With the winter season just around the corner, it’s time to think about getting ready for all the fun winter sports to come along with the change in weather. While it is impossible to completely protect yourself, there are situations when the body needs external support for security and stability in order to heal following an acute injury, pre/post surgery, or to manage a chronic joint instability or arthritic condition.
That being said, it is important to always remember that you cannot substitute strengthening your extremities with just wearing a brace and to make sure that you also condition yourself before hitting the slopes. For example, seeing an Athletic Therapist or Kinesiologist for an individualized program for rehabilitation or general physical conditioning can be a good way to prepare for the season ahead.
When preparing for the winter season and you are considering a brace, it is important to choose the right brace to fit your needs and lifestyle. Here are a few options for braces that are excellent for winter activities and sports!
With multiple versions available, these braces are designed to serve the needs of a broad range of patients. Indications for use include mild to moderate ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL instabilities, patellofemoral issues, sprains and strains. Great features of this brace include:
This knee brace uses innovative web technology to provide shock absorption and helps disperse energy and shift pain away from the knee. It is a comfortable, easy to apply brace that has a custom-like fit around the knee. Indications for use include patellofemoral conditions, mild to moderate ligament instabilities, osteoarthritis, sprains and strains. This brace is also available in an OA version. Some unique features of this brace are:
This brace is available in custom, osteoarthritis (OA), and prefabricated versions and is ideal for medial or lateral osteoarthritis, unicompartmental knee conditions, ACL, PCL, collateral ligament protection, chondral defect procedures, and meniscal procedures. Some features of this brace include:
As you can see, there are many different and unique options for knee braces. That being said, each individual has their own specific needs and it is important to get the right brace to suit your lifestyle. A specially-trained Orthopaedic Brace Fitter, like myself, can work with you to be a solution provider and ensure you receive the appropriate device that fits and supports you properly.
Don’t let an injury or condition keep you from the slopes this season. Orthoquest carries a great selection of braces from suppliers such as Ossur, Breg, Donjoy, POP, and more that will keep your knees protected even from the most demanding conditions this winter!
Katrina Dittmann, BSc. Kin., BCAK Kin, C-PT
Head Brace Fitter, Kinesiologist
katrina@orthoquestpedorthics.com
Book your apppointment todayComments will be approved before showing up.
FOOTWEAR:
European Sizing chart conversion:
*Please note that these conversion charts serve as a general guideline, actual fitting may vary by style.
Women’s |
|||||||||
US |
4.5-5 |
5.5-6 |
6.5-7 |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
EU |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
Men’s |
||||||||
US |
7.5-8 |
8.5-9 |
9.5-10 |
10.5-11 |
11.5-12 |
12.5-13 |
13.5-14 |
14.5-15 |
EU |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
47 |
48 |
SOCKS :
Sockwell
Brooks
Sock Size |
US Men's Shoe Size |
US Women's Shoe Size |
Euro Shoe Size |
Small |
|
4 - 6.5 |
34 - 37 |
Medium |
6 - 8.5 |
7 - 9.5 |
38 - 41 |
Large |
9 - 11.5 |
10 - 12.5 |
42 - 45 |
XL |
12 - 14.5 |
|
46 - 49 |
ANKLE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
DJO - Roboboots – Short and Tall
SHOE SIZE MEN |
SHOE SIZE WOMEN |
SIZE |
Up to 4 |
Up to 5 |
XS |
4 - 7 |
5 - 8 |
S |
7 - 10 |
8 - 11 |
M |
10 - 13 |
11 - 15 |
L |
13+ |
15+ |
XL |
DJO- Aircast Airsport
DESCRIPTION |
MEN |
WOMEN |
SIZE |
Left |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Right |
Up to 5 |
Up to 5 |
X-Small |
Left |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Right |
5.5 - 7 |
5.5 - 8.5 |
Small |
Left |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Right |
7.5 - 11 |
9 - 12.5 |
Medium |
Left |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Right |
11.5 - 13 |
13 - 14.5 |
Large |
Left |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
Right |
13.5 + |
15 + |
X-Large |
KNEE BRACES:
Bauerfeind
Ossur
Size |
Circumference* |
*Circumference measured 6” above mid-patella |
|
XSmall |
11.5" (29cm) to 13.75" (35cm) |
Small |
13.75" (35cm) to 16" (41cm) |
Medium |
16" (41cm) to 18" (46cm) |
Large |
18" (46cm) to 20.5" (52cm) |
XLarge |
20.5" (52cm) to 22.5" (57cm) |
XXLarge |
22.5" (57cm) to 24.75" (63cm) |
XXXLarge |
24.75" (63cm) to 28.5" (72cm) |
XXXXLarge |
28.5" (72cm) to 32" (81cm) |
DJO
*Measurements taken 6” above mid-patella
SIZE |
MEASUREMENT |
XS/S |
13" - 18.5" (33 - 47 cm) |
M/L |
18.5" - 23.5" (47 - 60 cm) |
XL/XXL |
23.5" - 29.5" (60 - 75 cm) |
XXXL |
29.5" - 31" (75 - 79 cm) |
ELBOW BRACES:
Bauerfeind
HAND BRACES:
Professional Orthopedic Products (POP)
Size |
Wrist Circ. |
X-Small |
4 ¾" - 5 ½" |
Small |
5 ½" - 6 ¼" |
Medium |
6 ¼" - 7" |
Large |
7" - 7 ¾" |
X-Large |
7 ¾" - 8 ½" |
Orliman (thumb brace)
Size |
Wrist Circumference in CM (A) |
Length in CM (B) |
Small |
14 - 18 |
11 |
Large |
18 - 22 |
13 |