Re: Care of ACL brace -- Use of bracing in saltwater and chlorinated water....

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Re: Care of ACL brace -- Use of bracing in saltwater and chlorinated water....

Posted By: Michael Frind
Date: Saturday, 22 March 2008, at 2:13 a.m.

In Response To: care of acl brace (Marycarol)

Dear Mary Carol,
The Townsend Premier is a very good brace. It brings good durability, and comes with a lifetime warranty against structural/mechanical failure. The hinges can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium (since Townsend offers a choice of hinge designs and also a choice of materials). Aluminum can sometimes corrode quite easily (much depends on the specific alloy used), but titanium and stainless steel bring good resistance to corrosion from saltwater and swimming pool disinfectants (chlorine, bromine, ozone, electrolytic salt-based systems, etc.).
I recommend that your son wear his brace in the water without any worries. The reliable protection against sideways forcing and injurious hyperextension provided by functional bracing is very desirable in the context of aquatic activities (especially with a waterslide, diving board, or simply being in a crowded pool).
After your son has finished with the water-based activities, all he needs to do is to rinse off the brace in plain water. It is a good idea to rinse the hinges out reasonably thoroughly. The brace can be worn immediately after rinsing-out, and it will dry on its own. (A warm-air hand dryer can be used too, provided the temperature is no warmer than what is tolerable to skin.)
Lubrication of the hinges is best done with a non-stick dry-type lubricant. I have found that bicycle-chain dry lubricant (as used by mountain bikers) works best. A few drops, carefully placed, is all that is needed. It is best to allow the brace hinges to dry thoroughly before lubricating them. This is especially important with aluminum, given that aluminum can corrode problematically when wet (as owners of aluminum boats and aluminum car wheels can attest). To determine whether the hinges are aluminum or titanium or stainless steel, I suggest calling Townsend directly.
Incidentally, I have worn my two knee braces (titanium hinges with stainless steel hinge pivots) in all sorts of wet conditions: dirty water, salty water, and also chlorinated water. The braces are still in excellent condition, with no evidence of any corrosion at the hinges.
Yours truly,
Michael Frind.
Knee Library http://factotem.org/library

Messages In This Thread

care of acl brace (views: 96) -- Marycarol -- Friday, 21 March 2008, at 11:10 p.m.
- Re: Care of ACL brace -- Use of bracing in saltwater and chlorinated water.... (views: 120) -- Michael Frind -- Saturday, 22 March 2008, at 2:13 a.m.

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Message: > Dear Mary Carol, > The Townsend Premier is a very good brace. It brings good > durability, and comes with a lifetime warranty against > structural/mechanical failure. The hinges can be made of > aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium (since Townsend > offers a choice of hinge designs and also a choice of > materials). Aluminum can sometimes corrode quite easily > (much depends on the specific alloy used), but titanium and > stainless steel bring good resistance to corrosion from > saltwater and swimming pool disinfectants (chlorine, > bromine, ozone, electrolytic salt-based systems, etc.). > I recommend that your son wear his brace in the water > without any worries. The reliable protection against > sideways forcing and injurious hyperextension provided by > functional bracing is very desirable in the context of > aquatic activities (especially with a waterslide, diving > board, or simply being in a crowded pool). > After your son has finished with the water-based > activities, all he needs to do is to rinse off the brace in > plain water. It is a good idea to rinse the hinges out > reasonably thoroughly. The brace can be worn immediately > after rinsing-out, and it will dry on its own. (A warm-air > hand dryer can be used too, provided the temperature is no > warmer than what is tolerable to skin.) > Lubrication of the hinges is best done with a non-stick > dry-type lubricant. I have found that bicycle-chain dry > lubricant (as used by mountain bikers) works best. A few > drops, carefully placed, is all that is needed. It is best > to allow the brace hinges to dry thoroughly before > lubricating them. This is especially important with > aluminum, given that aluminum can corrode problematically > when wet (as owners of aluminum boats and aluminum car > wheels can attest). To determine whether the hinges are > aluminum or titanium or stainless steel, I suggest calling > Townsend directly. > Incidentally, I have worn my two knee braces (titanium > hinges with stainless steel hinge pivots) in all sorts of > wet conditions: dirty water, salty water, and also > chlorinated water. The braces are still in excellent > condition, with no evidence of any corrosion at the hinges. > Yours truly, > Michael Frind. > Knee Library http://factotem.org/library
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