A custom knee brace only works as well as its fit. Unlike an off-the-shelf brace pulled from a size chart, a custom brace is built around the actual shape of your leg, which means the fitting process matters as much as the brace itself. Here’s what that process actually looks like at Action Sports Clinic.
Step 1: Assessment
Before any measuring happens, we assess your knee itself: the injury, how the joint is currently moving, its stability under load, and what sport or activity you’re bracing for. This determines whether you need a custom brace at all, or whether an off-the-shelf option would serve you just as well. We’re not going to fit you for a brace you don’t need.
Step 2: Measurement
For a truly custom brace, we take detailed measurements of your leg in house, capturing the specific contours of your knee, thigh, and calf. This is what allows the finished brace to sit exactly where it needs to, instead of relying on a generic size range that approximates your shape.
Step 3: Brand and model selection
Based on your assessment, we recommend a specific brace model, whether that’s a CTi for high-impact sports like motocross and skiing, or a different functional brace better suited to your activity and injury. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation; it’s matched to what your knee and your sport actually need.
Step 4: Manufacturing
Your measurements are sent to the manufacturer, who builds the brace to your specific dimensions and ships it to our clinic. Turnaround time varies by brace and manufacturer, and we’ll give you a realistic timeline when you order.
Step 5: Delivery and fine-tuning
When your brace arrives, we don’t just hand it over. We check the fit in person, adjust straps and hinges, and make sure it moves with your knee the way it’s supposed to under real conditions, not just standing still in the clinic. If something’s off, we adjust it on the spot rather than sending you home with a brace that doesn’t sit right.
Step 6: Follow-up
As you return to activity, we check back in to make sure the brace is still performing the way it should, especially if your knee’s stability or your activity level changes over time.
A fully custom brace isn’t the only option, either. We carry off-the-shelf braces 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.
Considering a custom knee brace? Learn more about our custom bracing services or request a fitting assessment at our downtown Calgary clinic.