Custom Knee Brace Clinic - Donjoy Knee Braces
As part of our commitment to supporting athletics and physical health in our community of Etobicoke, our physiotherapy team is ready to consult on custom knee braces for our patients.
Knee brace technology can reduce pain and increase mobility for patients with vulnerable or damaged knees. If you are suffering from a sports-related injury or have arthritis of the knee, a custom knee brace can play an important role in your rehab plan.
At Mimico Medical, our custom knee braces are measured and fitted at our physiotherapy clinic during a one-on-one consultation. Your measurements are then sent to one of our fabrication partners – always one of North America’s leading orthotics brands.
What are knee braces for?
Custom-made knee braces are useful for a variety of conditions or injuries that need to be stabilised, protected, and/or unloaded. Some of the most common use cases are:
Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a prevalent disease for people over 40 years old. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis is not something to be frightened of. But if left untreated, it can cause significant pain and impair mobility.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a gradual breakdown of the cartilage that protects the ends of bones in joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a particularly challenging disease. This is because the knee is a complex joint that bears considerable weight.
Within the knee joint, the breakdown of cartilage tends to occur more at one side of the knee. This causes an imbalance which further aggravates the condition, affecting mobility. Unequal damage causes “malalignment of the knee” which may present as a “bow-legged” or “knock kneed” appearance. With osteoarthritis, if the damage increases in severity, the breakdown of cartilage accelerates. For this reason, it is important to seek immediate treatment – manual osteopathic therapy is an option to consider with your physical therapist.
A custom knee brace can help with knee pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. A specific type of knee brace – the unloader brace – is typically prescribed. This is because the unloader brace helps when one side of the knee joint is more arthritic than the other.
The unloader knee brace consists of two metal bands – one around the thigh and another around the calf – connected via two hinged bars. The knee brace acts to shift weight from one side of the knee to the other – essentially ‘unloading’ the painful side.
Wearing an unloader brace will reduce pain, help mobility and prevent future damage to the knee joint.
For patients with less acute damage to their knee, a hinged knee brace or compression sleeve may work. These are less expensive options and will be considered during an assessment with one of our physiotherapists. Beyond knee braces, we offer different physical therapies such as acupuncture physiotherapy and dry needling therapy.
Acupuncture
Shockwave Therapy
Knee Brace for Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a section of cartilage in the knee that separates the upper leg (fibia) and the lower leg (tibia). The role of the meniscus is to act as a shock absorber and it is important for proper function of the knee. The meniscus also protects the cartilage within the knee, making it your first line of defence against injury and breakdown.
Unfortunately, meniscus tears of the knee are a common occurrence among athletes who play sports involving pivoting, changes in direction at high speeds, or jumping up and down. Soccer and basketball players are examples of athletes at risk for injuries to the meniscus. However, since meniscus damage can occur as a wear-and-tear injury, we also see this condition in older people above the age of 40.
Because meniscus damage can be a precursor to osteoarthritis, it is important to seek treatment immediately following an injury.
A knee brace is an effective option for helping you recover from a meniscus tear. Similar to knee osteoarthritis, an ‘unloader’ brace is typically prescribed for meniscus tears. Its primary function is to help take pressure off the affected meniscus, thus allowing it to heal. The ‘unloader’ is a hinged knee brace that also prevents hyperextension while providing stability and medial/lateral support. The brace also protects against any ligament damage that could occur due to undue stress on an already injured knee.
After a one-on-one assessment with our physiotherapists, if it is necessary, you will be custom measured and fitted for an ‘unloader’ knee brace.
While effective by itself, a knee brace will likely be part of a rehabilitation plan that includes exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist.
Other Injuries and Conditions
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)/Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) tears
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)/Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) tears
General Knee Instability
Some types of knee injuries, diseases and conditions may respond to focused shockwave therapy. At Mimico Medical Physiotherapy we specialize in this type of treatment so be sure to inquire with one of our therapists during your knee brace consultation.
Pelvic Floor Physio
Contact Our Knee Brace Specialists Today
Have a question regarding custom knee braces and how they help with training and recovery? Get in touch with us via our contact form and we will be happy to answer any questions.
Mimico Medical
Custom Knee Brace Clinic
Our Process
After a one-on-one consultation with one of our physiotherapists, a custom knee brace may be prescribed. Here is what you can expect at a custom fitting at our physiotherapy clinic:
Initial Consultation & Measurement
If a custom knee brace is deemed necessary, we will measure the affected knee for the specific brace that is required.
We use a custom measuring tool that we apply to your leg that gently squeezes the sides of your knee. This allows us to take accurate measurements of your knee width and mid-thigh and mid-calf circumference, as well as the angle of your knee.
In order to get the most accurate results, we need to have the knee exposed. We ask that you bring shorts or loose fitting sweatpants to your appointment.
Fabrication Stage
After your initial consultation and measurement, we will send your data to one of North America’s leading knee orthotics manufacturers. We will work with them to deliver a modern knee brace custom-made to relieve your pain and stiffness.
It takes approximately 5-7 business days for the brace to be fabricated. We will then receive the finished brace at the Mimico Medical clinic. We will contact you directly to book your custom fitting appointment.
Initial Bracing Appointment
At your fitting appointment, we will take you through the process of learning how to apply the brace. Our experienced physiotherapists will first ensure that the brace fits perfectly and the fastening straps are at an appropriate length. We will then guide you through a simple step-by-step process of applying the brace to your knee. A few trial runs may be needed for you to become comfortable with doing this on your own.
Follow Up & Monitoring
Your new custom knee brace will most likely be prescribed as part of an integrated physiotherapy plan to get you healthy and mobile again. At your next appointment at Mimico Medical, we will follow up with you regarding your knee brace. We will monitor your success and ensure your knee brace is optimized at each stage of your path to recovery.
Trigger Point Dry Needling
Manual Therapy
Are custom knee braces covered by OHIP?
Knee braces fall under the category of custom orthotics and are not covered by OHIP. However knee braces are often covered by private insurance plans like those offered by many employers.
Contact Our Knee Brace Specialists Today
If you are suffering from an injured or unstable knee then a knee brace will help reduce pain and increase mobility. Our knee brace specialists are based in Etobicoke and ready to consult with you.
Explore our physiotherapy services:
At Mimico Medical Physiotherapy we are committed to expanding access to care in the community of Etobicoke. We offer a range of physiotherapy services. We are committed to women’s health and provide pelvic floor therapy at our postpartum physio clinic.
