See Full Version

Knee Bracing

CTi knee braces are one of the leading knee braces currently available worldwide – and are used for the prevention of injury or stopping an existing one from worsening. Made from carbon fibre, they are both extremely light and strong – allowing the wearer both comfort and reliability. The braces are fitted with a number of hinges, enabling enough movement with which to carry out sport and daily activities – whilst also holding the knee in a safe position. This means that even whilst wearing one, you can take part in physical activity – be it skiing, wakeboarding or any other sport. They also offer great comfort due to the bio-inert Össur® Sensil® Silicone lining – making them both comfortable and practical.

Injuries Treated

  CTi braces are used by both professional and amateur sportspeople to treat a range of injuries. These include: ACL Injury (anterior cruciate ligament) – sprains and tears to this ligament are incredibly common. Symptoms include pain, swelling of the knee, discomfort, limited range of motion. Severe tears may require surgery. LCL Injury (lateral collateral ligament) – located on the outside of the knee, this ligament can tear and rupture when excessive force hits the knee or with a sudden change of direction. Symptoms are similar to ACL sprain, patients often describe a feeling of instability in their knee when walking. MCL Injury (medial collateral ligament) – in the inner side of the knee, this ligament is also vulnerable to sprains which compromise the stability of the knee joint. PCL Injury (posterior cruciate ligament) – often a result of a blow to the knee whilst bent, and can be acute or chronic. Meniscus tear – another common sporting injury, the meniscus is a piece of shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions your tibia (shinbone) and femur (thighbone). Symptoms include pain inside the knee, swelling, knee-locking or giving way.

ACL

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the band of tissue that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone at the knee joint. It provides knee joint stability and helps to control the back and forth movement of the lower leg. An injury to the ACL can be severely debilitating. A torn ACL makes the knee unstable and lose its full range of movement. ACL tear one of the most common types of knee injuries and can be caused by: Changing direction suddenly Stopping suddenly Landing badly from a jump The outcome of a collision like a tackle in football

Symptoms

When the tear occurs patients often speak of hearing an audible pop or crack at the time of injury. Invariably swelling will usually develop rapidly; this is caused by an excess of blood in the knee joint due to rupturing of the blood vessels around the ACL. When the swelling has gone down examination of the knee joint will establish how severe the tear is by measuring the range of movement possible, particularly the ability to straighten the leg.

Treatment

Protection of the torn ligament is vital to prevent further damage. Crutches can be used to minimise weight-bearing strains on the knee joint. A hinged knee brace will limit movement in the knee and provide support to the knee joint. Full recovery may take some months. In the long term a functional knee brace can be used to provide maximum stability to an unstable knee to allow someone to return to high impact sport such as skiing or wakeboarding. Such braces are often used, along with a rehabilitation physiotherapy programme, as an alternative to reconstructive surgery. Functional knee braces can be “off the shelf” or “custom made”. An assessment by one of our experienced clinicians will determine what your most appropriate option would be. Protective knee braces are also a common treatment option for those who suffer from other types of knee injury, like injuries to the Posterior Cruciate ligament(PCL), the Medial Collateral ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral ligament(LCL). For those who want to continue their high impact sport such braces provide the necessary protection to avoid further damage.

You Can Continue To Ski

Find out how one of our patients managed to enjoy a week’s skiing with the CTi brace, after being told by a consultant to cancel the holiday.

Knee Brace Prices

'Off the shelf' knee brace from £480 Bespoke knee brace from £800