Patella braces are off-the-shelf braces. This means that there are a variety of set sizes, each covering a specific range of dimensions.
If you are right in the middle of the range between sizes this is not much of a problem. Unfortunately, there must always be those who sit right on the boundary between sizes. Although there is often a bit of overlap between sizes, many in the’ in between zone’ often find that neither the bigger nor smaller size fit comfortably.
Larger people are more likely to encounter this problem as they find the top border of the brace uncomfortably tight.
The choices for those in this situation is to either choose a different brand of brace and hope that the sizing chart is of a different dimension, or try a brace that is not based on the standard pull-on design.
To make matters more difficult I know of very few wrap around patella braces and they can be very hard to find.
The one I use to fit “troublesome” people is the original Wrap Around Tru-Pull by Donjoy.
It was the first brace in the Tru-Pull range and subsequent models used the same successful concept but utilized a Pull-on design. This made them more “User friendly” – as long as you were the right size.
Thankfully the original can still be found if you know where to look and its design allows it to fit and size (and both left or right) perfectly everytime.
If it is so good, why doesn’t everyone use one?
The main reason is that it is more difficult to put on. The application is more complicated than the average pull-on patella brace but once you have learnt it, the time to apply the Wrap around Tru-Pull is about the same as any other type of brace.
Who is it good for?
Those in between sizes
Larger People
Those likely to change body shape or size in the future (Diet / Swelling / Muscle Gain or Loss).
How is it applied?
Like all Patella braces, the Tru-Pull is put on with the leg completely straight and the quads relaxed. The buttress on the brace is placed next to the outside border of the patella. The patella is then pushed towards the midline throught the brace and held in this position as the brace is wrapped around the leg to secure it in position. One strap above the knee, one strap below.
The tension can be adjusted easily to provide more or less support.
If you have been having trouble getting a patella brace to fit, see the Original Donjoy Tru-Pull here.
One size fits all – The Original Tru-Pull
