DonJoy pioneered the concept of functional knee bracing over 30 years ago. They have led the progression of performance ever since by studying the body, listening to athletes, consulting physicians and pushing the envelope of innovation. Today, DonJoy braces are standard equipment for competitors in over 44 countries.
The ARMOR represents DonJoy’s strongest patient-ready knee ligament brace and is ideally suited for extreme and contact sports. The 1/8″ 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum frame of the DonJoy Armor provides maximum strength and stability in high impact and high contact activity.
Like any brace, there are advantages and disadvantages to wearing the DonJoy Armor that should be reviewed when comparing it with the new FULLFORCE knee brace.
The advantage of the Armor of course is the rigid frame and stability factor of the brace. Many athletes with severe instability of the knee utilize the DonJoy Armor for the most extreme sports. The Armor is also used as a protective brace and preventative support, when the athlete requires maximum stability and rigidity.
The price to pay for this rigidity and support is a heavier and thicker frame that may not be suitable for certain sports such as tennis, golf and running. The brace will also have a tendency to slip down with prolonged use. The addition of the FourcePoint Hinge adds additional bulk and a higher profile brace.
The New FULLFORCE design combines the two clinically-proven DonJoy technologies in one brilliantly performing brace. The 4-Points-of-Leverage System provides ligament stability and significantly reduces ACL strain. DonJoy’s upgraded FourcePoint hinge dampens knee joint extension, which increases flexion angles and reduces anterior shear forces on the tibia.
The result – less strain on the ACL and a considerable decrease in the chance of injury. Together, these two technologies add up to ironclad confidence.
Created for all activity levels, FULLFORCE’s sleek, low profile and exceptionally light weight have made it the go-to prefabricated brace for competitive and recreational athletes of all kinds.
An Anti-Migration band on the FULLFORCE anchors on the upper calf to prevent slippage. The swooping Thigh Cuff for inner thigh clearance is ideal for bilateral brace use. The FULLFORCE is essentially the donjoy 4-Titude with the new LoPro FourcePoint™ hinges, that do not stick out as much as the traditional FourcePoint hinges. Like the Armor Extreme, it is available in a short calf version for ski boot clearance.
If your sport or knee condition requires the most rigid support for maximum stability, the DonJoy Armor Extreme is still the benchmark knee brace.
If you are looking for a lower profile and lighter weight brace, the New FULLFOURCE should be of more consideration. Not as rigid as the Armor, the FULLFORCE still provides substantial support for most knee conditions, including acl, menisucs and collateral ligament instabilities. The FULLFOURCE is more comfortable to wear, and contours better around the thigh and calf. The FourcePoint hinge is indicated for acl instability, especially in repetitive kicking sports such as martial arts and soccer.
It is always recommended to consult with your treating doctor to determine the correct brace for your orthopedic condition. The content of this article is not intended to diagnose, treat any health problem or recommend any brace.
