CTI Custom or POD K8 Knee Braces?

tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke
Coming back after ACL surgery and Insurance (woohoo) is paying for 100% of my braces and I have the option of either the custom CTI's or Pod K8's braces. The POD braces have always served me well, but the idea of getting custom braces is appealing.

How do they compare in terms of fit and durability to one another, has anyone had both? What are the downsides with the CTI's?
|
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7358
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
2361st
CarlinoJoeVideo 1/17/2019 8:35am
1/17/2019 8:35am
I've been running CTI's for maybe 4 years now. They offer a referb program, I send them in every 2 seasons and come back like new. Still fit like a glove.
2
50dippin
Profile picture for user 50dippin
Posts
345
Joined
10/4/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
50dippin 1/17/2019 8:42am
1/17/2019 8:42am Edited Date/Time 1/17/2019 9:25am
I didn't like the pods because there is no depth adjustment, the hinge sits too far forward of my knee joint. Also, I'm not sold on the ligament hinge system. My knee already has ligaments, which tear, that's why I want a knee brace that doesn't allow for that movement. I would just make sure you can try on a pair first, I tried on 3 sizes and couldn't find any that fit my messed up knees.

I also tried on the mobius braces and to me they were the most comfortable, but again I couldn't get them to fit correctly. My knee wouldn't fit into a medium and the tendon back plate wasn't tight enough on the back of my thigh in a large.

I had a cti years ago and it worked great but had limited protection. I think I may try an asterisk next, but none of my dealers carry one so I may just have to order them and see.
1
mxbrian15
Profile picture for user mxbrian15
Posts
533
Joined
12/8/2015
Location
Orlando, FL US
mxbrian15 1/17/2019 9:49am
1/17/2019 9:49am
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
1
ACBraap
Profile picture for user ACBraap
Posts
992
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA US
Fantasy
564th
ACBraap 1/17/2019 10:01am
1/17/2019 10:01am
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
I've been running CTI's for maybe 4 years now. They offer a referb program, I send them in every 2 seasons and come back like new...
I've been running CTI's for maybe 4 years now. They offer a referb program, I send them in every 2 seasons and come back like new. Still fit like a glove.
I have a CTI fitting in about an hour - hoping to like them a lot more than my 10 year old asterisk braces. Good to hear about the refurb program.

The Shop

See All »
coastlinecascot 1/17/2019 12:26pm
1/17/2019 12:26pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in...
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
Do you wear the don joys for moto? Can you get them with a patella cup?
bartziokas123 1/17/2019 2:11pm
1/17/2019 2:11pm Edited Date/Time 1/17/2019 2:13pm
I'm in the same boat as the original poster. I think if your getting 100% coverage you would be silly not to go with custom fitted braces.
2
ob
Profile picture for user ob
Posts
1624
Joined
3/14/2010
Location
Carlsbad, CA US
ob 1/17/2019 2:20pm
1/17/2019 2:20pm
I had Ctis, now have pods. I like the pods better but always carry extra ligaments in your gear bag. I blow those things out all the time.
1
mxbrian15
Profile picture for user mxbrian15
Posts
533
Joined
12/8/2015
Location
Orlando, FL US
mxbrian15 1/17/2019 2:53pm
1/17/2019 2:53pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in...
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
coastlinecascot wrote:
Do you wear the don joys for moto? Can you get them with a patella cup?
Yes and yes.
Orange224
Profile picture for user Orange224
Posts
41
Joined
12/27/2017
Location
Philadelphia, PA US
Orange224 1/17/2019 2:58pm
1/17/2019 2:58pm
I have custom DonJoys (both left and right knees) and absolutely love them as I was previously wearing EVS AXIS knee braces for many years before these. I did not have CTI's as an option from my doctor but I can't complain at all for getting what they offered me and totally happy with the custom DonJoys.

I had purchased the DonJoy patella cups online and they work like a champ without any issues.
1
BoostPastU
Profile picture for user BoostPastU
Posts
22
Joined
6/1/2016
Location
Portland, OR US
BoostPastU 1/17/2019 3:01pm
1/17/2019 3:01pm
tk2stroke wrote:
Coming back after ACL surgery and Insurance (woohoo) is paying for 100% of my braces and I have the option of either the custom CTI's or...
Coming back after ACL surgery and Insurance (woohoo) is paying for 100% of my braces and I have the option of either the custom CTI's or Pod K8's braces. The POD braces have always served me well, but the idea of getting custom braces is appealing.

How do they compare in terms of fit and durability to one another, has anyone had both? What are the downsides with the CTI's?
Definitely get the CTI's. There is a reason why they cost like 5K a piece. The only downside to the CTI's is that they are perfectly molded to your legs, so if you do lose or gain a large amount of weight in you leg area then you may need new ones.
tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke 1/17/2019 4:06pm
1/17/2019 4:06pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in...
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
What are your thoughts on the DJ patella, good protection?
1
tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke 1/17/2019 4:08pm
1/17/2019 4:08pm
BoostPastU wrote:
Definitely get the CTI's. There is a reason why they cost like 5K a piece. The only downside to the CTI's is that they are perfectly...
Definitely get the CTI's. There is a reason why they cost like 5K a piece. The only downside to the CTI's is that they are perfectly molded to your legs, so if you do lose or gain a large amount of weight in you leg area then you may need new ones.
No worries there, the only fluctuation happens above the waist line ;-)
tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke 1/17/2019 4:11pm
1/17/2019 4:11pm
ACBraap wrote:
I have a CTI fitting in about an hour - hoping to like them a lot more than my 10 year old asterisk braces. Good to...
I have a CTI fitting in about an hour - hoping to like them a lot more than my 10 year old asterisk braces. Good to hear about the refurb program.
My 5 year old POD's have been excellent and it's making the decision to go to CTI uncertain. So I go custom CTI, or just stay with what I know with the K8.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the brace when you get them. I hear you can get them in as little as 5 days after the fitting.
ACBraap
Profile picture for user ACBraap
Posts
992
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA US
Fantasy
564th
ACBraap 1/17/2019 4:30pm
1/17/2019 4:30pm Edited Date/Time 1/17/2019 4:31pm
ACBraap wrote:
I have a CTI fitting in about an hour - hoping to like them a lot more than my 10 year old asterisk braces. Good to...
I have a CTI fitting in about an hour - hoping to like them a lot more than my 10 year old asterisk braces. Good to hear about the refurb program.
tk2stroke wrote:
My 5 year old POD's have been excellent and it's making the decision to go to CTI uncertain. So I go custom CTI, or just stay...
My 5 year old POD's have been excellent and it's making the decision to go to CTI uncertain. So I go custom CTI, or just stay with what I know with the K8.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the brace when you get them. I hear you can get them in as little as 5 days after the fitting.
I have them. CTI off the shelf fit, with some adjustment by the fitter, so I had them today. From what they told me (Synergy was the company Ossur sent me to), they require a prescription to get them, but they don't automatically do custom unless the fit of off the shelf doesn't work. He made it sound like there's not a lot of difference with custom, mostly a slightly more slim frame where the upper and lower straps attach. I'm pumped on the braces, but keep in mind I'm comparing to much older asterisk braces. To feel very solid, yet don't hinder movement nearly as much. To me, they allow me to bend my knee more easily. The stop that prevents hyperextension is really solid. There is a noticeable difference in how easily they fit into my boots (great part about having the rep come by - did the fit in my living room and had my boots right there) The advantage of the rep doing fitting was his expertise in how they should fit - big example being I'd have looked at the chart and ordered XL. Instead, I'm in larges with the pads changed out for some slimmer ones. Haven't ridden with them yet of course.

the rep described the custom process just like BoostPastU says. They measure your leg, and then make a model, then make the brace to fit the model. They definitely downplayed the benefits of custom over off the shelf though, which is kind of weird, other than with a high deductible HSA plan I was effectively paying myself since its under the deductible so there wasn't an insurance company to milk.
1
coastlinecascot 1/17/2019 4:30pm
1/17/2019 4:30pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in...
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
coastlinecascot wrote:
Do you wear the don joys for moto? Can you get them with a patella cup?
mxbrian15 wrote:
Yes and yes.
Great, I heard of these. I never thought they would be used in mx. I have meniscus damage in my right inner knee. Its almost gone. I'm using astericks ultra cells and they are in need of replacement.
mxbrian15
Profile picture for user mxbrian15
Posts
533
Joined
12/8/2015
Location
Orlando, FL US
mxbrian15 1/17/2019 7:01pm
1/17/2019 7:01pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in...
I've gone through a ton of knee braces over the years. Currently have custom DonJoys. The Pods are the best off the self knee braces in my opinion.
tk2stroke wrote:
What are your thoughts on the DJ patella, good protection?
It is very protective. It provides knee and shin protection. They only expose portion is between just above the top of the knee and thigh. About 3 inches.
1
mxbrian15
Profile picture for user mxbrian15
Posts
533
Joined
12/8/2015
Location
Orlando, FL US
mxbrian15 1/17/2019 7:03pm
1/17/2019 7:03pm
coastlinecascot wrote:
Do you wear the don joys for moto? Can you get them with a patella cup?
mxbrian15 wrote:
Yes and yes.
coastlinecascot wrote:
Great, I heard of these. I never thought they would be used in mx. I have meniscus damage in my right inner knee. Its almost gone...
Great, I heard of these. I never thought they would be used in mx. I have meniscus damage in my right inner knee. Its almost gone. I'm using astericks ultra cells and they are in need of replacement.
Brett Metcalf and Antonio Cairoli used to be their two main MX athletes. Not sure who else in MX wears them. DonJoy and CTI are definitely the best in the business, POD is the best off the shelf in my opinion. They DonJoys are ridiculously comfortable. There is a reason almost every lineman in football wears them.
2
chuckdavies
Profile picture for user chuckdavies
Posts
1623
Joined
5/6/2009
Location
Coventry GB
chuckdavies 1/18/2019 12:46am
1/18/2019 12:46am
I've had CTI's for the last 10 years and recently switched to the new POD K8 braces. For me the fit is much better and the fastening system is amazing. Really are so so comfy and cannot rate them highly enough. I see no need for custom CTI's for $$$ more money when these are simply this good off-the-shelf.
1

Pit Row

See All »
Baton Rouge 1/18/2019 4:36am
1/18/2019 4:36am
What about the new asterisk Ultra Cell with the boa system ? I've been thinking about getting one of those
tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke 1/18/2019 9:32am
1/18/2019 9:32am
chuckdavies wrote:
I've had CTI's for the last 10 years and recently switched to the new POD K8 braces. For me the fit is much better and the...
I've had CTI's for the last 10 years and recently switched to the new POD K8 braces. For me the fit is much better and the fastening system is amazing. Really are so so comfy and cannot rate them highly enough. I see no need for custom CTI's for $$$ more money when these are simply this good off-the-shelf.
How old were your most recent CTI's?

I'm going to hit up a dealer next week and try the K8's. While a custom fit with CTI sounds great, my legs fit into most standard brace sizing very well. I suppose the benefit of going off the shelf is that if my leg size changes with weight fluctuation, off the shelf K8's will be more accommodating.

If the CTI's are not clearly better braces, I'm leaning towards going back to POD
tk2stroke
Profile picture for user tk2stroke
Posts
263
Joined
6/8/2016
Location
Park City, UT US
tk2stroke 1/18/2019 9:35am
1/18/2019 9:35am
ACBraap wrote:
I have them. CTI off the shelf fit, with some adjustment by the fitter, so I had them today. From what they told me (Synergy was...
I have them. CTI off the shelf fit, with some adjustment by the fitter, so I had them today. From what they told me (Synergy was the company Ossur sent me to), they require a prescription to get them, but they don't automatically do custom unless the fit of off the shelf doesn't work. He made it sound like there's not a lot of difference with custom, mostly a slightly more slim frame where the upper and lower straps attach. I'm pumped on the braces, but keep in mind I'm comparing to much older asterisk braces. To feel very solid, yet don't hinder movement nearly as much. To me, they allow me to bend my knee more easily. The stop that prevents hyperextension is really solid. There is a noticeable difference in how easily they fit into my boots (great part about having the rep come by - did the fit in my living room and had my boots right there) The advantage of the rep doing fitting was his expertise in how they should fit - big example being I'd have looked at the chart and ordered XL. Instead, I'm in larges with the pads changed out for some slimmer ones. Haven't ridden with them yet of course.

the rep described the custom process just like BoostPastU says. They measure your leg, and then make a model, then make the brace to fit the model. They definitely downplayed the benefits of custom over off the shelf though, which is kind of weird, other than with a high deductible HSA plan I was effectively paying myself since its under the deductible so there wasn't an insurance company to milk.
Custom braces for people with odd shape legs probably are of great benefit, but for normal blokes I wonder whether there are any benefits.
ratonmacias
Profile picture for user ratonmacias
Posts
1042
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Guadalajara MX
ratonmacias 10/19/2019 10:11pm
10/19/2019 10:11pm
Can someone post a phone number for the cti refurbish? I own a custom cti brace that desperately needs it. I hace tried the email with no luck.

Post a reply to: CTI Custom or POD K8 Knee Braces?