How Long do You Wear a Brace After ACL Surgery?

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major ligaments of the knee joint. It connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shinbone) and runs diagonally across the knee joint. The ACL helps stabilize the knee during twisting and rotating knee movements. 

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is the most common injury seen in athletes. ACL tears may require surgical treatment to reconstruct the torn ligament. After an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery, the reconstructed ligament will take some time to heal.

During this period, some orthopedic surgeons may recommend the use of knee braces. These are protective gears that support the operated knee. Generally, patients who return to high-level sports within a year of surgery use a knee brace. ACL braces are a great way to provide extra support and stability to the knee joint and prevent further injury.

How to Wear a Knee Brace After ACL Surgery?

When using a knee brace after an ACL reconstruction surgery, the most important factor is to ensure that the brace fits you properly. Your surgeon and physical therapist will guide you about how to check for the correct fit of a knee brace. Here are some points to note about a knee brace usage:

• It should neither be too loose nor too tight.
• If it is very loose, it may be a safety hazard because the brace may slide down your leg. This may cause you to trip and fall. 
• If the knee brace is too tight, it may block the blood circulation to your lower leg, which causes:
  • Discomfort (Pain)
  • Swelling 
  • Bruising and discoloration
  • Numbness and tingling sensation 
• You should be able to slide two fingers under each strap.
• If there is a hinge in your knee brace, ask your surgeon how to adjust it.
• The hinges should be well aligned with the center of your kneecap on both sides. This guarantees proper placement of the knee brace.
• The knee brace is worn directly on top of the skin and not over pants. This does come with an exception, as some braces are manufactured to be worn over pants. 

How Long do You Wear a Brace After ACL Surgery?

ACL surgery is performed to repair the ligament tear by removing the damaged remnants of the ligament and replacing them with a graft (either from your body or from a deceased donor). As your knee joint bears most of your body weight, it needs sufficient support as your joint heals post-surgery. For this purpose, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend you wear a knee brace as a part of your recovery and rehabilitation program. 

A knee brace is generally worn for 6 to 9 weeks post-ACL reconstruction surgery. A knee brace should be removed while sleeping and during physical therapy exercises. Once your quadriceps muscles (group of muscles present in front of your thigh) become capable of protecting your knee, you will be recommended to stop wearing the knee brace.

Why Choose an ACL Knee Brace?

There are 3 main reasons you may need an ACL brace:

• Instability after an ACL injury
  • The main purpose of an ACL is to provide stability to your knee. When the ligament is injured, it affects knee stability. This limits you from various routine activities and sports.
  • If there is repeated wear and tear of the knee, there will be more damage, especially to the cartilage.
  • This is overcome by the ACL brace, which protects and supports your knee.
• Post-surgery recovery
  • Many surgeons recommend you wear the knee brace as a part of the rehabilitation program as the graft is vulnerable post-surgery and needs time to heal (approximately 6 to 12 weeks).
  • Wearing a knee brace will help limit your knee movements and decrease the force exerted on the grafted ligament. This helps lower the risk of rupture or damage to the graft as it heals.  
• To prevent injury
  • The risk of re-injury after the ACL reconstruction is more when you return to sports and other activities (due to the stress on your knee joint). The knee brace is a protective gear that shields the operated knee from trauma and injury.

What Are The Pros And Cons of Knee Bracing After ACL Surgery?

After ACL reconstruction surgery, you will be advised to wear a knee brace. Various studies were conducted about the requirement of a knee brace after surgery, but the results remained inconclusive. Hence, the surgeon must decide whether you require a knee brace after the surgery. Let’s discuss the pros (advantages) and cons (disadvantages) of wearing a knee brace after surgery.

Pros:

• It reduces the pain by decreasing joint stress.
• It provides stability to the joint, especially during rehabilitation, thus, decreasing the chances of any re-injury to the operated ACL (slipping, tripping, and falling).
• It will enhance the recovery of people involved in sports allowing their early return to work/sports.
• It is easy to wear and remove.
• It is easily available at the pharmacy and is affordable (cost-effective).

Cons: 

• It will not be an alternative to the rehabilitation program after an ACL surgery. It is an add-on to the recovery process.
• It does not look good aesthetically.
• If worn continuously for many months, it can cause a delay in recovery (prevent the normal movements of the knee): 
  • You will be dependent on it and cannot walk independently without it.
  • You will experience weakness and loss of strength of the muscles.
• It is very uncomfortable to wear, especially in summer, as it causes sweating and itching of the skin under the brace.

How Does The ACL Knee Brace Work?

After an ACL reconstruction surgery, your orthopedic surgeon recommends wearing a knee brace 6 to 9 weeks post-surgery. This is a period when your graft is vulnerable and healing. Any force on your operated knee which cannot be tolerated may cause the graft to rupture. Wearing a knee brace protects the graft while healing. It also helps to control the range of motion of your knee, thereby decreasing the excessive forces that reach the graft. 

It is recommended that the braces are worn during exercise, sports, and distance walking. They may not be worn while you sleep, but if the patient gets up frequently during the night, s/he may choose to wear the knee braces even during sleep.

Is a Knee Brace Necessary After ACL Surgery?

A knee brace may not always be necessary after ACL surgery. Multiple comparative studies showed no significant differences between the two groups – one advised to use knee braces, and the other did not wear knee braces post-surgery. Hence, whether you require a knee brace after your ACL repair depends on your orthopedic surgeon and your opinions, which are based on your unique knee anatomy, lifestyle, age, and daily activities.

Takeaway

For decades, orthopedic surgeons have recommended knee braces to their patients following ACL reconstruction surgery. They aid in protecting the graft tendon, enhancing the knee joint stability, and protecting it from further injuries and trauma. However, research indicates that they may not be necessary post-surgery.

You can reach out to our team at Medfin for any queries on ACL surgery and the use of knee braces. Our expert team of Orthopaedists in bangalore can guide you on the right treatment measures for your concern. 

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Disclaimer: 

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/ surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.