Knee Brace Reviews? CTi2, EBI Alliance, DonJoy

**MHSP #1497** · 05-21-2008, 07:19 PM

Blew my ACL patrolling back in January (and we've had the best snow in 35 years...). Had it reconstructed in February, and now am getting the Bledsoe Axiom-OTS on prescription from my DO.

Anyone got any experience with this brace? I didn't get a choice, it's what he likes and went with...

Need to get in shape to patrol again next season, but don't want to risk re-injury in the meantime. I'll probably wear the brace thru next season as I don't want to put a patient at risk by skiing without one...

Thanks!!!

Josh

**Downhill Girl** · 08-10-2008, 10:09 AM

I haven't heard much about the Axiom but it appears to be very similar to the rest of the custom braces out there like the Donjoy Defiance and the CTi. My orthopedic doctor was pretty flexible in my choosing of a brace because I had very bad insurance coverage. So I ended up having to research them myself and bought the brace on my own. For anyone in the same boat you can get them without having to pay a fortune http://www.dme-direct.com/donjoy-def...brace-don-joy/ and http://www.dme-direct.com/cti-knee-b...vation-sports/. Later!

**GapersGoHome** · 08-10-2008, 11:06 AM

I know this thread is kinda old, but I'll put my .02 in anyway...

I haven't had surgery yet (**thank the LORD**), but I'm trying to avoid it at all costs. Doctors reccommended it at one point 3 years ago, but I did what I could to take care of them, stayed off of them for a summer, and hit the accupuncture HARD. Did the superheated needle method, which is supposed to melt away scar tissue... Well, whatever, it worked.

Now I rock Asterisks on both legs. I am absoloutely in love with them... And I use them for everything - Wake, XC, DH, and even backpacking in the summer; Tele and Alpine in the winter. Possibly the best feature of these is the adjustable cuff on the frame. When my legs are smaller at the beginning of the season, I can crank them down, and they're nice and snug. As the season progresses, and the Tele turn beefs up my legs, I just open them up, bit by bit. That way, they're always snug, even in the summertime. They see about 2-3 days of wakeboarding a week, so I know that they're holding up just fine in the sun and the water, and they do take a beating when I take them on the bike, so I'm pretty confident that they're in it for the long haul.

Customer service at Asterisk is absolutely killer. I broke a clip on one brace, and even though they're out of warranty, they're replacing all the clips on BOTH knees for $25, including shipping. I'm actually having them replace the restraint system while they're in the shop... all new laces, the corset, clips, etc. is only $100 bucks. Overall, I've been really, really happy with them, and I like the adjustable extension stop, too... I can crank them down for teleing, and then open them up for wakeboarding, where I need a more straight-legged stance. Plus, they're not as spendy as other systems out there... I think the new ones are like $600 for both knees.

**splat** · 08-10-2008, 01:13 PM

This thread is still a valuable resource. Man, those things are pricey...

**orangemarmalade** · 08-11-2008, 07:56 PM

Looking ahead - Are braces for ACL MCL tears only? What about severe Meniscus tears? Won't see the doc of 7 weeks and curious what the mags think.

**tarkman1** · 08-12-2008, 12:33 AM

Check my math, but I think Innovation Sports has undergone some ownership changes. I've heard that they've decline in the past year or two.

I have a CTi2, the PCL version. I've skied on that thing the last two seasons (80-100 days each). I don't even notice it being there.

If you get a custom brace. Get a measurement for where the top of you ski boot is. Having clearance between the tongue of your boot and the cuff of the brace is a good thing.

**RRII** · 09-24-2008, 09:06 AM

Yeah, the Axiom is the best you can get. It is the ONLY one that doesn't slide down your leg!!! The others say they don't but flat out do.

The Axiom also has a strap that helps keep the tib stable when you're on snow which I love! I've worn others but swear by this.

**Woodlandclown** · 09-24-2008, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by RRII

Yeah, the Axiom is the best you can get. It is the ONLY one that doesn't slide down your leg!!! The others say they don't but flat out do.

The Axiom also has a strap that helps keep the tib stable when you're on snow which I love! I've worn others but swear by this.

i have a breg x2k and it does not slide down leg. I wear mine under stuff though. i dont get the whole wearing it on the outside of your pants. whats the point? it does make you look hardcore though.

**Skidog** · 09-24-2008, 10:24 AM

I could put you in contact with my wife. Her company sells these braces. They are mostly a breg shop but she can give you any info you want im sure.

Let me know if you want contact info.

**BonesMX00** · 04-19-2009, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Skidog

I could put you in contact with my wife. Her company sells these braces. They are mostly a breg shop but she can give you any info you want im sure.

Let me know if you want contact info.

I see the question all over the place about how to get the CTi's paid for by insurance... I went ahead and created a step by step for anyone who needs it. It seems to be the hidden mystery on how to get a pair of CTI's if your doc doesn't carry them outright.

I copied this from the web and fixed the links for everyone... I know it seems like a lot, but it's detailed to make it easy...

Getting CTi Knee Braces Covered Through Your Insurance

Getting insurance to pay for your knee braces can be difficult; this page is designed to help you with the process. While CTi's are used all over the world as a preventative measure to reduce the chances of a knee injury, remember, they are designed as a post-injury device, recognized by most insurance companies as such. This is much different than your Asterisks, EVS Webs, Fox Pods, etc... CTi's are approved, and coverable medical devices.

If you have a pair of healthy knees, your insurance will probably not pay for them. To help prevent knee injuries, get a pair of CTi's before you get hurt. The out of pocket expense will be dwarfed by the time, rehabilitation and possible surgery relating to a knee injury such as an ACL tear, sprain, etc.

Even with these tools, there is no guarantee that your doctor will prescribe CTi's. It is up to you to educate them, and with the info listed below, will give you the best path to get a pair of the best knee braces in the industry. That being said, here are the steps to getting your CTi Knee Braces covered by your insurance company:

Step 1: Download this CTi Fact Sheet and bring it to your doctor.
This will help educate you and your doctor on why CTi's work so well for motosports. They are just intended to help educate the doctor to the unique demands of these sports and why CTi braces work well for them. It is also up to you to educate them.

Step 2: Obtain your prescription from your doctor.
Once your doctor has deemed fit that your specific knee injury(s) require CTi's, he will write you a prescription for one, or both, depending on his assessment of your needs. The decision is entirely up to your doctor on what to prescribe him, so the best you can do is educate him on why CTi's are ideal for you. Don't pressure him!

Step 3: Fill out this Insurance Application and Medical Release Form
Fax them to us at (888) 898-5633 with a copy of your: insurance card, doctor's prescription, and any medical records related to your injury. You can have your doctor's office fax your medical records to us directly (888-898-5633) if that's easier. (You can also scan these documents if you have a scanner and e-mail them to: cs@braceyourselfmx.com.)

We cannot proceed with your insurance request without these items:

* Insurance Application
* Medical Release Form
* Insurance Card
* Doctor's Prescription
* Medical records related to your injury (if available).

Step 4: Wait for Insurance Pre-authorization.
Once we have all the required documents, we will send them to your insurance company for pre-authorization. Please be patient. We will contact you once we receive the approval from your insurance company and go over all the details, including copay amounts, etc.

Step 5: Approval and Measurement.
Once we receive the approval, we will contact you to arrange the correct sizing. On a CTi Off-The-Shelf, this is very simple. We only need one simple measurment: A circumference measurement just below the distal border of the patella. In other words, a measurement just below the bottom of your knee cap, all the way around your knee. Once we record those measurements, we're ready to order your CTi(s)!

Step 6: Delivery!
Once we deliver your knee braces, you'll need to fill out this Delivery Receipt and you're done! You have your CTi's and can get started in your steps to rehabilitation!

For more info, you can always call us at (888) 898-5633 and we'll walk you through the steps!

**sshapiro** · 07-10-2009, 03:38 PM

I recently had the same ACL surgery and also was using crutches for months... I found some great articles on the Ossur CTI knee brace doing a google search for it and I found one website http://www.braceshop.com/productcart...ce-607p495.htm that gave me a lot of information on it. That is the direct link and their prices were better than going through my insurance. So, I purchased the brace and it helped tremendously!!! It was awesome.... Hope that helps...
~Sean

Originally Posted by marcg

Anyone have any Functional brace reviews on any of these?

CTi2 - Possibly the Vaport Sport brace...or just the regular CTi2
EBI - Alliance
DonJoy - Defiance

Just got done with Surgery for ACL Reconstruction and Meniscus repair...I am on crutches non weight bearing for 6 weeks.

I damaged my knee wakeboarding, I think I am done with that sport for a while....too many knee injuries.

I am going to mainly using the brace for Surfing and Snowboarding.

I heard mixed reviews, I have heard the DonJoys slip down your leg quite freqeuently. I have a DonJoy post op brace and this thing SUCKS.

Heard some good things on the CTi2 braces....I was looking to the Vapor Sport brace they have.

EBI Alliance is fairly new but I have heard they are really supportive....look a little bulky though.

Thanks.

**KimD** · 07-10-2009, 05:22 PM

Years ago, I had a CTi brace. I am now the proud owner of a Donjoy Defiance Female Fourcepoint. It feels pretty good, doesn't slip and well, it's much prettier and lighter than the old one. It was covered 100% by my insurance, so I got it. I figure it can't hurt. If nothing else, it seems to stop people from jostling me and it seems to help keep me from falling out of my followthrough on the golf course. *shrug*