Custom Knee Bracing at Stride
Custom Knee Braces
Custom knee braces at Stride are designed to provide stability, protection, and pain relief for individuals dealing with knee injuries, instability, or degenerative conditions. Using custom measurements of your leg and, if appropriate, 3D scanning technology, we provide braces that are tailored to ensure optimal fit, comfort, and performance.
The knee is one of the most heavily loaded joints in the body and is subject to both repetitive wear and tear as well as major trauma. Whether you’re recovering from ligament injury, managing osteoarthritis (OA), participating in sport, or trying to stay active, the right brace can significantly improve confidence and function. Unlike off-the-shelf braces, custom knee braces are built to match your unique leg shape, joint alignment, and activity demands.
At Stride, we work with three manufacturers of custom braces: OssKin, DonJoy, and Spring Loaded. Each company provides unique bracing options to help us better serve our patients and the different presentations of knee problems they seek care for.
How it Works
The knee is a hinge joint that relies heavily on ligaments, cartilage, surrounding muscles, and proper alignment to function efficiently. When one of these structures is compromised, the joint can become unstable, painful, or overloaded.
A custom knee brace at Stride works by providing external support that complements your body’s internal structures. Here are some of the benefits of a custom knee brace at Stride:
Ligament Stabilization
For individuals with ligament injuries (such as ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL injuries), a brace can help limit unsafe movements that reproduce the initial mechanism of injury. Specially designed hinges and rigid frame components help to guide the knee through range of motion while controlling the loading of the affected ligaments. This added stability helps prevent re-injury and promotes an optimal healing environment,
Joint Offloading/Unloading
In cases of knee osteoarthritis (OA) or meniscus tears, pain often develops because one part of the knee joint is bearing excessive load. Each of our brace suppliers has a unique way to change how weight is distributed through the knee to reduce pain and increase function and stability.
Proprioceptive Feedback
Beyond mechanical support, knee braces also enhance proprioception; your body’s awareness of joint position. The compression and contact of the brace provide sensory input to the nervous system, which can improve muscle activation and joint control.
Load Management During Healing
After surgery or injury, tissues require time to recover. A custom brace can protect healing structures by limiting specific ranges of motion or reducing stress during activities. This allows individuals to remain active while minimizing the risk of re-injury.
Custom Knee Bracing at Stride Can Help With
Custom knee braces can help support the knee, improve stability, and reduce strain during work, sport, and daily activity. They may be helpful for people recovering from injury, managing arthritis, or needing extra support to stay active with more confidence.
Knee Injuries & Instability
- ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL injuries
- Meniscus injuries
- Patellar instability
- Knee instability or “giving way”
- Post-operative knee stabilization
- Recurrent knee swelling with activity
- Muscular or neurological weakness affecting knee control
Pain, Arthritis & Activity Support
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic knee pain during activity
- Return-to-sport support
- High-demand occupational knee stress
- Walking, hiking, or stair-related knee pain
- Support for active lifestyles and recreational activities
- Reducing strain during work, sport, or daily movement
What to Expect
Booking
You can begin the process of Custom Knee Bracing at Stride in one of two ways.
- By booking a discovery call with one of our brace fitters, or
- Through a referral from your treating therapist if they’ve identified that custom bracing would be beneficial for you.
For new patients, we start with a discovery call with one of Stride’s custom brace fitters to help us better understand your problems and determine whether or not a custom brace is appropriate for you. Our discussion includes:
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- A history of your knee issues including the injury details, pain presentation and functional limitations.
- Information about our custom bracing options including cost, prescriptions and insurance coverage and how the brace might help you.
- Booking an in-person fitting appointment if we agree that custom bracing is right for you.
For existing patients, your custom brace journey is likely to begin with a conversation with your therapist including all the major topics of the discovery call mentioned above. We will ensure you are connected with a therapist that fits custom knee braces and get you booked in their schedule.
This evaluation allows us to determine the most appropriate brace type, such as ligament-stabilizing or offloading, and identify any specific design features required to support your knee effectively.
At the time of your custom knee brace fitting, your concerns will be discussed and your leg will be measured using calipers, measuring tape and potentially 3D scanning technology. Once we have collected all of the pertinent information, your order will be submitted to one of our manufacturers that typically complete brace construction in 10-14 business days.
When your custom brace arrives at our clinic, you will receive a call to get you booked in for a second fitting to ensure you have confidence in putting your brace on. At this second fitting, we will also discuss warranty, care instructions and the process to follow if there are any concerns or problems with your brace in the future. At the end of this appointment, you should have everything you need in order to resume your movement and activity journey!
