1. Bring shorts – Having a pair of shorts or a stretchy pants on hand will help the clinician to give you the best possible fit.
2. No lotion – Do not apply lotions or creams. Applying these items on your legs before the appointment may cause excessive slippage.
3. Sports apparel – Bring any sports apparel or equipment that may be used in conjunction with the brace, e.g. ski boots or motocross gear.
4. Paperwork – Bring your insurance or billing paperwork if applicable. This way you will ensure you have all the information needed.

The hinge allows your brace to bend with the knee. For your brace to function properly, the hinge must be lined up with the knee joint.A good guide is to ensure that the center of your patella (kneecap) is in line with center of the hinge.It is typically better to have the hinge too high as opposed to too low.

Maintaining a clean brace will help retain the integrity of the fabric and keep your skin healthy. If your brace comes with a washbag, you can insert it into the supplied washbag. To wash your brace, affix the hook and loop straps securely to the landing area before inserting the entire brace into the supplied washbag. Machine wash in cold water, on delicate cycle with mild detergent or wash by hand. Air dry only. Do not use fabric softener or harsh chemicals such as bleach.

For braces that do not come with a washbag, remove the liners; handwash them; and air dry only.

Do not apply lotions or creams. Applying these items on your legs may cause excessive slippage. It’s best to apply the night before and wash your leg in the morning before wearing your brace.

Formfit Tracker – It’s always good practice to apply your brace to a straight (or slightly bent) knee.  Open the straps and affix hook-and-loop to the dots on the underside of the strap to avoid catching on soft surfaces. Grasp the sides of your brace near the hinge arms and pull on. Align the center of your patella(kneecap) with the center of the hinge. Press the buttress against the side of your kneecap and affix the bottom strap followed by the top strap. The dots on straps indicate the strapping order and should be matched with the coordinating dot on the landing pad. Do not over tighten the straps.

Formfit Flight – Before you apply the brace, fold the top of the brace over to expose the FoldLock™ edge. Use both hands to pull the brace up on a straight (or slightly bent) knee. Center the patterned donning guide over your patella (kneecap). Unfold the FoldLock edge.

Formfit Quest – Before you apply the brace, fold the top of the brace over to expose the FoldLock™ edge. Use both hands to pull the brace up on a straight (or slightly bent) knee. Center the patterned donning guide over your patella (kneecap) with the buttress gently surrounding it. Unfold the FoldLock edge.

Unloader Custom – Bend your knee when tightening the unloader straps with the SmartDosing dials or Ratchet.  The strap at the back of the brace just below your knee should be fastened first and should be the tightest, without impeding circulation. Next, fasten the thigh strap.

Unloader One SD, Unloader One SD Custom, Unloader One Original, Unloader One Original Custom – It’s similar to wearing a Unloader Custom, but fasten the lower buckle (blue dot) first, followed by the top buckle (yellow dot). The straps attached to the lower buckle should be the tightest, without impeding circulation.

Unloader One X OTS and Custom – It’s the same to wearing a Unloader One Custom, Unloader One SD, Unloader One SD Custom, Unloader One Original, Unloader One Original Custom.

Unloader One Lite – Make sure that the SmartDosing™ dial is popped up, the straps are pulled out and the calf strap is unbuckled. Don your brace like a sock and rotate the hinge toward the affected side while pulling the brace up into place using the hinge as a grab handle. Buckle the calf strap and then push down on the SmartDosing dial to increase to the desired tension. It is always good practice to bend your knee while tightening the tension.

CTi OTS, CTi Custom, CTi OA – The strap at the back of the brace just below your knee should be fastened first and should be the tightest, without impeding circulation.  The calf and thigh shell will feel different from each other. It is normal for the thigh shell to feel looser than the calf shell.

Rebound DUAL OTS and Rebound DUAL Custom – The strap at the back of the brace just below your knee should be fastened first and should be the tightest, without impeding circulation.  The calf and thigh shell will feel different from each other. It is normal for the thigh shell to feel looser than the calf shell.

Rebound Cartilage OTS and Rebound Cartilage Custom – Bend your knee when tightening the cartilage protection straps with the Boa® dials. Fasten the lower buckle (blue dot) first, followed by the top buckle (yellow dot). The straps attached to the lower buckle should be the tightest, without impeding circulation.

Paradigm OTS and Paradigm Custom – The hinge must be lined up directly beside your knee. A good guide is to ensure the top of the hinge is in line with the top of your patella (kneecap).

Extreme Custom – Bend your knee when tightening the front diagonal Dynamic Force System (DFS) strap.  The strap at the back of the brace just below your knee should be fastened first and should be the tightest, without impeding circulation. Next, fasten the thigh strap. The calf and thigh shell may feel different from each other. It is normal for the thigh shell to feel looser than the calf shell.

Formfit OA Wraparound – Bend your knee to 80° when tightening the unloader strap.  The tabs are marked with dots to indicate the order in which they should be fastened. The one dot tab (located directly above the knee) should be fastened first, followed by the two dot tab (directly below the knee). Continue fastening the three and four dot tabs. Finish by threading the unloader strap through the D-ring tightening to the desired tension.

Formfit Pro Knee OA – Before you apply your brace, fold the top of the brace over to expose the FoldLock™ edge. Use both hands to pull the brace on a straight (or slightly bent) knee, centering the patterned donning guide over your patella (kneecap). Unfold the FoldLock edge. Then bend your knee while tightening the unloader strap.Tighten the lower unloading strap first to the desired tension. Make sure the strap lays flat without bunching. Then tighten the upper unloading strap.

Formfit Tracker – Remove the strap from the landing pad and affix the hook-and-loop back to underside of the strap, matching dot to dot. This will help keep the hook-and-loop from adhering to the body of the brace. Then slide brace off leg.

Formfit Flight and Quest – Fold the top of the brace over to expose the FoldLock edge.  Use both hands to slide the brace down and off your leg.

Unloader Custom – Release the tension on the diagonal (unloader) strap will make it easier to put the brace back on next time. Bend your knee when tightening the unloader strap when you put the brace back on.  The calf and thigh shell may feel different from each other. It is normal for the thigh shell to feel looser than the calf shell. 

Unloader One SD, Unloader One SD Custom, Unloader One Original, Unloader One Original Custom, Unloader One X OTS and Custom – Release tension on the two SmartDosing dials (or ratchets) will make it easier to put the brace back on next time. You can help release the tension by pulling the fabric portion of the unloader strap away from the SmartDosing dial as you dial it down.  The calf and thigh shell may feel different from each other. It is normal for the thigh shell to feel looser than the calf shell.

Unloader One Lite – Release the tension on the SmartDosing dial by popping it up. Use both hands to pull the straps out. Unbuckle and loosen the calf strap and remove your brace, using the hinge as a grab handle. 

CTi OTS and CTi Custom, Rebound DUAL OTS, Rebound DUAL ST OTS, Rebound DUAL Custom, Rebound DUAL ST Custom – When removing the brace, fasten the hook-and-loop straps back onto themselves to prevent tangling and to extend their life.

Rebound Cartilage OTS and Rebound Cartilage Custom – Releasing tension on the Boa® dials on the cartilage protection straps will make it easier to put the brace back on next time. You can help release the tension by pulling the fabric portion of the strap away from the dial as you dial it down.

Paradigm OTS and Paradigm Custom – Always loosen the strap at the front of your shin when removing the brace. This will allow you to place the hinges securely at either side of your knee the next time you put the brace on. Failure to do so will prevent you from setting the brace position properly.

Extreme Custom – It’s possible that your straps will stretch slightly over time. If your straps feel loose, ensure your hinge is placed correctly and liners are clean. Visit your bracing specialist to have your straps adjusted.

Formfit OA Wraparound – Undo the unloader strap and remove from the d-ring. Release all tabs and remove the brace from your leg.

Formfit Pro Knee OA – Undo the unloader straps and expose the FoldLock edge. Straighten your knee and remove the brace.

Note: it’s possible that your straps will stretch slightly over time. If your straps feel loose, ensure your hinge is placed correctly and liners are clean. Visit your bracing specialist to have your straps adjusted.

Trimming Straps

Your straps may stretch over time. To shorten them, remove the alligator closure at the end of the strap, then use scissors to trim the straps.  Trim in 5mm increments to prevent over-shortening as this will render the brace unusable.

Customizing the Buttress

The buttress can be repositioned and shaped to better accommodate your anatomy. Apply the brace but do not affix the straps. Remove the buttress from the brace, place the gel side of buttress against your patella (kneecap) and then form and hold the buttress into the desired shape. With your opposing hand pull the strapping system tautly over the patella buttress and press against the hook-and-loop on the buttress to secure in place. Affix the straps as described above.

Hinges

Hinges can be removed unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Locate the opening on the hinge pocket, grasp the hinge arm and remove the hinge from the brace.