Are knee braces used after ACL reconstruction?
Bracing after an ACL reconstruction depends on the surgeon’s preference. Some surgeons use no bracing while some use braces only during the rehabilitation phase. Still others recommend that patients always use a brace. A post-operative brace is often used immediately after surgery. This is a large, sturdy brace that limits motion and helps protect the repair from an unexpected fall or twist. This type of brace is easily adjusted to accommodate the changes in the knee as swelling subsides. A functional brace is lighter and less bulky and is often used during later stages of rehabilitation to protect the ACL reconstruction. Some surgeons recommend continued use of a custom-fit functional brace as a “safety-belt” during sports after this type of surgery. What type of follow-up is done after an ACL reconstruction? Usually, about a year following surgery, the doctor will evaluate the knee to measure the final results of the reconstruction in these areas: • Motion • Stability • Symptoms such
