 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
Could anyone please offer some advise based on experience.
Back in Feb I had a fall on the slopes and like many have torn my ACL, pending an operation I’m still desperate to ski with my family in Feb. Despite the injury day to day life isn’t so bad however when I went to try it out at Milton Keynes it became apparent there was no chance of having any natural control over my left ski. I made it down the slope once and put the skis away.
I’ve been looking at braces and I’ve been informed that many people still ski with ACL injuries. I don’t mind within reason what the brace costs as long as it works. Does anyone have any experience with these braces? Could anyone recommend a brand and is there anywhere I can try one before I buy so not to waste the money if it’s unsuccessful.
Desperately trying to keep the family happy.
Many thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Lansdale1, i ruptured my ACL last December, and skied in Feb and April in a brace (surgery after it, in May).
BUT I also followed a rehab program from early Dec focused on getting my knee as strong as possible without surgery, and had to accept that my skiing was a lot more limited (skied 4 out of 6 days, and some of those were short, and taking it much easier than usual).
Everyone's experience is different - please find an experieced physio or rehab coach and work with them. I'm so glad I did - it also made a huge difference to life immediately after surgery, having strengthened and prepped muscles beforehand.
Brace - Donjoy Armor Fourcepoint has been great for me, and was recommended by a physio. The same physio also suggested if possible I try a few, as fit is very important re. effectiveness of the functionality. That one suits me. They can also be picked up second hand for reduced prices, if you're confident of the fit.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Lansdale1,
1. Wot @fixx said
2. My pre-op knee was totally stable. I could happily have skied on it.
Yours sounds wildly different and I’m unconvinced as a physicist not a doctor that a brace will help. I think you’ll just do (maybe a lot) more damage.
And I’m fairly sure you’ll set your op, recovery and outcome back.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@under a new name makes a very good point about your current stability.
I was still able to ski the day after rupturing mine, with a very lightweight brace. I thought I'd strained my LCL, not ruptured my ACL! It was more difficult to ski, but I still could and did for several days.
Please see a specialist for advice. There are plenty of people on the forum who have had knee injuries including ACL - someone will probably be able to recommend someone near you.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks for coming back, appreciate your time and advise.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Is your knee stable when not skiing on it?
Does it give way or buckle with daily life activities?
I have been fitting braces for 15+ years. An unstable knee will need as much support as a brace can give.
I’m would recommend a Donjoy armor or a CTI (Ossur)
Both braces cost approx £500.
I don’t think anything else would give sufficient support.
There are other brands but I only fit these two as my experience is that others are inferior
Both companies, if you contact them will direct you to a fitting centre - worth while to get a best fit. Hopefully they will allow you to ski with increased stability.
As others have mentioned well worth getting some good advice on rehab before you go to try and improve your knee stability/control
I often fit these post ACL reconstruction. You don’t want to tear again after 9-12 months of rehab.
Good luck
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| Lansdale1 wrote: |
Hi
Could anyone please offer some advise based on experience.
Back in Feb I had a fall on the slopes and like many have torn my ACL, pending an operation I’m still desperate to ski with my family in Feb. Despite the injury day to day life isn’t so bad however when I went to try it out at Milton Keynes it became apparent there was no chance of having any natural control over my left ski. I made it down the slope once and put the skis away.
I’ve been looking at braces and I’ve been informed that many people still ski with ACL injuries. I don’t mind within reason what the brace costs as long as it works. Does anyone have any experience with these braces? Could anyone recommend a brand and is there anywhere I can try one before I buy so not to waste the money if it’s unsuccessful.
Desperately trying to keep the family happy.
Many thanks |
Mrs B snapped her ACL in 2014 and has skied with a brace since then, after opting not to have surgery. She has an Ossur Cti brace (about £500) and it has served her well, with about 60 to 70 days each season skiing since then. Her knee is relatively stable in day to day life but has collapsed a few times - including once when getting out of a car and once when hill walking on non-level, rocky terrain. She couldn't ski without the brace, however, as her knee feels wobbly and unstable without it.
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Day to day it’s not to bad but I am very conscious how I move, I’m often up and down ladders but I’m mindful how I step on and off.
Thanks for your advise
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hi there, how are you? I just wanted to wish you well after your ACL injury – bummer just before skiing!! Many people also still ski and snowboard with ACL tears depending on the stability of the brace that they are using. You’ve got some good options out there! Some of the brands known by skiers are DonJoy and Breg; the DonJoy Armor is one of kind that is highly recommended.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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When my wife ruptured her Acl, we bought a donjoy armour (actually two, as the first one was too big - she was right between sizes), and an Ossur cti from https://www.healthandcare.co.uk/ - Returns with the company were completely straightforward, and pricing was very competitive.
For her, the donjoy was a better fit, and more comfortable, the strap buckles on the cti aren’t a great design, as there’s no protection against the skin. But both products seem very well regarded.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Pejoli, wearing an elastic bandage under the brace works if the size is right
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Also check out a Ski Mojo!
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You know it makes sense.
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Just seen this and will report my experience which I have done on previous posts.
I am now 75, almost 76, started tearing up my knee ligaments age 30 playing with small children. Have now had 9 injuries to L knee including complete ACL tear and reconstruction (age 55), tibial plateau fracture (which did not need surgery just wore the brace) and 2 mensicus tears surgically tidied up. R knee only 1 injury 2 seasons ago when some idiot skied into me so I have torn ACL and meniscus tears there too but asymptomatic due to doing rehab. I am well known at my local orthopaedic dept who keep me skiing! Have done every knee exercise known over the years and just get told to do the 'usual exercises' now when I have another injury.
I have used an Ossur CTi brace on my L knee for over 25 years when skiing or ceilidh dancing (I live in Scotland). Without it my knee would collapse when I do twisting movements. I just wear a lightweight elastic support for hillwalking but nothing needed for everyday walking. With the brace I can ski black mogul runs ( I was an international mogul judge).
When I injured my R knee the consultant suggested I just try a brace but that if it wasn't enough he would repair that knee ligament (even at my age - I think I am part of his research to see how many injuries he can repair to keep me skiing!) I got a DonJoy Armour for that knee.
So to sum up get a CTi or Donjoy - it needs to be a 4 point brace to give the stability needed. They will hold your knee preventing twisting. I wear each brace over my thermals and do not feel they are there once skiing. I cannot say which I prefer, they both work well, its just what I could easily get fitted each time.
Good luck - keep skiing!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Further comment-
When I first bought the CTi many years ago they said it should be worn on bare skin. That was uncomfortable so I have always worn it over skin-tight thermals. They then started selling a long knee sleeve which I bought. It doesn't stay up so the brace starts to fall down your leg. Both braces fit exactly to my knee shape as the velcro straps are adjusted to my shape and very comfortable.
I feel braces give more use as I can use them for other activities like dancing. My understanding is that a ski mojo needs to fit to ski boots and on the outside of clothing - not compatable with attending a formal Scottish Ceilidh!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Maybe not quite the CV of @mogulski, I'm 66, but not too far off with regard to knees, and as I live in a resort I ski most days (past ten years) to a reasonable standard plus cross-country skate skiing, and as well as skiing I run hard (sub 25 5km), up and down mountains and do loads of other stuff to feck the knees, as a few on here know, and at least a few times a year I'm off games with a bad knee.
I've used, tried, and tested a myriad of braces
Imbrace Chemy Alcott review not really a knee brace
the very good Stoko brace , review, though not available in Europe.
And I also have left and right Donjoys which I've used at various times.
Earlier this year I spent and evening with Martin Hannaford, who invented the Ski Mojo, and he talked me into trying one out the next day, he also explained how it does support and protect the knee, but that's not something they can officially say.
Anyway I was blown away by it, and it's really worth considering, something which I am, seriously doing at the moment prior to going out for another season.
This is my review
What are the advantages of a Ski-Mojo over a hinged knee brace?
And is the hype surrounding skiing with a Ski-Mojo true?
I always thought that a Ski-Mojo was not an alternative to a medical hinged knee brace such as Donjoy, but after skiing hard with one all day, and with prior persistent knee issues what a revelation it turned out to be!
https://www.stylealtitude.com/ski-mojo-knee-brace-review.html
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Weathercam, bit off topic, but you seem the perfect person to ask - can you use donjoy’s in the sea without knackering them ? My wife quite fancied trying waterskiing again on holiday, but without her right Acl, has decided against it. Wondered if we could bring along her brace next time.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
I feel braces give more use as I can use them for other activities like dancing. My understanding is that a ski mojo needs to fit to ski boots and on the outside of clothing
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The ski mojo is worn under the ski trousers. Though dancing in a kilt with ski boots does sound like "I'm a cripple" envelope a bit too far.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Pejoli, I know a few top kitesurfers who use them out on the water, having smashed their knees in the past, obviously you have to wash the hell out of them to get rid of the saltwater, and even then telling signs do appear, (I leant mine to one yonks ago), and I'm pretty sure I must have used one, but can't remember?
I'm sure the average gnarly kiter would not quite look after it the way common sense (wd40) would dictate 
A couple of water-ski sessions and a soak afterwards would not be an issue.
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