Hey guys, Im just about 7 months post op from hammy ACL reconstruction and have just started to kite again and so far so good (strapless and will not be on a twintip for the foreseeable future). I have been looking at CTI DONJOY knee braces all around 1000 bucks with no rebate from insurance companies (checked my cover). My physio believes I wont need one but I am kiting a little before his recommendations. I have researched this topic and some people swear by them (and some research suggest they help in not re injuring) and others believe there is no reliable research to suggest they have any benefit and simply mind over matter issue.

Anyways does anyone use a knee brace and are they worth the money?
Also is it worth paying even more for custom or just 'off the shelf' (OTS model) model which I maybe even be able to get at half the price second hand.

Cheers feelas

Aaron Hadlow wears a knee brace now after his acl recon, they must help.

Might be worth a Google to see which he uses as I'm pretty sure they will be good for kiting.

I use Asterisks cell , they were within my budget .
The lace eyelets suffer some rust ,
There great but do your exercises !

Slashrockson said..
Hey Jono,

Good comments from KezzaK

Some comments I had from a previous thread

GarryA said...

Slashrockson said... Probably nothing better than a properly fitted one by a professional but I have kited all summer using a Shock Doctor 'Ultra Knee Support with bilateral hinges' model no. 875. $100 from Rebel sport. Been awesome, without it I would have been off the water for sure with a partially damaged medial ligament. Great support, minimal movement restriction, don't notice it after first session and very durable with solid velcro straps. Kept me pain free and on the water. As above, start specific exercises and dump the brace when it feels strong enough.

Any chance of taking a pic and posting it.

Check it here www.shockdoctor.com/products/ultra-knee-support-with-bilateral-hinges I've got two, one I use with boardies and a larger one to wear over steamer. Can't rate it highly enough. Have tried others but this is the best I've tried for an off the shelf brace. Above site is US with long delivery. But Rebel should have them.

www.shockdoctor.com.au/

Bart said..
I use an off the shelf CTI brace and am very happy with it. I was lucky that the off the shelf was an excellent fit. They are expensive though. They allow basically no side to side movement and you can restrict your flexion and extension as needed. I've been using mine in salt water for several years now, just rinse it off with fresh and its still good.

I like the Donjoy armor, don't even need it any more but im just so used to wearing it. Had exactly the same OP and im pretty sure i would have injured the OP knee without it. Kite strappless surfboards but still reckon the brace is worth it

With Hallow now flying North will a knee brace be their next accessory they'll invent?