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Re: Donjoy Brace -- A simple strap replacement should cost less than $300....

Posted By: Michael Frind
Date: Thursday, 21 January 2010, at 1:06 a.m.

In Response To: Donjoy Brace (tennisguy)

Dear Tennis,

Which of the straps on your DonJoy brace are worn out? Assuming you have the Defiance (or one of its off-the-shelf siblings, i.e. Legend, 4Titude, Armor), the strap most likely to wear out first would be the one immediately below and behind the knee. As in all hinged dual-upright, rigid-framed knee braces, this strap needs to be tightest in order to reliably anchor the brace on the leg. So, there is a possibility that this particular strap is the only one that really needs to be replaced.

While most knee braces come with convenient (i.e. no tools required) user-replaceable strapping, unfortunately the most wear-prone strap on DonJoy's products requires a special screwdriver (basically a standard slot screwdriver, but with a notch in the middle of the blade; such a screwdriver can easily be made by modifying a standard screwdriver, or you can look for one in a store that specializes in tools; a retaining-clip-installing plier will also serve here) in order to carry out the replacement work. This is so because the wear-prone rear portion of the strap is actually contiguous with the strap that runs around the front of the tibia (and sits just below the kneecap), and there is a screw-clamp arrangement on the medial side. So, this strap's front part determines how far back the hinges sit (i.e. align with the knee in the sagittal plane), and thus should not require adjustment, once correctly set.

All the other straps on the DonJoy braces are easily replaced by the user, and without tools.

DonJoy might be willing to send you replacement straps if you ask them specifically just for replacement straps. Make it clear that you do not want to be without your brace, and that you are perfectly capable of replacing the straps yourself. (Also, make it clear that your brace is otherwise in fine shape, and that you do not wish to disburse $300 for a refurbishment.) But first, check each strap on your brace very carefully. Only the straps on which the Velcro material no longer holds against shearing forces really need replacement.

If you remove all the straps needing replacement, you can measure their lengths. Then, you can easily request the correct replacement straps. Any identifying tags on the straps should also be noted.

Yours truly,
Michael Frind.
Knee Library http://factotem.org/library

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