Knee brace Vs. no knee brace

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

Im almost two weeks past a lame acl surgery on my right knee, and i was wondering what are some of your opinions on knee braces, my doctor said hed give me a prescription for one, but said he wasnt really so sure it would make a difference...im hopin to recovery within 5 months and be back to wakeboarding by the end of july...what you guys think about the brace?

trammill · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 389 City: Georgetown

Had ACL surgury last October and I ware mine everytime I ride. Definately get fitted and take the perscription for the brace. And use Ductape around where the velcro is so that it will hold in the water. If nothing else, it definately helps your confidence. Good luck on your recovery and DEFINATELY get the brace! Wink

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

I had acl surgery in november and I am still going to rehab for my and I do other exercises on my knee. I also work out 4 times a week. With that said, I went snow skiing and boarding a week and a half ago on a hill. It was across the river in Iowa so it wasn't anything that would come close to a challenge. 300 ft of vertical drop over about 2000 ft. I took it very easy and my knee still swelled up big time afterward.

After spring break, I'm getting fitted for a custom brace. I know that the way I like to ride will require one. I will still take it easy for awhile but one will no doubt be necessary. If nothing else for peace of mind.

Also, you don't need a script to get insurance to cover most if not all of it.

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

im pretttty sure my insurance requires a script for them to cover some of it...if you dont mind kswiss, whose your insurance company?

gmarkham1 · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 505 City: janesville

trammil...
How are you duct taping your straps.... it sucks to never know when the velcro is going to give!

I had my acl replaced and meniscus repaired last march 31, I was riding with a brace in the beginning of july. Took it easy for a little whild but by mid august was riding pretty hard... the cool thing was while taking it easy I learned some new surface tricks including an ollie blind 180!

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

gmarkham1, that makes me feel real good, gives me hope of getting out there quicker...i just got back from the physical therapist, she said i have the most motion shes ever seen for only 2 weeks in, so that was pretty assuring...also does anyone know how long i have to wait until i can get my brace molded?? is it pretty much just when i can bend my knee and the swelling is down?

gmarkham1 · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 505 City: janesville

You want to wait at least two months, ideally you want your muscles to be fully recouped, otherwise you will need to get it adjusted, I was fit for mine mid to late june, took a week or two to get it...

Just remember to take baby steps, do a little at a time and dont try to go balls to the walls, and at least get some kind of advice from your doctor, he wont tell you can do it, but he wont tell you you cant do it either...I hope that makes since, basically a liability thing, if my doc I had it his way in a perfect world I wouldnt have done anything that physical for at least a year and half, basically his way of protecting himself!!!

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

gmarkham1, i understand...he did that with me with driving...said "technically" i shouldnt drive for 6 weeks, but im hoping to be driving by next week, its hard gettin around, how long did it take until you were driving again?

gmarkham1 · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 505 City: janesville

I think two or three weeks(right knee) I know how you feel. I am pretty independent and between the doc and my wife the wanted me doing nothing for myself.... I finally snapped on my wife and made her cry, I felt horrible but sometimes you just need to wipe your own butt!

Also remember just because somebody started in riding in 'x' amount time doesnt mean that is the right recovery time for you, it is all about you and your knee. Ultimately you are risking reinjury!

Remember patience is a key... do you want to be wakeboarding this year or do you want to be wakeboarding for the next twenty?

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

yea i understand...my goal for recovery is 5 months, but right now im worried about driving, i feel like i can do it, im hoping to be back to driving next week...thanks for all your insight gmarkham1

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

tinymonkey, as long as you don't have a manual, you should be able to drive by now.

nah bro, I asked if I needed a script for it and they told me no. They just contacted my insurance and called me back and told me how much insurance would cover. Had I gotten my brace in '05, it would have been free due to how many surgeries and whatnot I had done.

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

well i do have a manual, im hopin by next week to be driving...now that ive started physical therapy my knee should be strong enough to drive very shortly i hope...i do have an automatic, but i dont think its worth the work to get running for a week...imma just stick it out until i can drive my car again

i go to the doctor 3 weeks from today, and thats when ill get my brace situation straigtened out, it sounds like it doesnt take long to get, so as long as i have it by june/july ill be fine

als132 · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 462 City: shoreline

dude get the brace

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

yea, it sounds pretty obvious that getting it is the right choice...thanks for all the input guys!