Functional knee braces come in three variations: ACL, PCL and CI. What is the difference between the three and how do I determine which I should order?
The functional bracing line was designed to provide ligamentous control to the knee both pre-injury (prophylactically) and post-injury. The majority of product usage occurs post-injury.
The most common ligament injury is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. The second is damage to the posterior cruciate ligament or PCL, while the third is a combination injury to both the ACL and PCL ligaments (Combined Instabilities or CI), usually caused by a major trauma to the knee joint. Because each of these injuries creates specific indications in the joint, we apply the appropriate leverage forces to support the affected ligament. Therefore, when an ACL is torn, we recommend an ACL specific brace. This brace will supply the appropriate force loads to control any anterior tibial movement that the ACL itself would usually control. Likewise, a PCL or CI brace will address the distinct needs of these injuries.
