If you’ve torn your ACL and you’re looking for proper bracing in Calgary, the options can be confusing: sports medicine clinics, orthotic shops, big-box stores, and physiotherapy clinics all offer some version of “knee bracing.” Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing where to get fitted.
Bracing should be part of your recovery plan, not a separate errand
The biggest mistake we see is athletes treating bracing as a standalone purchase, disconnected from their actual rehab. A brace picked without understanding your knee’s stability, your surgical history (or lack of one), and your sport is a guess. At Action Sports Clinic, bracing is assessed alongside your physiotherapy and recovery plan, not sold as a separate product off a shelf.
What a proper ACL bracing assessment includes
A real assessment looks at how your knee actually behaves under load, not just whether you’ve had surgery. We check stability, range of motion, and how your knee responds to the specific demands of your sport, then match that to the right brace, whether that’s a custom CTi for high-impact sports like skiing or motocross, or a lighter functional brace for lower-demand return-to-activity.
Custom vs. off-the-shelf in Calgary
Custom braces start with your own measurements, taken in person at our clinic. We place the order with the manufacturer, and your brace is built to those exact specifications and shipped to us, so it fits precisely under sport-specific gear and doesn’t migrate during activity. Off-the-shelf braces can be a reasonable starting point for lower-demand return to activity, and we’ll tell you honestly when that’s enough rather than upselling a custom brace you don’t need. We also carry off-the-shelf options in store for same-day fitting, and run a full online brace shop at actionbracing.ca if you’d rather have one shipped directly to you.
Insurance and reimbursement
Most extended health plans in Alberta offer some coverage for custom knee bracing, and coverage amounts vary by provider. Braces are medical products, so we don’t direct bill for them. We provide the documentation and invoices you need to submit to your extended health insurance company for reimbursement, and we can help you check your coverage before your fitting appointment. Some insurance companies require an additional prescription from a family doctor or surgeon, so check the specifics of your policy.
Getting fitted downtown
Action Sports Clinic is located at 639 5th Ave SW in downtown Calgary, in the Plus 15 network. If you’ve had an ACL injury and want a bracing assessment that’s actually built around your specific knee and sport, learn more about our custom bracing services or request an appointment.