Question about knee braces
 

About a month or so ago, I sprained my knee. The orthopedic surgeon said it's an inflamed patella and a torn MCL or something. Anyways, he prescribed me a $900some hinged knee brace, that my insurance won't cover. The only other hinged knee brace (that I can afford) is just your normal knee brace and doesn't stay up on my leg. (I have a weird shaped leg... my calf is alot smaller than my thigh)

Can anyone recommend something cheaper but really good? I've looked on ebay and I'm not sure how much I trust the ones on there. I've actually seen a few that are similar to the one I need, but I'm afraid to order it and then it not fit right.

pm mama, i am so sorry that you sprained your knee and have an inflamed patella. that must be very painful.

i am no expert, just a wife of someone with bad knees(and numerous operations on them) from college athletics and a daughter with numerous injuries from distance running-if the doctor prescribed the $900 brace, that is what you should use. challenge your insurance company if you have to-i think that it would be much cheaper for them to cover the cost of the brace rather than pay for an operation and physical therapy later on. call your state insurance commissioner if you have to-you pay a premium every month for health insurance-they should be there when you need them!!

as an alternative call the doctor again, tell him that the insurance company won't pay and that you simply cannot afford the brace-maybe he can do something or come up with a cheaper alternative. best wishes for a speedy recovery.

PM_Mama, if your insurance won't cover your knee brace, you will most likely be able to write it off as a tax deduction. Don't know if that helps any.

pm_mama,

knee injury's suck. i've had some myself and they are not fun. as far as your knee brace, did you talk to your dr and or insurance? how long would you need the brace, did you get a second opinion? what about PT?

i don't mean to be nosey, or sound like a know it all, but as someone who's had some medical issues, in the past, it never hurts to ask a lot of questions and even get a second opinion. Find a dr who's happy to answer all your questions and work with your insurance. Something I learned the really hard way.

As for buying knee braces on ebay i'd stay away from that. to me, it just doesn't seem kosher.

good luck and let us know how you're healing goes.

Sorry to hear about your knee problems. They're not fun!

What is the knee brace for?

I have had three knee surgeries. I was prescribed one of those huge Don Joy custom made knee braces so that I could participate in sports. (I have two completely torn ACLs). However.. I tore my meniscus again WEARING the knee brace. I don't have much faith in them.

I would go back to your orthopedist and explain the situation. Maybe he can recommend something else. He could show you a way of taping it to give you more support.