Knee bracing at Shepherds' Health
At Shepherds’ Health, we are approved fitting centres for both DonJoy and Össur knee braces.
We assess, supply and professionally fit braces at our clinic, helping you find the right support for your knee and the activities you want to enjoy.
Whether knee pain is making walking difficult, your knee feels unstable after a ligament injury, or you are looking for extra support to prevent injury and improve performance, we can help you understand your options.
From Skiing to everyday life, we have the brace for you.
Two main types of knee brace
The braces we fit fall into two main groups. Unloader braces reduce pressure on an affected part of the knee joint. Stabilising braces support the ligaments and help control unwanted movement.
Choosing between them starts with understanding your symptoms, diagnosis and activity goals.
Unloader braces for knee pain and osteoarthritis
An unloader brace is designed to shift some of the load away from the painful or damaged inner or outer side of the knee. This may help reduce pain and make movement more comfortable when osteoarthritis predominantly affects one side of the joint.
Unloading may also help with degenerative meniscal tears and selected cartilage conditions. The meniscus is the cushioning cartilage within the knee. We assess whether unloading is suitable for your particular problem; it is not the right approach for every tear or type of knee pain.
Össur Unloader One X
The Össur Unloader One X uses a three-point leverage system, combining its frame, a single hinge and two adjustable Dynamic Force System straps to reduce loading on the affected side of the knee. It is designed to help relieve symptoms associated with osteoarthritis affecting one compartment and degenerative meniscal tears.
Its slim frame and soft padding are designed for comfort during everyday activity. We fit and adjust the brace to your leg and explain how to use the straps and unloading settings. An off-the-shelf brace suits many patients; the Unloader One X Custom is an option when a made-to-measure fit is needed.
The off-the-shelf Össur Unloader One X brace also comes with a 30-day trial or refund, so if the brace doesn’t help you, you can return it and get a full refund providing the brace is in a suitable and functioning condition.
Stabilising braces for ligament support
Stabilising knee braces provide external support to help control movements that put stress on the knee ligaments. They are often considered by skiers and people taking part in sports involving turning, pivoting or sudden changes of direction.
A brace may be appropriate if you have an ACL-deficient knee following a previous injury, or after ACL reconstruction when your surgeon or physiotherapist recommends additional support. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, helps control forward movement and rotation of the shin bone relative to the thigh.
For some people, a suitable brace can form part of a plan to reduce the risk of injury or re-injury. Strength, rehabilitation and an appropriate return-to-sport plan remain essential, and wearing a brace does not by itself mean you are ready to return to sport. But we can help you and guide you with all of this to get you ready for a return to sport.
DonJoy Defiance PRO
The DonJoy Defiance PRO is our main custom-made ligament brace. Its lightweight carbon fibre frame is made to your individual leg measurements, giving a close fit tailored to your anatomy.
DonJoy’s Four Points of Leverage system is designed to help control forward movement of the shin bone.
With the FourcePoint hinge option, the brace adds resistance as the knee approaches full straightening, helping reduce strain on the ACL. We advise on the configuration that suits your knee and sport.
DonJoy Armor with FourcePoint hinge
The DonJoy Armor FourcePoint offers an off-the-shelf option with a strong aluminium frame. It combines DonJoy’s Four Points of Leverage system with the FourcePoint hinge to support ligament instability and help control knee extension.
It may be suitable for people with ACL deficiency or following ACL reconstruction, including those seeking additional support for skiing and other demanding activities. We select the correct size and adjust the fit and hinge settings to your needs.
Össur CTi3
The Össur CTi3 is an off-the-shelf stabilising brace with a lightweight carbon composite frame. It is designed to support the knee ligaments while allowing movement during everyday activities and sport.
Its rigid frame, adjustable straps and anatomical fit help provide stability around the knee. Depending on your diagnosis, it may be considered for ACL or other ligament instability. For patients who need a made-to-measure option, Össur also offers the CTi Custom range.
Professional assessment and fitting
A brace needs to match both your knee problem and your leg shape. At Shepherds’ Health, we help you compare the options and fit the brace so that it provides the intended support comfortably.
We will discuss your symptoms, injury or surgery history and activity goals, then assess your knee and take the measurements needed to recommend a brace. If you have both joint pain and ligament instability, we will consider both.
In some instances, you will already know which brace is suitable for you, following Orthopaedic Consultant advice. In these instances, we can get you to measure your knee in advance so we can have the correct brace in stock for your fitting appointment.
We explain how to put the brace on, adjust it and care for it, and how it fits alongside your rehabilitation.
Please bring a pair of shorts to your appointment. If you have relevant scan reports, a consultant’s letter or postoperative instructions, bring those too.
Common questions
Many people can achieve a good fit with a professionally fitted off-the-shelf brace. A custom brace may be recommended if your leg shape or measurements make standard sizing less suitable, or if your clinical or sporting needs call for it. We will explain the options and costs before you decide.
An unloader brace changes how load passes through the knee while you wear it. It may help manage pain and improve your ability to stay active, but it does not repair torn cartilage or reverse osteoarthritis. Although, it can reduce inflammation caused by these conditions, which in turn may reduce symptoms considerably.
DonJoy braces are not covered by private healthcare insurers. Cover for Össur CTi ligament braces is limited, and many insurers do not cover them.
AXA has a specific funding pathway for Össur unloader braces. If you are insured with AXA, contact us to discuss this route and arrange the necessary authorisation before proceeding.
For Össur unloader braces with other insurers, cover depends on your individual policy. Speak directly to your insurer to confirm whether the brace and fitting are covered and what authorisation is required.
Book a knee bracing assessment
Contact Shepherds’ Health to discuss your knee and arrange an assessment. We will help you find a suitable DonJoy or Össur brace and explain the fitting process.
Our clinic is at Unit 1A, Martels Industrial Estate, High Easter Road, Barnston, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NA.