honest im scared to ride without it. after sergury deffinitly use it bro. cause ur knee will still be weak and one hyper extension will fuck up all ur hard work. get the brace its golden ha
Jan 10 2010 8:21PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
Yeah man. I was planning on skiing with a brace untill i fell good enough to not ski with one. But thanks for your thought on it. and ++vibes when you get back out there.
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Jan 10 2010 9:05PM
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fratskier69
Posts: 1868 - Karma: 1,272
charles gagnier!
Jan 10 2010 9:06PM
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BC.
Posts: 1551 - Karma: 86
plenty of great skiers use them, park and big mountain alike. I recommend CTI or DonJoy.
Jan 10 2010 9:11PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
^ my physical therapist said the same thing the donjoy brace is just lighter then the cti. I get fitted for mine in 2 weeks.
Jan 10 2010 9:50PM
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