Bracemd Blog 5 Tips for Adjusting to Playing while Wearing a Knee Brace

On February 10, 2015, the Detroit Tigers' trainer, Kevin Rand stated that the team's designated hitter, Victor Martinez, recovering from surgery for a medial meniscus tear, may have to be prepared to wear a knee brace for the rest of his career.Because knee injury is an unfortunately common risk to athletes and to performers dedicated to a physical craft, this need for significant adjustment affects many people, both professionals and amateurs, every year.Knee braces are often easy to spot if you look for them while watching most professional sports games. You'll note various lengths and types, which are prescribed depending on the type of injury. Some players need them only temporarily, while others, like Martinez, may face wearing them for much longer. In both temporary or long term cases, it is still a challenge for the injured to get used to performing with the brace and to try to regain their previous level of skill.Some things new brace wearers can do to get used to playing with or performing with a knee brace:Modify routinesWork with your physical therapist to understand what you can still do, and what you cannot do yet, at this stage of recovery. In this video from theislandpacket.com, a young dancer chronicles her approach to working with her physical therapist to modify a dance routine following an ACL injury, so that she could still compete in a beauty pageant (she placed 3 rd out of 53 in the talent competition, brace and all).Make sure the knee brace is of high quality, properly fitted and that you are trained on how to adjust the brace yourself when necessaryAs discussed on lermagazine.com , knee braces are sometimes subject to migration, usually downward, due to gravity, slight daily changes in thigh circumference and sweat/ water loss. Knowing how to adjust the brace themselves enables the athlete or performer to ensure the proper and most comfortable fit.Know what to expect and what to watch out forSometimes, knowing the facts about what you're up against can do wonders to relieve anxiety. Talk with your physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon and let them help you understand how to distinguish the difference between the initial discomfort of adjusting to the weight and feel of a new brace and that of pain which may signal aggravation of the injury. Be mentally prepared to make the adjustment, have a positive attitudeIt's normal to feel frustrated if you can't move as quickly or as nimbly as before. Be aware that it will take some time and practice to get accustomed to the brace, and more time to regain your former level of skill as you recover. This 2013 video quote by Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin III via csnwashington.com illustrates his journey from concern to acceptance to comfort, when he was prescribed a knee brace for the entire 2013 football season following a torn ACL in January of that year. Give yourself time to heal.Robert Griffin III wore a knee brace and struggled through a year of reportedly mediocre performance as he played while recovering that 2013 season, which was no doubt frustrating, but by 2014, his performance was stronger and he was recently named starting Quarterback for the Redskins in February 2015.For the Tiger's Victor Martinez, his trainer has designed a structured, steady rehab plan with a timetable that may allow Martinez to play for the team while wearing his knee brace as soon as the beginning of this coming season, but his plan is flexible enough to be extended if his injury requires more time and therapy to heal.It's important for injured athletes and performers to work closely with their healthcare teams, to manage expectations and plans for recovery and rehabilitation, and, if they allow their rehab plan and the support of a knee brace to help them heal, they may be able to achieve, or even surpass, their pre-injury skill level.The above article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you or your child suffer and injury with symptoms similar to those mentioned above, please seek appropriate professional medical diagnosis and treatment.