Best brains: Keeping a knee immobilizer from slipping

[politicat]

I have this on my right leg:

It has three parts, two sides that velcro off and can be repositioned, and one that's supposed to go down the back of the leg. My hospital gave it to me Monday after I broke the ACL on my right knee, and I have to keep this stupid thing on for about another week.

The problem I have is that it slips down my leg, and after a few steps with crutches, I've got a far-too-big brace around my ankle, no matter how much I Scarlett O'Hara the velcro straps. The Orthopedic nurse at my ortho's office didn't have any ideas other than adjusting it (which I have done many, many times now.)

Any ideas how to keep this thing in place without killing my circulation?

[RC]

1. Maybe one of those things women used to use to

keep their hose up before pantyhose was invented?

[politicat]

2. Garters?

I don't think my garter belt is sturdy enough to latch on to this thing.... I looked at it earlier and put it away. This is thick, and the clip on a garter belt is meant for thin fabric. I'm getting desperate enough to make one, though....

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I also tore my ACL in half. Serious pain. My sincere symptathy to you.

Would the brace stay put if you first wrapped your knee with an Ace bandage?

What are you going to do? Surgery? Physical therapy?

[politicat]

5. Got an Ace on under it; doesn't help either way.

Have talked to Primary care Physician; referral to orthopedist should arrive today, so I should be able to make the appointment with him for early next week. MRI late next week; then we'll see.

The sad thing is that this is my second ACL tear in a year - both complete tears (as far as I can tell; the pain from this one is the same as the pain from the other, which was a complete tear.) So I have to have surgery on both - we did PT on the first knee for a year, but it did little good, so I don't think we'll do that on this one.

It is the worst pain I have ever experienced. I never want to go through this again.

[Spinzonner]

4. Might ask the nurse for local seller or distributor name/phone

and ask them for instructions.

Also, check if the manufactuer has a web site with additional info or just google the product name/manufactuer (may have to get it from the doctor).

[kick-ass-bob]

6. You don't really.

The one on the thigh needs to be as tight as possible without turning your leg blue.

Do you have to sleep with it too?

That was a pain.

[radwriter0555]

7. Go to the pharmacy and get a better quality one. They're about $30 or

so, the doc issued ones SUCK and are utterly pointless.