Hinged Knee
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 TOWNSENT ADJUSTABLE HINGED KNEE BRACE  US $89.00
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 PhysioRoom Elite Hinged Knee Injury Brace US $71.12
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 NEW MUELLER HG80 HINGED KNEE SUPPORT BRACE MEDIUM BLACK US $64.99
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 Mueller Hinged Knee Brace 57112A US $48.75
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 CMO Wrap Around Hinged Knee Support 0445 XL 2X FREE SHIPPING US $48.00
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 McDavid 422T M Dual Disk Hinged Knee Team Package Black Medium US $47.95
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 PhysioRoom Advanced Hinged Knee Injury Brace US $47.41
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 Hinged Knee Stabilizing Brace Wrap Around Sports NEW US $46.99
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 Mueller HG80 Hinged Knee Support Medium w Free Bag US $46.99
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 Body Glove Hinged Knee Support US $44.95
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 Knee Brace Mueller Hg80 Hinged 54013 Large US $40.00
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 Knee Brace Mueller Hg80 Hinged 54014 Xlarge US $40.00
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 Knee Brace Mueller Hg80 Hinged 54011 Small US $40.00
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 MCDAVID 422R DUAL DISK HINGED KNEE BRACE ALL SIZE BRAND NEW US $37.99
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 Neoprene U Shaped Hinged Knee Support US $34.99
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 Mueller Hinged Wraparound Knee Brace Extra Large US $30.00
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 Mueller Hinged Wraparound Knee Brace X Large US $26.00
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 NEW CHAMPION PROFESSIONAL BLUE NEOPRENE KNEE STABILIZER WRAP w HINGED BARS US $24.89
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 Knee Brace Mueller Hinged Wrap Around Large Size US $24.53
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 Knee Brace Mueller Hinged Open Patella Regular Size US $24.53
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 Mueller Hinged Knee Brace Open Patella Xlarge Size US $24.53
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 Mueller Adjustable Hinged Knee Brace 6455 US $23.00
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 Mueller Hinged Wraparound Knee Brace Support Regular US $22.99
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 OTC Knee Brace with Hinged Bars NEW MEDIUM US $22.95
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ACL Recovery Timeline
A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is an extremely debilitating injury resulting in massive instability of the knee. Unfortunately, a full ACL tear requires surgery due to the lack of blood flowing to the ACL and its consequent inability to heal naturally. This article reviews the factors that will impact the ACL surgery recovery timeline.
Local health services will dictate the time between injury and surgery but there are several things that can be done pre-surgery to reduce the ACL recovery timeline.
Use RICE techniques (rest, ice, compression, elevation) immediately post-injury and all the way up to surgery. This may seem obvious but take it to extremes. For example, pass up on situations where you have to sit with your leg hanging down (for example, dining out.) This will reduce inflammation and enable the range of motion needed before surgery can occur (usually 120 degrees of knee bend.)
Icing and compression can be accelerated and accentuated with an ice/compression cuff system such as the Aircast Cryo/Cuff Cooler. A hinged knee brace will enable unaided walking which will reduce atrophy of the calf muscle. A great example of a knee brace is the DonJoy TROM (Total Range of Motion) Adjuster Knee Brace.
Pre-surgery knee exercises are also essential. Three examples are as follows:
- Ankle pumps: flexing your ankle backwards and forwards with your leg elevated. This works the calf muscle and reduces swelling
- Heel slides are preferably done with your leg elevated but you need a smooth surface to slide your heel towards your butt so you may need to do this with your leg horizontal. This bends the knee and helps with range of motion
- Quad sets: Sending a message from your brain to the quad muscles to get them firing again is harder than you would think but, with practice, will help start the process of rebuilding quad strength.
In terms of the ACL recovery timeline, the single most important factor for a quick recovery is the type of graft chosen for ACL surgery. This can reduce the recovery time by a factor of two.
Grafts are normally one of the following three types:
- Patellar tendon - a piece of the patellar tendon is taken and used to replace the ACL. Naturally the tissue matches well and allows strong bone to bone healing but this can lead to anterior knee pain for years to come
- Hamstring tendon - two tendons are taken from the hamstring and bound together for use as the graft. Healing can take longer because there is no bone to bone healing but this graft alleviates anterior knee pain
- Cadaver - donor tissue. This has the advantage of requiring less operation time, is less painful and allows for smaller incisions. This graft is much less disruptive as there is no secondary operation to take the graft from the patella or hamstring. The disadvantage of a cadaver graft is that it is not as strong as the other graft typeSo a cadaver graft provides a recovery timeline that is twice as fast as the other, more disruptive, grafts. However, its comparative lack of strength means it is unlikely to be the graft of choice for the professional athlete.
One of the major concerns for anyone who has suffered an ACL tear is how quickly they can return to their normal activities post-surgery.
The following is an established timeline for ACL recovery post-surgery:
Surgery to two weeks
The focus should be on range of motion (you should be able to get back to the 120 degrees you achieved pre-surgery), reduction of swelling, and pain minimization. This can be supplemented by quadriceps development and starting to concentrate on walking without a limp.
Weeks 2 to 6
Achieve full range of motion (0 degree straight leg to 135 degree bend) – this might be ambitious if a cadaver graft was not used. Start to re-build muscle strength and balance using a wobble board. Cardio work using a stationary bike, elliptical trainer, and/or stairmaster.
Weeks 7 to 12
Note that the graft is weakest between weeks 6 and 10 so special care needs to be taken. Begin running (but only in a straight line and on a smooth surface.) Hopping without pain or giving way. Outdoor cycling should also be possible although care needs to be taken not to twist the knee when stopping and setting the leg down.
Weeks 13 to 16
Running patterns such as figure of 8, pivot drills etc should be possible although limited to 75% of maximum speed. Jumping should be possible without difficulty.
Weeks 17 to 20
This is the return to sport phase!! Kicking a soccer ball, spiking in volleyball and pivot/drive in basketball should all be possible.
The expectation, therefore, is of a return to sports 5 months after surgery. However, this is a best case and requiring a strong dedication to the rehabilitation program. The likelihood for the majority of ACL injury sufferers will be a return to sports 6-9 months after surgery.
Help with knee brace?
I have a Mueller Adjustable Hinged knee brace I got from Wal-Mart. It's not providing the support I need anymore because it's old and the elastic is all stretched out and worn.
Is there anything that I can do to add support, such as sewing something on it? Basically what I need is some way to stop it from being so stretched out. Any suggestions?
It sounds like the brace is shot and you need a new one.
LP Hinged Knee Support 710
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