I had dislocated my knee 2 days before I received this brace. I was in such pain I couldn't move. I was literally screaming in pain. My wife was ready to call the EMS. After about an hour, I finally got it to pop back into place. The first thing I did was get on Amazon and find this brace. Do not want to go through that pain again. I had my rotator cuff torn in 2 places in a motorcycle accident and the pain didn't compare to dislocating a knee. Please do as it suggests and actually measure your knee 2" below the kneecap. It has a sizing chart and it suggest getting 1 size larger. Personally, I didn't see the logic in this, but my wife convinced me to follow instructions and buy the XXL. I am so glad I did, it fits very snugly but not so much that it cuts off circulation. It keep the lateral movement of my knee almost to nothing. I do find I have to take it off at night when I sleep just to let it breathe. I would recommend this to anyone with any kind of knee problems. It gives it the support it needs and keeps you from being in agonizing pain. If I could give this a 10 star rating, I would.
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I totally blew my knee out during Krav Maga class by landing off-balance on my left leg. I never had a knee injury before so it was a new experience. I couldn't even put any weight on it without it feeling like my leg was going to separate at the knee. We went to the local Walgreens and got a basic pair of crutches and the best knee brace they had on the shelf, which is the Mueller Hinged Wraparound Knee Brace, Black, Lg. I wore that one for about 5 days before it started to feel like it wasn't giving me much support, no matter how much I tightened it. I was getting into my car and moved my leg just right (or just wrong) and tweaked my knee again, even with the brace on.
Knowing that my knee is worth the expense to keep from re-injuring it, I ordered this Shock Doctor knee brace and was thankful that Amazon has Sale Day delivery in my area.
++++ HOW TO ORDER THE RIGHT SIZE ++++
Be sure to order the right size! ** Ignore the note about it running small! You want to err on the side of it being small because it does stretch and break in! **
In case you need it, here are the sizes:
S = 12.25" - 13.25"
M = 13" - 14"
L = 13.75" - 14.75"
XL = 14.5" - 15.5"
XXL = 15.25" - 16.25"
My upper calf is 15" in diameter 2" below the kneecap as instructed to measure, so I ordered a Large. Yes, it was a tad small, but it worked out for me.
++++ HOW TO PUT IT ON ++++
To install it, slide it over your leg like you would anything else. It will feel VERY tight in the calf area. Grab the sides of the top opening where the little grippers are and pull it on until it is in place, then wrap the straps around accordingly. YOU WANT IT TO BE TIGHT IN THE CALF THE FIRST TIME YOU WEAR IT!
It will seem like it is way too small the first day. Also, the straps that wrap around the back of your knee feel like they are digging in the back of your leg. Adjust them once in a while or put a think piece of cloth on the back of your knee for a while. After a while, they break in as well.
Day 1 - will feel very tight.
Day 2 - will still feel very snug, but more comfortable.
Day 3 - you can wear this all day and not even think about it.
It definitely needs time to break in and stretch to fit your leg, but once it does, it is awesome.
++++ THE SUPPORT IS GREAT! ++++
So let's talk about the most important part...THE SUPPORT...
The first time I put it on and tightened the straps down, I felt like I could do jumping jacks on a sprained knee. Of course, I knew better...but it feels VERY solid and VERY secure. It drastically helped me get back to walking around and building strength in my knee again. I suppose the only downside, other than the break-in period, is the confidence it gives you that if you are not careful, you can start acting "normal", overdo it and hurt your leg again. Remember, it is just a support and not something built by Tony Stark. Also, you cannot bend your leg fully as the straps in the back get in the way, but if you are wearing this, you probably shouldn't be bending your leg that far anyway.
Of course, everyone's injuries and body structure is different so your results may vary, but this was without a doubt the best I could buy for my injury and to avoid injuring it again.
Very impressed with the increased stability. I injured my knee playing indoor soccer (a couple times) and did not get it checked out by a doctor. Since the first injury my knee has been "wobbly" side-to-side, and I was fearful of putting full weight on it when slowing or pivoting. After wearing this brace twice in-game, I feel much more confident in making cuts and placing weight at various angles that I could not achieve without the added support. I would certainly not recommend others use this brace as an alternative to seeing a medical professional as I have, but it does do a great job of giving back confidence for someone who is working on rebuilding strength in an injured knee.
There are so many positive things about this brace that make it great. The fabric is very strong and is stitched well. The X straps hold everything in place better than any other brace I've used in the past (outside of the $1500 one insurance paid for after a full ACL reconstruction), and it does not slide down my leg after time like most braces tend to do. I very much like that the hinges lock at 180 degrees to prevent hyper-extension. And finally, the Velcro on the straps are legit and does not let go until giving a firm pull.
The one word of caution I would offer, as many others have also commented, is to buy the size larger than you think you need. This beast is meant to hug your knee tight, and can be a bit of an effort to get it on and off. That said, the tiny struggle for putting on and taking off is absolutely worth the added support and confidence while wearing it. Pro tip: I use the ends of hinges to pull up and push down to help move it into place. To again echo others, this brace is not meant to be worn for several hours at a time. It's not uncomfortable, but I definitely don't forget that I'm wearing it, and it is a relief once it's off again.
There aren't any negatives about the brace that would make me think twice about buying another one of these if necessary or recommending to someone else in my situation. Bang for the buck, this brace is the real deal.
My wife tore her ACL completely playing soccer and sprained her MCL as well. The clinic that diagnosed this tried to sell her a $375 DonJoy knee brace that sold for $180 or something on Amazon. I told her not to buy it and that we'd find something that was cheaper but didn't sacrifice on quality or comfort. Before you know it I'm 20 tabs deep in knee braces, ACL tear stories, etc. and I have 30 choices with 30 different people telling me different things. I narrowed it down between this one (Shock Doctor), the Mueller Hg80, and some McDavid braces. The expensive one at the clinic had been long and gone up the thigh a good ways and down the calf a good ways - the stability this lent was key to my wife. In the end I chose the Shock Doctor because I looked like it was really stability-focused and myself and more importantly my wife have been very pleased with the purchase.
The brace has some size but I wouldn't call it especially bulky, I'll try and get some pictures up. It goes a good way up the thigh and a good way down the calf and has metal hinges running the full length on each side of the knee. My wife has athletic (read: large) calves and thighs from playing sports all her life - so sizing and good, strong straps were a big concern. We measured her knee 2 inches below mid-knee like the pic shows and I think it was 14.6 inches, right in-between Large and X-Large. Follow the advice in the chart, if you're near the top range and within the bottom range of the larger size, just go with the larger size. The X-Large ended up being a solid choice and has worked well for 3 weeks now even as her swelling has gone down and her knee has gone closer to the large size.
For your sake, ignore the names "X-Large", "Large", etc. and just stick to the measurements. My wife is not a big person, but the X-Large sizing was right, so we went with it. It might feel weird ordering an XL for a tiny girl, but just listen to the measurements, not the labels.
Materials are very sturdy and durable. The straps haven't loosened or come undone a single time. The rest of it has a solid feel. The metal doesn't squeak. Overall the materials work well to really stabilize the knee and help give the feeling of some extra stability to a potentially wobbly knee.
Comfort is great. Like most braces you want to take it off occasionally but if you have to wear it all day, it's very doable. No sore spots from rubbing, etc.
Overall a very good brace that is very good quality for a solid price. If you're like me and reviewing a million reviews on a million different products, I can say this one has performed well and if you get the size right, I don't think it'll let you down.
The product works great, the biggest issue all of the reiews have is that it's missing a sizing chart. So here is the chart taken directly from the box:
Measure 2 inches below your knee cap
S = 12.25" - 13.25"
M = 13" - 14"
L = 13.75" - 14.75"
XL = 14.5" - 15.5"
XXL = 15.25" - 16.25"
The reason you measure the top of your calf is because that's the narrowest part of the brace and you want to make sure the brace will fit over and comfortably of your calf.
Feature Product
- PREVENTS AND PROTECTS - Helps prevent and heal medial and lateral instability, minor patella instability, meniscus injuries, minor ligament sprains, hypertension, arthritis, and more
- MOISTURE AND ODOR PREVENTION - Antimicrobial and airflow vented tech to reduce odor, bacteria, and moisture, so you can stay comfortable through the toughest days and workouts
- BOOST MOVEMENT AND COMFORT - Heavy duty bilateral dual hinges provide support while allowing you to move comfortably with four-way stretch Lycra mesh and pre-curved anatomical design, fits left and right knee
- PREMIUM MATERIALS - Latex-free, premium stitching, and integrated flexible side stabilizers, stays in place and includes easy grip tabs for accurate fitting
- LIFTS AND COMPRESSES - Compression supports soft tissue, joint alignment and relief, and boosts therapeutic heat for improved blood flow which aids in healing tendon and muscle
- This product is intended to be close-fitting for the best protection so it may fit small. If your measurements are close to the maximum size range, we recommend sizing up for comfort. Sizing will vary.
- Note: Kindly refer "how to measure" video included before purchase
- Kindly refer the sizing image before buying this product
Description
Our most advanced and protective Knee Support. The 875 Ultra Knee Support features bilateral support hinges and tempered aluminum stays for knee stability, protection and increased performance. You can be confident going into any exercise session, practice or game knowing that past knee injuries won't hold you back. The premium stitching assembly, patella support finishing and Lycra binding are built for the most rigorous activities and long lasting comfort.
Convenient finger tabs offer easy grip pull when you're putting the Ultra Knee Support on. Performance Level 3: Medium stability and support for moderate to major ligament sprains, muscle strains and unstable joints allowing for use as necessary for recovery. Dual hinge and stays for maximum support and protection.
Patent pending X-Fit straps for security and comfort. N-Tex for moisture wicking and therapeutic warmth and healing. Integrated Antimicrobial Technology to reduce odor causing bacteria. LATEX FREE.
For Preventing and Healing:
* Exercise and Workout Injuries
* Sports Injuries (Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Baseball, Running, Soccer, and More)
* ACL and PCL Injuries
* Patella Support
* Ligament Sprains
* Hypertension
* Medial and Lateral Instability
* Meniscus Injuries
* Added Knee Protection and Support
* Knee Instability
* Dislocated / Blown Out Knee
Sizing Suggestions:
Measure the circumference of your knee 2in/5cm below the center of your knee cap (patella). If your measurements are at the top of the size range, we recommend selecting the next size up.
Includes:
1 Ultra Knee Brace (875) from Shock Doctor
After 1 year of heavy use, this knee brace was still going strong. I just bought another because I figured the first was breaking down and protecting my knee is worth more than $50. I had good luck with the quality - all seams still intact and strong hinges are a little bit looser but
still fine.
I play indoor court sport (handball) several hours per week. Lot of cutting and twisting. I couldn't play without a brace. I've tried several others and this one is the best for my use. Other shock doctor also pretty good.
Mine is a size M - used the size chart and it fits well. Was tight at first and little uncomfortable but once I broke it in has been good. Better it is tight at the beginning or will be too loose later. I find I need to adjust the velcro straps sometimes during games just to make it tighter, but never had problems with it coming loose. I'm surprised to read some reviews where people are having problems with quality or fit. Unlucky I guess. Hoping my second one goes the distance again.
Adding another note: I dive for the ball with some frequency and sliding across the floor can damage the brace. There is mesh fabric that covers the hinge and the sharp (rubber) edge on the hinge cut through the fabric there. I've patched it a couple times. Not a fault with the brace per se just I'm using harder than was intended by design. Still a great brace for the money and my knee is doing well despite few hours per week of hard use. Better to spend a few $ replacing braces than a few thousand $ trying to repair knees.
I like it BUT...
ORDER LARGER THAN YOU NEED. If you order too small the aluminum hinge (which causes a "lump" inside the brace) will dig into your MCL and possibly make it worse. If you order too large you can place an elastic support underneath the brace to add cushion and fill any empty space.
Worn on one leg with shorts is also not possible without the strap scratching (seriously) the bare leg. Plan on taping either the other leg or the brace to protect your bare skin.
The chart says I'm an L. But it takes an XXL to fit. The XL is too small, even though the chart says an L should fit. I measured VERY CAREFULLY and used the largest measurement I could get. A Large should fit me easily according to the chart, but it takes TWO sizes larger to keep the hinge from digging into my knee!!! If the hinge supports were flush with the inside this wouldn't be a problem. One star off for that and the bad chart.
IMO the sizing chart is responsible for many returns. Personally I would order TWO sizes too large and use an elastic support underneath IF NECESSARY. You still may not need it.
Also don't expect miracles. You won't be playing sports with a sprained ligament just because you put this on if you can't without it. It's also a little bulky so some sports may present a problem.
All that said, not a bad product.
After one knee experiencing a full MCL tear, I was not able to ski without a lot of pain and discomfort. After the other knee suffered something like a grade 1 MCL sprain, I knew I had to find something. At a hockey players forum or website, I found various recommended knee braces., This was the top rated brace. And I tell you, its amazing. After years of not skiing, I got back on the slopes and withing half a day, I was back on the double black diamonds.
Very important to notes:
- pay close attention to the sizing guides. They are extremely tight to begin with. Buy the size smaller. They will break in and form to your knee after several uses.
- Wear some kind of under armor between your skin and the brace, otherwise it may be impossible to take them off until they've been broken in.
- do NOT use the pull tabs to put them on or take them off. The pull tabs will tear!
- do not overtighten the velcro straps. At full bent knee, they will also tear.
- to put them on, I use the bottom of the hinge to push them up over the knee and into place.
- to take them off, I use the top of the hinge to push them down.
I recommend these for any sport where there is lateral or forward knee support needed, like hockey, skiing, rollerblading. I'm not sure how they would do in basketball or tennis, where you have top do some fast running. They are VERY tight fitting at first, and I cant imagine running in them, however, they might loosen up enough to do that. I have come to terms with just getting different braces for different activities, based on the type of strain put on my knees.
These, in my opinion, are as good as braces that are sold for hundreds of dollars. I will be using them for skiing as well as dirt biking.
I really love this knee brace!!! I highly recommend this product and I read a variety of reviews from others who've purchased it so that's been a great help. Definitely purchase a size larger than what it says in the size chart as it does run a bit small. I bought the medium because I do have built calves but have lost a lot of muscle on the rest of my leg because of my injury. After I ruptured my ACL and tore both of my meniscus' I was wearing a full leg brace. My physio recommended I buy a hinged knee brace until I can have surgery because the full leg brace started to aggravate my knee. The shock doctor knee brace is great in supporting my leg because I can't straighten my knee and bend it past 70 degrees. So a lot of the time my knee is slightly bent. The first day is uncomfortable as it is still tight and the hinges dig into your skin a bit but it will loosen overtime and become more comfortable. I'm not used to sleeping with it yet (side sleeper) because of the hinges putting pressure on my leg .
Regardless of still being in pain from my meniscus tears this product really takes a load off my knee even though I can only apply minimal weight bearing to my injured knee. It's promising and takes a short period to adjust to it. I've been using it for almost 3 days.
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