How to Correctly Fit Your Donjoy Armor Fourcepoint Knee Brace

26 May 2022

Now you've purchased your Donjoy Armor Fourcepoint Knee Brace, you're probably wondering how to correctly and accurately fit your brace. Whilst the Donjoy Fourcepoint Brace is one of the most supportive and premium-quality braces on the market, it can be difficult to find. We've put together this simple, step-by-step guide to take the hassle and stress out of applying your Donjoy Armor Brace.

Step 1: Initial Preparation

A. To start off the application, sit on the edge of your firm surface in a stable position.

B. Ensure that your knee is slightly bent (45°), and your foot is placed flat on the floor (Figure 1).

Before measurement
Fig. 1 Position your leg at the correct angle

Step 2: Brace and Hinge Placement

A. Now that you're seated in the proper position, undo the straps and step through the brace (Figure 2A).

Fig. 2A Step into the brace

B. Holding the brace by the hinges, centre the hinges 1 inch above the top of your knee cap.

C. Then, push the hinges slightly back behind the midline of the knee (Figure 2B).

Move the hinges back 1 inch
Fig. 2B Move the hinges back an inch

Step 3: Anti-Migration Band Placement

A. Secure the anti-migration calf band around the leg with a snug fit. Make sure this band is in full contact with the leg and does not wrap around the outside of the brace (Figure 3). Please note that the anti-migration band is not designed to be threaded through any plastic buckle and should wrap directly around your leg.

Fit the anti-migration band against the skin around your leg
Fig. 3 Fit the anti-migration band

B. Please note that the anti-migration band is connected to both Strap #4 and Strap #5. Neither of these straps should be fastened until later on in the fitting process.

Step 4: Secure Straps #1 and #2

A. Secure the strap #1 (which is the lowest strap on the calf until it has a snug fit (Figure 4A).

Secure strap #1 around the lower calf
Fig. 4A Secure strap #1 around the calf

B. Secure the top thigh strap #2, but not too tightly, as that can cause the brace to slip down your leg (Figure 4B).

Tighten the strap at the top of the thigh (strap #2)
Fig. 4B Tighten strap #2 at the top of the thigh

C. Again, following this step, push the hinges slightly back behind the midline of your knee.

Step 5: Secure Straps #3 and #4

A. Secure the lower thigh strap #3 until you feel a snug fit (Figure 5A).

Tighten Strap 3 for the lower thigh
Fig. 5A Tighten strap #3, the lower of the calf straps

B. Secure upper front calf strap #4 until it is very snug. (Figure 5B). Strap #4 can be found at the front of the anti-migration band and should be threaded through the loops on the band. This step is especially critical for patients with ACL injuries.

Secure strap 4 at the top of the calf
Fig. 5B Tighten strap #4 on the upper shin

Step 6: Securing Strap #5

A. Secure the back calf strap #5, which again is connected to the anti-migration band, until is has a comfortable fit (Figure 6).

Tighten Strap 5 at the back of the calf
Fig. 6 Tighten strap #5 until the brace is comfortable

B. After the initial fitted of this strap, you do not need to undo it. It will work to keep the anti-migration band in place.

Step 7: Check your Fit and Re-Tighten

A. At this point, your brace should fit snugly to your leg. OA patients should feel a slight push on one side of the knee. If you have done this correctly, your brace should now be fully fitted (Figure 7).

The Donjoy Armor Should now be fitted properly
Fig. 7 Your brace should now be fitted properly

Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

If you've followed these instructions and still find that your knee brace doesn't fit as well as it should, here are some extra tips to help you out.

1: Ensure Proper Hinge Placement

A. In a perfectly-fit knee brace, the hinges will be at the midline of your knee. The pads will be making full contact with your leg.

B. If the hinges of your knee brace are too far forward, you should loosen all the straps to allow for adjustment. Then, you can push the hinges back while raising them slightly up. After you've done this, retighten all the straps and re-evaluate your fit.

2: Ensure Proper Alignment

A. On a well-fit knee brace, the hinges should be slightly higher than your knee cap. The pads will be making full contact with your leg.

B. If the brace is too low down your leg, loosen all the straps. Then, raise the hinges up your leg, re-tighten the straps and re-evaluate your fit.

3: Ensure Proper Fit

A. If no mistakes have occurred during the sizing process and your knee brace fits correctly, there will be no major gapping between the brace and your leg. The pads will be making full contact with your leg.

B. If the brace you have selected is too large, you can add extra condyle pads to improve your fit. Alternately, you can call us at Health and Care to discuss a replacement with a more appropriate size.

4: Try Again

Due to the highly technical design of Donjoy Armor braces, they require a more precise fit in order to ensure that you are getting the optimal level of support. This naturally means that the application of the brace may take some getting used to before you can find the perfect fit. If you follow this guide and find that the brace does not fit well, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have purchased the incorrect size. Try fitting your brace another two or three times to ensure that you have a good grasp of the application process.

You can buy our full range of Donjoy Knee Braces today at HealthandCare.co.uk, with free UK delivery on all orders. Have any questions or anything to add? Tell us in the comments below!