What is Reddit's opinion of Hinged Knee Brace: Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace - For ACL/PCL Injuries, Patella Support, Sprains, Hypertension and More for Men and Women - (1 Knee Brace, XLarge) , Black?

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Do you have a friend who can interpret for you? Or maybe email the doctors office with some follow up questions? Seems like some of the questions you dont have answers for yet are: ....with physical therapy and careful use is this going yo get better or do I need surgery? ....should I limit activity? ...reading the diagnosis ot says I have a meniscus tear, does this need surgery or will it heal?.... however, maybe you should get a second opinion because it seems like the doctor did not convey to you the very basic information you need. Besides that I would say (1) get physical therapy as soon as possible...physical therapists really help in lots of ways. (2) RICE anytime it hurts. Probably ice it before you go to bed. Knee joint is thick so ice for 15 to 20 minutes to really let the cold soak into the injured tissue. (3) maybe try this knee brace. I tried 4-5 different knee braces and this was the only one that helped. Lots of other people on my sports team use it as well. It has metal for lateral stability, but it's not so bulky that it gets in the way, and it seems to have good compression that really helps. Hinged Knee Brace: Shock Doctor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059MN72W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share good luck. I hope you find a way to get food info and good treatment

I use a beefy ShockDoctor hinged brace. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059MN72W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B3GA85NX4DA5CR06NWMD?psc=1

I tore my meniscus and plica, broke the tip of my tibia (multiple times...), and strained my MCL in high school and college.

I've got some bad instability in my knee and this brace has been good for me.

I was feeling pain on the inside of my knee (MCL) and purchased this guy to help. I was concerned that the added bulk would be an issue, but I just strapped my knee lock a little looser and everything was fine!

Also, as for braces. I used more compression to keep warmth and that feeling of stability, keeping things in line. But again I had developed some muscle and some movement compensations. Like when I would need to brace or do a cut like motion with my bum leg I would tend to turn it inward so more of the strain was directed into the calf and foot rather than the knee. I gained a bit of a inward pronated 'duck foot' like walk that would help compensate. I had to unlearn that when I got my replacement.

Early on however I used a custom molded hard brace, but it wasn't that comfortable and was more for trying to still play basketball. You can definitely spend some money and get some fancy ones. If you are pretty mobile still though you could probably get by with a good strapped hinge compression one like

https://www.amazon.com/Hinged-Knee-Brace-Compression-Hypertension/dp/B0059MN72W/ref=sr_1_42?crid=2G4SQMSV6LAZK&keywords=knee%2Bbraces&qid=1662676629&sprefix=knee%2Bbraces%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-42&th=1

my favorite non hinged compression are the Mava ones.

Also I'd recommend looking up Knees Over Toes guy on youtube. His approach has helped me a lot and will help you build the muscle for stability.

I'm 4 months post op from a complete ACL tear/reconstruction, so take my advice how you will.

If you're gonna wear a sleeve, understand its limits. Sleeves are not intended to be braces. Sleeves help with circulation and swelling. Sleeves themselves do absolutely nothing to stop a movement. Anyone claiming otherwise is wrong, or trying to sell you a sleeve

If you're gonna wear a brace, wear a brace. All those gimmicky spring loaded thing on the side or plastic piece for stability, they're garbage. They're not braces. They're knee sleeves.

Now I like knee sleeves, and own a bunch. For me personally, I go $8 knee sleeve from Amazon (any kind they're all the same). I then wear a Shock Doctor 875 knee brace over the sleeve. The sleeve helps with sweating as the neoprene gets uncomfortable after a while. Then I wear my thicker gi pants because I don't want to scratch anyone with the velcro.

shock doctor 875

Lots of guys use and swear by the Bauerfeind Genutrain S. I don't own one so I can't really comment. BUT it's $200. Lots of people swear by them so maybe they're worth it, but it doesn't look NEAR as supportive as mine. However I believe you could get away with wearing the Bauerfeind in competition where I would be hard pressed to get mine passed inspection (like the guy would have to be blind or not care).

I just finished my 16wks of post op PT. I'm back rolling at like 60% but ONLY with people I trust. I always tell them I'm wearing a brace and why. Some people may not want to roll because they're worried they might hurt you. Valid concern! Take it easy, take it slow. Drill first then slowly progress to live rolls

I was drilling at 3 months. Rolling now at 60%speed at 4 months. Plan on competing next March which will be 1 year from injury (~11mo from surgery)