Breg Fusion OA Plus Osteoarthritis Knee Brace

Breg OA Plus Osteoarthritis Knee Brace Features

• AirTech frame pads: Innovative windows and channels in the pad permit cooling air flow while allowing moisture and heat to move away from the skin
• Low profile brace provides pain relief, combined with suspension and comfort
• Proform technology provides a contoured fit and superior protection
• Convenient thumbwheel dial hinge makes adjusting the level of off-loading easy
• Fusion OA Plus provides medial/lateral, anterior/posterior stabilization and support
• Prefabricated
• Indicated for:
  - Unicompartmental OA-medial
  - Chondral defect procedures
  - Meniscal procedures
• Instructions For Use

What to Buy with Fusion OA Plus Knee Brace?

Apply Brace to Leg:

• Unfasten all 6 straps and fold the hook/loop tabs back against the straps. Sit with the knee bent at a 30° angle. With the brace fully extended slide it onto the leg.
• Position the brace so that the center of the hinges align with the top of the patella.
• Notice:
  - That the hinges may be positioned behind the bent knee, this is normal. As each strap is fastened, the hinges will move forward, until the brace is properly positioned on the leg.
• With the brace on the leg, press the rigid shin cuff on the front of the brace flat against the leg and fasten strap 1 behind the calf. Next, fasten strap 2 in the back above the knee.
• Be sure that the rigid thigh cuff on the front of the brace is pressed flat against the leg and fasten strap 3, behind the hamstring. Next, fasten strap 4 in the front below the knee.
• Note:
  - Take care to not tighten strap 4 too tightly, doing so will position the hinges too far forward. The proper hinge location is posterior of the knee centerline. Then fasten strap 5 in the back below the knee. Be sure to fasten all of the straps in the proper order.
• Stand to fasten strap 6 in front above the knee.
• Tighten the straps snugly, but comfortably. After 15 minutes of activity, sit with the knee bent at a 30° angle.
• Loosen and then retighten each strap, one at a time, in the proper order (this is necessary due to tissue swelling and compression).
• During this process, be sure the brace hinges align with the top of the patella.
• The improper strapping technique could result in discomfort. If you feel pressure on the thigh or shin, stand up straight and loosen the straps slightly.
• Press the rigid cuffs flat against the front of the thigh and shin, then retighten all the straps.
• For PCL specific applications follow the strapping order.
• Stand while tightening strap 2, then sit to finish the PCL specific strapping sequence.
• To remove the brace, simply loosen straps 4 and 6 (ACL version) or straps 5 and 2 (PCL version). Then, unfasten, and remove all the straps behind the knee and remove the brace.
• Fold the hook/loop tabs back against the straps. This will make it easier to re-apply the brace and allow the hinges to be placed in the proper posterior position.
   

Osteoarthritis (OA) Hinge Instructions:

• With the brace properly applied and retightened, OA symptoms can be relieved by applying a lateral force to the outside of the knee by turning the circular dial (in the hinge) clockwise.
• With the knee bent in either a seated or standing position, you can easily turn the circular dial to move the condyle pad inward (toward knee).
• The window on the top edge of the hinge will display settings ranging from 0 to 10 in 0.5mm increments, the higher the number the greater the lateral force being applied.
• To reduce the lateral force, turn the dial counterclockwise to a lower setting.
• Make sure the large gel condyle pad is attached to the lateral (outside) condyle basket.
   

Care And Cleaning:

• Straps must be removed and cleaned regularly depending upon your activity level and perspiration.
• Hand wash straps and frame pads in cold water with mild detergent, rinse, air dry.
• Occasionally apply a dry lubricant to hinge especially after use in water.
• The frame pads are held in place by hook/loop fasteners.
• Carefully pull the pads off the brace frame. To replace the pads be sure that they are positioned properly and firmly push them onto their hook/loop fasteners.
• The knee hinge condyle pads are held in place by hook/loop fasteners.
• Simply pull the pads off the hinge plates.
• To replace the pads be sure that they are positioned properly and firmly push them onto their hook/loop fasteners.
• To remove the brace straps first remove the strap pads on the inside of each strap.
• Then loosen the hook/loop tabs at each strap end and feed the straps through the anchor points on the side of the brace until the strap is free.
• Be sure to replace the straps and strap pads according to their strap number locations.