Responses: ACL Brace questions
Paul Rieth
Description
Collection
Title:
Responses: ACL Brace questions
Creator:
Paul Rieth
Date:
12/8/2008
Text:
List,
Thank you to all who responded. I received several excellent replies for recommendations. However, is there anyone out there that fabricates their own KO's? Besides myself, a few of the people who responded below were also interested in hearing about fabrication. I will post this as a separate question to the List in hopes of getting some input. --Paul Rieth CPO1465
INITIAL INQUIRY:
1. Looking for suggestions for a good, cost effective prefab ACL brace.
2. For those who fabricate their own custom KO's, any advice on materials (thermoplastics would be plus) and knee joint recommendations would be appreciated.
RESPONSES:
--I like Townsend's Rebel. You give them a few measurements (vs. one) and they provide you with the brace. Better fit than the one measurement ones. However, if you only needs a softsided brace, the playmaker by DJ Ortho might be a good alternative.
--Look at www.ongoingcare.com for OrthoPro P.O.P. Knee unloader w/ swing assist, ideal for this condition, and watch case studies. ( L1845 ) Call OCSI at 800-375-0207 OR John Kenney @ 949-702-2828 for their competitive prices. Athletes, patients, even Therapists are using this KO with positive outcomes ( before &/or after surgery ).
--townsend rebel. i can't stop repeating this. same goes for unloader KO.
--When you say Cost effective, I hope you mean value for money, and not economical. I think that Townsend do a good brace, affordable for its function and look. Bauerfiend, if i am not mistaken, also do a nice brace with lots of good features.
--From the early days of Lenox Hill to the present where there are so many choices (some good, some bad) the best luck I have had is the C180 from Innovation Sports, now unfortunately owned by OSSUR.
I have fit hundreds to include Professional and Collegiate athletes with little or no adverse situations. The cost is reasonable and there is little or no maintenance other than lubing the gliding knee joints with a graphite lubricant.
The frame is very light weight and made of a carbon material which can be heated for adjustability.
--I have heard excellent reports of the EBI Alliance off the shelf brace.
--I have used many different ones, but like Townsend the best and they have seem to be better than most with pricing for a product that is as good in quality as I have seen.
--I wear a Breg Fusion with good results. Hate the company's marketing to physicians, but like the price and fit. I had a Townsend Rebel that I could rotate in, it did not support as good as the Breg.
--Best long term OTS ACL brace is the new CTI OTS from Ossur/I Sports. Nice rigid frame but flexible thigh and calf components.
--The Townsend Rebel Pro can be customized by Townsend
with 3 measurements. I have used this option for about 5 years as an ACL
brace. Since beginning to use them with my patients I have used one for my
own ACL re-construction. I can personally vouch for durability and fit. I
have never had a patient with an average presenting lower leg that the
Townsend custom to measure did not fit well. They can turn it around and
have it to you in 48 hours from the time you call the measurements in. They
have a very low profile hinge that can be set with stops at different
degrees.
--Cascade has a brace that's called the plus point, I think. Also, medi usa has an ACL brace, as well as OA unloaders. I wouldn't use them for a football player, but they are fine for someone who is moderately active and the prices are right.
--In my mind, the best prefab ACL KO is the C180 by Innovation Sports, now Ossur. It is extremely light, low profile and inexpensive. In addition, it uses the same joint as their custom KO; easily best joint design on the market, in my humble opinion. BTW, it comes in a regular, womens, and pediatric configurations.
END RESPONSES
Thank you to all who responded. I received several excellent replies for recommendations. However, is there anyone out there that fabricates their own KO's? Besides myself, a few of the people who responded below were also interested in hearing about fabrication. I will post this as a separate question to the List in hopes of getting some input. --Paul Rieth CPO1465
INITIAL INQUIRY:
1. Looking for suggestions for a good, cost effective prefab ACL brace.
2. For those who fabricate their own custom KO's, any advice on materials (thermoplastics would be plus) and knee joint recommendations would be appreciated.
RESPONSES:
--I like Townsend's Rebel. You give them a few measurements (vs. one) and they provide you with the brace. Better fit than the one measurement ones. However, if you only needs a softsided brace, the playmaker by DJ Ortho might be a good alternative.
--Look at www.ongoingcare.com for OrthoPro P.O.P. Knee unloader w/ swing assist, ideal for this condition, and watch case studies. ( L1845 ) Call OCSI at 800-375-0207 OR John Kenney @ 949-702-2828 for their competitive prices. Athletes, patients, even Therapists are using this KO with positive outcomes ( before &/or after surgery ).
--townsend rebel. i can't stop repeating this. same goes for unloader KO.
--When you say Cost effective, I hope you mean value for money, and not economical. I think that Townsend do a good brace, affordable for its function and look. Bauerfiend, if i am not mistaken, also do a nice brace with lots of good features.
--From the early days of Lenox Hill to the present where there are so many choices (some good, some bad) the best luck I have had is the C180 from Innovation Sports, now unfortunately owned by OSSUR.
I have fit hundreds to include Professional and Collegiate athletes with little or no adverse situations. The cost is reasonable and there is little or no maintenance other than lubing the gliding knee joints with a graphite lubricant.
The frame is very light weight and made of a carbon material which can be heated for adjustability.
--I have heard excellent reports of the EBI Alliance off the shelf brace.
--I have used many different ones, but like Townsend the best and they have seem to be better than most with pricing for a product that is as good in quality as I have seen.
--I wear a Breg Fusion with good results. Hate the company's marketing to physicians, but like the price and fit. I had a Townsend Rebel that I could rotate in, it did not support as good as the Breg.
--Best long term OTS ACL brace is the new CTI OTS from Ossur/I Sports. Nice rigid frame but flexible thigh and calf components.
--The Townsend Rebel Pro can be customized by Townsend
with 3 measurements. I have used this option for about 5 years as an ACL
brace. Since beginning to use them with my patients I have used one for my
own ACL re-construction. I can personally vouch for durability and fit. I
have never had a patient with an average presenting lower leg that the
Townsend custom to measure did not fit well. They can turn it around and
have it to you in 48 hours from the time you call the measurements in. They
have a very low profile hinge that can be set with stops at different
degrees.
--Cascade has a brace that's called the plus point, I think. Also, medi usa has an ACL brace, as well as OA unloaders. I wouldn't use them for a football player, but they are fine for someone who is moderately active and the prices are right.
--In my mind, the best prefab ACL KO is the C180 by Innovation Sports, now Ossur. It is extremely light, low profile and inexpensive. In addition, it uses the same joint as their custom KO; easily best joint design on the market, in my humble opinion. BTW, it comes in a regular, womens, and pediatric configurations.
END RESPONSES
Citation
Paul Rieth, “Responses: ACL Brace questions,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/229913.
