Prescribed knee braces?

gharmon
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gharmon
Edited Date/Time 9/8/2012 7:49am
I have heard several people mention on here, over several years, about getting knee braces prescribed and then having insurance pay for most of them. What brands have to be prescribed and do I need to do anything to have my Dr. write me a prescription?

The reason I ask is that I tore my left ACL on Oct 29th 2011. I then had it repaired March 8th 2012. I stuck my foot out in a corner and the ass in slid out just a little resulted in my foot getting twisted thus tearing my ACL. I sure as hell don't want to go thru this shit again. Those CTI's and shit are expensive so if I can get insurance to foot some of the bill it would be nice.

Thanks for any info.
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WhipMeister
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WhipMeister 6/17/2012 9:39pm
6/17/2012 9:39pm
Just a question, but you were cleared to ride by your doc 90 days out from surgery?
ianhendry46
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ianhendry46 6/17/2012 10:11pm
6/17/2012 10:11pm
WhipMeister, if a doctor releases someone who tore their ACL bad enough to need surgery after 90 days then he is either one of two things...
1. The best doctor known to mankind.
2. A dumbass.
Sorry for being a smartass.

gharmon, I am going through the same thing right now and I am getting the POD k700 perscribed to me. You need to talk to your doctor about it first then if he says he will do it, talk to your insurance company and see what you need to do. Good Luck.
Clapped
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Clapped 6/17/2012 10:17pm
6/17/2012 10:17pm
Call your Dr. and ask. I had my ACL surgury last year and my insurance (Humana) covered knee braces. A week or so after the surgery, I called and asked if he could prescribe both sides, he said for sure the one I had surgery on, and he'd shoot for the other knee as well. After hassling with the ins co, I got both of them covered. I have the CTi2 braces and they are by far the best I've worn. They will refit them for free for up to one year after they are prescribed, and had a lifetime warranty.
goonslurkin316 6/17/2012 11:45pm
6/17/2012 11:45pm
I'm in the same boat man, I went to the doctor and showed him some CTI stuff, but he insisted on giving me a donjoy brace that's something a football player would wear. The thing still hyper extends.

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gharmon
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gharmon 6/18/2012 2:10am
6/18/2012 2:10am
WhipMeister wrote:
Just a question, but you were cleared to ride by your doc 90 days out from surgery?
Oh no, 6 minimum. So I am looking at Sept 8th being my earliest riding. I was just trying to find out some answers as I have a check-up with the Dr here in about a week. Shit I can just start to run again and even that's really slow going at this point.
gharmon
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gharmon 6/18/2012 2:14am
6/18/2012 2:14am
WhipMeister wrote:
Just a question, but you were cleared to ride by your doc 90 days out from surgery?
gharmon wrote:
Oh no, 6 minimum. So I am looking at Sept 8th being my earliest riding. I was just trying to find out some answers as I...
Oh no, 6 minimum. So I am looking at Sept 8th being my earliest riding. I was just trying to find out some answers as I have a check-up with the Dr here in about a week. Shit I can just start to run again and even that's really slow going at this point.
I even thought of giving my self to the oct 29th aniversary but mainly because I used up my 12 weeks of FMLA that you are allowed in a year (3 weeks when I tore it and 9 weeks after the surgery). I'm just trying to get ready as I sure as hell can't go thru that shit again. It was rough on an old man (41).
FlickitFlat 6/18/2012 3:49am
6/18/2012 3:49am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2012 3:51am
goonslurkin316 wrote:
I'm in the same boat man, I went to the doctor and showed him some CTI stuff, but he insisted on giving me a donjoy brace...
I'm in the same boat man, I went to the doctor and showed him some CTI stuff, but he insisted on giving me a donjoy brace that's something a football player would wear. The thing still hyper extends.
They try that everytime. You have to stick to your guns and specify CTI custom fit. I went through the same thing and was told I was crazy for choosing CTI. But it wasn't the Dr. giving me the hassle it was the brace guy for Physical Therapy. My guy was a real smart ass and said.. I guess so and so as he named a bunch of football stars are stupid. I told him they were if they were going to try and wear that piece of shit on a Motocross bike and name dropped a shit load of motocrossers. LOL. Come to find out. I don't know if he got a higher commision or a kick back or what, but the fact of the matter was that he didn't know how to do the measurements for it. With Donjoy, I just have to do this and that ect. CTI requires many more measurements. That should give you an idea of why you should have one. He ended up putting my leg in a cast, cutting it off and sending it to CTI to make a mold to get the measurements. In an off beat way, that smart ass got me the best fitting brace I have ever had.
dl117
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dl117 6/18/2012 4:40am
6/18/2012 4:40am
Donjoy is the parent company of CTi. I requested the CTi after my surgury and had donjoy send me 2 catologs to show the doctor and gave him one to keep so he could perscibe them more often, it worked and I got 1 custom brace free of charge.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 6/18/2012 4:52am
6/18/2012 4:52am
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
gharmon
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gharmon 6/18/2012 4:55am
6/18/2012 4:55am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically...
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
Did you have it repaired or just been living without it?
dl117
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dl117 6/18/2012 5:02am
6/18/2012 5:02am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically...
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
I made the mistake of not asking for the 2nd one..........which on my part was very stupid. I had my knee repaired in 07 and am starting to feel like yours is, I also occationally race BMX to and at 38 years old I dont bounce back as fast as before.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 6/18/2012 5:27am
6/18/2012 5:27am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically...
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
gharmon wrote:
Did you have it repaired or just been living without it?
Had it repaired... hamstring graft. Seemed like it took longer for the hamstring to get back to normal than anything. I ruled out the patella graft because of all I found in researching that indicated one would have issues with pateller pain later. Cadaver was another option... just kinda creepy I guess, so I opted not to go that route. If I do it again though, good chance I would go cadaver.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 6/18/2012 5:30am
6/18/2012 5:30am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically...
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
dl117 wrote:
I made the mistake of not asking for the 2nd one..........which on my part was very stupid. I had my knee repaired in 07 and am...
I made the mistake of not asking for the 2nd one..........which on my part was very stupid. I had my knee repaired in 07 and am starting to feel like yours is, I also occationally race BMX to and at 38 years old I dont bounce back as fast as before.
Yup... about to turn 43. It's crazy, I'm pretty active, work out at least 4 times a week, riding, play soccer on occassion, some running, yard work, etc... and the only time, right now anyway, it bothers me is climbing stairs. From what I've been able to find, it's a good indication something is not right... LOL! I'd rather catch it early and hopefully avoid any major procedures... we'll see...
Scott167
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Scott167 6/18/2012 6:20am
6/18/2012 6:20am
I don't know how much I can weigh in because we have two totally different healthcare systems but I got doctor prescribed ctv 2s and haven't looked back. I wouldn't go with anything else expect perhaps donjoys.
Paul333
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Paul333 6/18/2012 6:49am
6/18/2012 6:49am
Great thread, at least for the replies that stayed on topic.

I've heard of getting knee braces prescribed to off set the costs but never tried it. Now I am seriously considering it.
cjmx
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cjmx 6/18/2012 7:06am
6/18/2012 7:06am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Had it repaired... hamstring graft. Seemed like it took longer for the hamstring to get back to normal than anything. I ruled out the patella graft...
Had it repaired... hamstring graft. Seemed like it took longer for the hamstring to get back to normal than anything. I ruled out the patella graft because of all I found in researching that indicated one would have issues with pateller pain later. Cadaver was another option... just kinda creepy I guess, so I opted not to go that route. If I do it again though, good chance I would go cadaver.
Same here, my acl I had repaired in 2003 is fine. However, my hamstring is still a lot weaker than my good knee. Cadaver would be my first choice these days.

I was prescribed DonJoy's and have had no issues with them.
pchak
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pchak 6/18/2012 7:11am
6/18/2012 7:11am
Has anyone had any luck with Blue Cross paying for braces?
TeamGrnRacer99 6/18/2012 7:11am
6/18/2012 7:11am
i had my ACL replaced in 2008 got a script for a CTi . it sux. always loosens up and i've tweaked my knee several times wearing it. after my 3rd knee surgery my new Doc gave me a script for a Don Joy. i love it. usually stays tight and i've never felt a tweak at all when my foot hits the ground. plus it covers alot more of your knee for roost protection.

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dl117
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dl117 6/18/2012 8:39am
6/18/2012 8:39am
pchak wrote:
Has anyone had any luck with Blue Cross paying for braces?
mine was paid for by Blue Cross, I was shocked when I seen the billing statement.....it was over $1700 with the fitment appointment and the brace and extra parts and such. Blue Cross paid 100% i owed nothing.
munsch121
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munsch121 6/18/2012 8:44am
6/18/2012 8:44am
gharmon wrote:
I have heard several people mention on here, over several years, about getting knee braces prescribed and then having insurance pay for most of them. What...
I have heard several people mention on here, over several years, about getting knee braces prescribed and then having insurance pay for most of them. What brands have to be prescribed and do I need to do anything to have my Dr. write me a prescription?

The reason I ask is that I tore my left ACL on Oct 29th 2011. I then had it repaired March 8th 2012. I stuck my foot out in a corner and the ass in slid out just a little resulted in my foot getting twisted thus tearing my ACL. I sure as hell don't want to go thru this shit again. Those CTI's and shit are expensive so if I can get insurance to foot some of the bill it would be nice.

Thanks for any info.
I had the one for my previously injured knee covered, a brace for the uninjured knee was NOT covered. It Hasn't matter much because I have never worn a brace on either knee while riding my quad or bike, I hate them.
yzmatt
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yzmatt 6/18/2012 10:46am
6/18/2012 10:46am
I paid $50 total for 2 CTI's thanks to my insurance companies (at the time don't recall which one it was) policy on preventing joint injuries. It costs them much less to buy braces than to replace ACL's....

In fact, I think I'll find out if my current insurance has this policy, my old set it getting clapped out and they aren't cheap to have refurbished.
BlueThumper
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BlueThumper 6/18/2012 11:24am
6/18/2012 11:24am
Had knee surgery Jan. 18, 2012 and hope to take my first ride back next weekend. Doctor prescribed a knee brace for riding and I paid $100; insurance paid the rest. This is the brace I received. It also has a MX specific knee guard that can be added/removed so the brace can be used for other sports. CTi brace.

gharmon
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gharmon 6/18/2012 12:51pm
6/18/2012 12:51pm
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically...
Yep, my Dr. Prescribed and insurance paid for my custom fit CTi2's... There was never any debate over it being a pair (both legs). He basically said its preventative medicine... Why would you protect one knee over the other?

My ACL rupture was back in '06. The knee has been great since... However just recently I'm getting a lot of popping and pain when walking up stairs. No other time, just taking single steps up stairs. If I skip a step and engage my quad more, no problem... And riding isn't a problem... I guess it's time to go in and see what's going on... When I do, I plan to see if he will re-prescribe the CTi2's... Mine are getting pretty ragged. :-)
gharmon wrote:
Did you have it repaired or just been living without it?
MickeyMeanie wrote:
Had it repaired... hamstring graft. Seemed like it took longer for the hamstring to get back to normal than anything. I ruled out the patella graft...
Had it repaired... hamstring graft. Seemed like it took longer for the hamstring to get back to normal than anything. I ruled out the patella graft because of all I found in researching that indicated one would have issues with pateller pain later. Cadaver was another option... just kinda creepy I guess, so I opted not to go that route. If I do it again though, good chance I would go cadaver.
I went with the cadaver myself. He told me that it would be the quickest to heal and at my age (41) a good option.. That's why I chose it. He said I would be back to work in a month. Hell I was still on two crutches at the one month.

Every bit of pain I have now is in the patellor tendon area.
WhipMeister
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WhipMeister 6/18/2012 4:05pm
6/18/2012 4:05pm
I had the patellar graft about 15 years ago. I was cleared about 110 days, but i kept it real for a couple of months more. Cti was what I asked for and, after a little haggling, got my way. That knee is spectacularly strong. I tore the other a couple of years ago anD have not had surgery yet, but will probably do the cadaver, which is a much long slower recovery. And my doc is very, very good.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 6/18/2012 4:50pm
6/18/2012 4:50pm
BlueThumper wrote:
Had knee surgery Jan. 18, 2012 and hope to take my first ride back next weekend. Doctor prescribed a knee brace for riding and I paid...
Had knee surgery Jan. 18, 2012 and hope to take my first ride back next weekend. Doctor prescribed a knee brace for riding and I paid $100; insurance paid the rest. This is the brace I received. It also has a MX specific knee guard that can be added/removed so the brace can be used for other sports. CTi brace.

Dang, is that a new version of the cti2? I'm liking that! Appears less bulky than what I have currently.
enketchum
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enketchum 6/18/2012 5:50pm
6/18/2012 5:50pm
good thread
motosickness 6/18/2012 8:03pm
6/18/2012 8:03pm
It still amazes me that so many people in this sport have not heard of Dr. Mark Sanders! He will repair your torn ACL using the patela method and have you back on your bike in 90 day's with his blessing. He replaced both of my ACL'S at the same time and I rode 4 months later and have been riding twice a week for the last two years since!

Check out the Sander's clinic I think the website is sandersclinic.com or just google it. There are plenty of u-tube vid's of his patients results. Most people see them and say it's bullshit but it's not. Dr. Mark has been replacing ACL'S for 30 years.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 6/19/2012 5:56am
6/19/2012 5:56am
motosickness wrote:
It still amazes me that so many people in this sport have not heard of Dr. Mark Sanders! He will repair your torn ACL using the...
It still amazes me that so many people in this sport have not heard of Dr. Mark Sanders! He will repair your torn ACL using the patela method and have you back on your bike in 90 day's with his blessing. He replaced both of my ACL'S at the same time and I rode 4 months later and have been riding twice a week for the last two years since!

Check out the Sander's clinic I think the website is sandersclinic.com or just google it. There are plenty of u-tube vid's of his patients results. Most people see them and say it's bullshit but it's not. Dr. Mark has been replacing ACL'S for 30 years.
I actually corresponded with Dr. Sanders when I was looking to have my ACL reconcstruction. Would have loved to have him do the surgery, but it was not practical for me at the time.

Unless you are located near his clinic, it's tough to work out the logistics of traveling to another city and having this kind of surgery and the required therapy. Generally insurance isn't going to cover the additional expenses, especially if there are alternative choices located near you.
motosickness 6/19/2012 7:11am
6/19/2012 7:11am
motosickness wrote:
It still amazes me that so many people in this sport have not heard of Dr. Mark Sanders! He will repair your torn ACL using the...
It still amazes me that so many people in this sport have not heard of Dr. Mark Sanders! He will repair your torn ACL using the patela method and have you back on your bike in 90 day's with his blessing. He replaced both of my ACL'S at the same time and I rode 4 months later and have been riding twice a week for the last two years since!

Check out the Sander's clinic I think the website is sandersclinic.com or just google it. There are plenty of u-tube vid's of his patients results. Most people see them and say it's bullshit but it's not. Dr. Mark has been replacing ACL'S for 30 years.
MickeyMeanie wrote:
I actually corresponded with Dr. Sanders when I was looking to have my ACL reconcstruction. Would have loved to have him do the surgery, but it...
I actually corresponded with Dr. Sanders when I was looking to have my ACL reconcstruction. Would have loved to have him do the surgery, but it was not practical for me at the time.

Unless you are located near his clinic, it's tough to work out the logistics of traveling to another city and having this kind of surgery and the required therapy. Generally insurance isn't going to cover the additional expenses, especially if there are alternative choices located near you.
This is all true, but I drove from FL walked out of the hospital on my own power after surgery and was driving back to FL less then one week later. I was back working by the end of the second week! So i guess it's all relative, to me the xtra cost of travel far out wieghed by the much quicker recovery. I could see how the travel aspect would be a deal breaker for some.
hoopmx
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hoopmx 6/19/2012 9:20am
6/19/2012 9:20am
Has anyone tried getting a prescription for braces before having a knee injury as opposed to after you've had surgery?

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