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
I'm no expert, but do a search for knee braces on eBay USA site. They are very common and a fraction of the Australian price. I see stacks of second hand ones for sale in the US. Although not sure whether what your after is a custom mold. Also.... Was given a new wetsuit to try once and the neoprene was too flexible for the knee pad and stitching. Hence the knee pad just came apart so I ripped then off. Found it was way better for winter kiting than a suit with a knee guard. The neoprene 'sucks' to your whole knee joint as a support way better. 
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.
As a sports physio who works with adventure sport athletes, and a keen kiter myself.. I would definitely recommend one. The donjoy CTi or armor are good. The bledsoe braces are also great. Local reps will often come and fit one for you (they do for my clients in Brisbane), let you try it. It should improve an objective measure such as hop distance, dynamic balance (worth seeing if it does). For return to sport readiness at elite level, I use the Melbourne Return to Sport Score.. info at www.swollenknee.me Your physio could do these tests with you to help determine your readiness. There is no minimum time really to wait, as long as you get appropriate strength and power back in the legs. Confidence is one of the major factors. Braces often help. A brace is a lot cheaper than another surgery.
Cheers
Kerry
I use Asterisks cell , they were within my budget .
The lace eyelets suffer some rust ,
There great but do your exercises !
Hey Jono,
Good comments from KezzaK
Some comments I had from a previous thread
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.
Select to expand quoteBart 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?
Cheers for all the advice guys I will definitely get one asap now as I dont have the patience for rehab and think its money well spent! Abd nick north come with knee pads not braces for their free rollerblade offer unfortunately.
also anyone thats had a recond how long did it take you until you were 100 percent (physically and mentally) before you rode hard again?
