Page 16 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 40

16
Knee Braces: Generic vs Custom
Dr. Kylie Draper
BMSc, DipAc, DC
of Cornwall Spine Care Plus
eciding when a custom-
Dmade knee brace is needed
and when a generic off-the-
shelf brace will suffice is often
a decision made between you
and your health care provider.
Equipping yourself with some
basic background information
on the two types of braces can
definitely aid in the decision
process.
The 5 Types
of Knee Braces
Unloader Braces: these
braces offload stress or take
pressure off of certain areas of
the knee. Unloader braces are
usually prescribed for people
who have inner knee (medial
compartment) osteoarthritis.
These braces are custom-
designed and made of molded
plastic, steel, and foam to
encourage the knee to bend
away from the painful /arthritic
area. They can be helpful for
people who are waiting to have
knee replacement surgery.
Functional Braces: these braces Knee Sleeves:
If you saw an ad in Sports Energy, Please mention it to our advertiser.
are used after a knee injury and technically not a knee brace, a How are Custom Knee
provide support while the knee knee sleeve is the most common Braces Fitted?
injury is healing. They are type of knee support worn by the
At Cornwall Spine Care Plus
either custom made or generic average athlete and more casual
our custom fit braces are unique
depending on the type of injury exerciser, including tennis
to each patient. They are
you have. There are functional players, joggers, and walkers.
fitted based on a series of joint
knee braces to treat MCL, ACL, They provide compression
measurements, biomechanical
PCL, LCL, and combination of around the knee joint and some
and orthopedic assessment,
these ligamentous injuries. A knee stability. Knee sleeves are
and a thorough history of your
functional brace is designed to typically made of material such
injury and desired activity level.
redistribute forces and support as neoprene, drytex, or Polartec
At Cornwall Spine Care Plus we
the affected injured ligament. and are the least expensive type
do so much more than fit and
Rehabilitative Braces: these of knee support. Although you sell you a brace. Each person is
can buy knee sleeves off the
braces are designed to limit taken in as a patient and is given
shelf at your local pharmacy,
movement of the knee while advice on treatment and proper
it is healing after an injury you should still check with your
or surgery. They can protect doctor before using one. rehabilitation of their injured
joint to help enhance the effects
injured ligaments and control Who Can Benefit from
of the custom knee brace. We
knee movement during
a Custom Knee Brace? make it our goal to get you back
rehabilitation for an injured
Let’s keep it simple. The three to functioning at 100%.
ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, or
most common populations to be
meniscus. Rehabilitative The Steps Needed
fi tted for a custom knee brace
braces typically consist of foam to Obtain a Custom
are:
liners that surround the calf, Knee Brace
thigh, and knee, along with full- • Previously active people
length rigid bars on both sides with repetitive joint space • Call us at Cornwall Spine
with hinges at the knee that are injury or those with early Care Plus and book an
adjustable. These braces are onset degenerative change assessment with one of our
generic and usually do not need (arthritis) who would like skilled chiropractors.
to get back to doing more
to be custom made. • Bring any advanced imaging,
Prophylactic Braces: These activity and enhance their surgical reports or MD’s
braces are designed to protect quality of life. prescriptions
the knee from damage (or re- • Highly active younger • Wear active, loose clothing
injury) that can occur during individuals who partake in to allow for assessment and
contact sports such as football, high impact or high-risk fitting
sports / jobs that would like to
basketball, and hockey. These stabilize their joints beyond • Bring all health insurance
braces are typically made their current physiological information, if applicable
of constructed bars, hinges capability. At Cornwall Spine Care Plus
and adhesive tapes and are • Post-surgical patients who we are dedicated to helping you
either custom made or generic have repaired a torn tissue move and feel your best. Call us
depending on the type of injury
you have. in the knee and would like today to learn how we can help
to protect the knee and feel you improve your spine and
Although strong during their activity. joint health.