Looking for a knee brace recommendation?

The GenuTrain is a personal favourite - providing the best knee support for active stabilization and targeted pain relief! 

Not all braces are created equal and not all braces do the same thing. Shocker, right? Braces are made from different materials. Some are very rigid, others seem to just be a simple sleeve. They can have plastic, metal, or nothing at all. They may be light and breathable, or heavy and bulky. Some have range of motion limiters, wiring systems embedded into the material, or moldable plastics. There are a lot of things to consider…rigid, semi-rigid, compression weave, neoprene, moisture wicking, gel pad massaging, light weight, waterproof, low-profile, post-op, custom made or off-the-shelf…how do you know what is right for you?

This conversation is about the Bauerfeind line of braces:

Over the past 10 years, I have been recommending Bauerfeind braces to many of my clients for various conditions. For me, it started with the GenuTrain knee brace.

The GenuTrain is one of the first braces that I put on and went…wow. This fits beautifully. The brace is made from a compression weave that is medical grade (20-30mmHg). This helps with circulation to the area as well as limits slippage due to a snug fit (along with little grippy pads in the top). The OmniGel pad is sewn into the fabric on the inside of the brace and acts as a soft stabilizer for the patella. The GenuTrain is best recommended for someone who doesn’t need excessive ligament support; it’s more for tendinopathy, mild chronic knee pain, post-op irritation and mild arthritis. The material is moisture wicking, it’s very durable and stands up to repeated washes.

The S model is a more robust version of the brace recommended for mild to moderate joint instability and arthritis. It has lateral plastic stays and Velcro straps to help reduce stress on the collateral ligaments and maintain joint alignment.

The GenuTrain line is preferred for those transitioning from a heavier, bulkier knee brace to a knee brace more specifically designed for streamlined and sustainable activity and sport.

For me, its worth it. For you, you will have to try it to know for sure.

It starts with a Brace Consultation. When going through a brace consult, some of the information I look for includes:

1. History:
   1. Have you worn a brace before? Did it work?
   2. Are you replacing or is it new?
2. Reason: What condition do you need it for?
   1. Chronic or acute injury
   2. Custom or non-custom
   3. How much support do you need?
3. Activity:
   1. Type of sport/activity
   2. Post-op, return-to-sport, daily use
   3. When will you where it?
   4. How long you will need to have it on
4. Expectation
   1. Mange pain
   2. Limit range
5. Sizing
   1. Measure to find the appropriate size.
6. Price
   1. Brace cost
   2. Details for submitting to insurance.

Brace Consultations are offered in Aurora and in Markham. 

The reason for wearing a brace will cascade into the rest of the questions that goes into recommending a brace. Whatever the need, my job is to find something that works best for you.

I look forward to meeting you!

Written by:
DANIEL SNIDER
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Certified Athletic Therapist