After a long wait, I am now wearing my new Bionicare knee brace.
This brace is supposed to help me delay a total knee replacement for a couple of years. But it's not really the brace that is to do this... it is the electrical stimulus device that is supposed to do it. This device gives electrical impulses through two electrodes that is worn under the brace. Up to 12 volts of DC current is run through wires attached to the electrodes. Given enough "wear time" it is touted to help make knees with osteoarthritis cope with pain much better. We will see....
The brace is very expensive (approximately $2200), and there's an added cost of replacing the electrodes every 7-10 days. I think it would have been more upfront of the company selling the device to disclose the fact that there would be an added expense of buying new electrodes so often. While the initial cost of the brace is hard enough to deal with, adding in about $100 every month isn't something I was prepared to do. Of course now that I have it on, what choice do I have? I need to keep this brace on for at least 8 hours per day and rack up about 1750 total hours of wear-time with the electrodes. After that, I should be able to eliminate the use of the electrodes and electrical stimulus system which is the heart of this device.
If this brace does what it claims... delay a total knee replacement surgery for up to 3 to 4 years, then the cost would be worth it. My commitment to teaching at Balanced Exposure takes priority at this point, so I have to delay any surgery. Perhaps in a few years, I can take some time off and get the knee replacement surgery for my left knee. Of course, my right knee is just slightly better, but it's got issues as well. Who knows when that knee will also develop enough problems to have to do all this again!
See the comments section for updates on how I'm doing with this brace system.
(Image borrowed from the Bionicare website.)
27 comments:
Well, it's a good thing you a got a knee brace that can help your knee recover for quite a bit. It's amazing that it uses electric impulses for therapeutic purposes.
How's it working for you now?
I haven't had it on for a while now. The electrodes gave me a horrible rash and so I had taken myself off the system until that went away. Now that it's gone, I just haven't put it back on yet.
I was given new electrodes that should be more hypo-allergenic, but I've yet to use them. I will soon.
I think the problem is that when wearing the electrodes during the day and moving around, you tend to sweat under the wrap that is used to hold the electrodes in place. That just makes it worse for the rash. Going forward, I will most likely only wear it at night when I sleep and then take it off after waking up. This should minimize the problem with the rash.
Thanks for asking.
It is now February. What has been your experience with the brace so far?
I'm still not using it! Since the rash, I took it off and never used it again. I plan to do it soon though as I'm feeling a little more issues are coming back now, but at this point, I'm at the same place as before... not using the product.
I plan to only use the electrical portion however. The brace is only needed if a lot of walking or strenuous exercise is going to happen and I don't have anything like that going on for me.
My current pain level is very low right now. It has been that way even before starting the Bionicare treatment. So I really can't say that using this has helped or hurt me in any way. Perhaps if my pain was the way it was just prior to receiving the product, I could attribute the Bionicare to being the reason I don't hurt as much now. But I can't honestly say that.
The way I look at it, if it doesn't hurt, that's good enough for me. Having used the Bionicare system, the only negative thing I've had so far is the rash.
2-23-12: I tried the Bionicare last night with the new electrodes that was supposed to be more hypo-allergenic... No Luck! After just one night, it's just as bad for giving me a rash. So essentially, this knee system is a total bust for me. I don't wear the brace (no need really at this point) and I don't wear the electrical system because I can't wear it without getting a terrible rash. So, in my opinion, it's a waste of money at this point.
Can't sell it either. Legally, you need a doctor to prescribe this to you, so I'm essentially stuck with a brace that I can't really use. :(
One last note... the brace itself should be fine for me when I need it. It's the electrodes that give me a huge rash, but without it, the electrical portion of the system is worthless.
Hi,
I have been learning about the bionicare system. I hope it can put off a left knee replacement. I think I will need a size large.
Have you starting using your brace again?
No... I have not. In fact, if there was a way to sell mine, I would. It is literally brand new and I've not used it at all. It's for my left knee as well and is a size large.
I told the rep about this and have never heard back. Personally, I think the brace is probably fine to resell, but the electronics is another story since you can't use that without electrodes. Although I have quite of few electrodes still too that have never been used.
The skin irritation prevents me from using the system and as far as the brace itself, my knees aren't hurting enough to warrant wearing it. So the system is still essentially new and just sitting int he box.
Curious, have you gone back to using it now? Thank you for sharing this info. especially your skin reaction to the electrodes. I've been thinking about getting this brace. Now I'm rethinking it because I get a skin reaction from using anything with adhesive on it.(even a bandaid) It sounds like the electrodes have adhesive on them. I saw on their website where they used to use gel. Thanks again.
I am not using it. It was a total waste of over $2000. The brace is probably ok, but I don't use that either. But the Electrodes is what causes me issues. If you have any issues with things sticking to your skin and causing you a rash, you will have problems with the electrodes. Even their "sensitive skin" electrodes cause problems. I wore the sensitive skin version for one day and it was worse than the non-sensitive skin version!
I'd say skip it altogether if you have skin irritation issues. The electrodes will cause you all sorts of problems.
Know anyone who wants to buy my system? I'll sell it at quite a savings! :)
I have gotten a very bad rash using this system but am thinking about using something with carbon fiber between the electrode gell and the skin. I like the system but like you can't use it I did make it to 1100 hours.
I have been using the. Knee wrap for about six weeks. I did get a mild rash at first. My rep reminded me to spray the electrodes with distilled water before applying and on removal and to drink plenty of water. I haven't had further problems. I have 360 hours in and I have less pain especially at night. I really like this product. No script required in Canada.
Ddizzy
I was using the system also , same problem , a nasty skin rash on the knee. I would not recommend it.
I have used the Bionicare system and also have the nasty rash on the knee. They gave me the alternative sensitive skin electrodes but they cause the rash too. The company I use is VQ Ortho and they are very hard to deal with. They say they are going to check up once a month but I only got one call. They billed my insurance wrong and still have problems with my bill. Don't recommend this at all.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
I've not used this system at all since the rash occurred. I'll likely sell it if that's possible. eBay here we come! :)
Here it is December 2013. I'd be interested in hearing from anybody who is using it. I am, with mixed emotions.
At the cost of the Bionicare system you can buy 5 AcuKnee's. The AcuKnee is much more effective and a tenth of the price. Similar concept and as one poster mentioned the technology is in the electrotherapy not the brace. Check it out. http://www.acuknee.com
DECEMBER 6 2015....I have been using the Bionicare System about 2 months. The first week I did have some minor skin irritation because it can sweat under the electrodes, and for me that sweat caused irritation/rash. I was wearing it thru out the day and when I switched to wearing ONLY at nite ..I was no longer sweating and have not had any sign of a rash ever since. / I do agree having to buy the electrodes is an unexpected big expense. And in addition to that their is another expense of having to replace the cord that attaches to the electrodes, mine wears out about every month . I hope all this extra expense and trouble is worth it. Looks helpful in theory...but I am still waiting to see Long Term Results from Others on here. anyone care to comment?
I am from India. I am seriously thinking of buying Bionicare. Can someone please advise?
Since everyone has a problem of rashes, I am wondering whether I should buy it.
I have worked in orthopedics for 10+ years and have recommended and provided this product for the same time period. There are a few things to point out.
The company is reputable and the only that provides this product.
One bad experience with customer service does not describe a company. I have provided dozens of units without any complaint or reservation.
The electrodes were redone in the last year and are MUCH more patient friendly.
Feel free to contact me for more info
I have psoriasis all over my legs. I am wondering if I could even wear this product. Anybody know the answer?
I would guess not. My skin was sensitive to the electrodes being stuck next to it all the time and I developed a rash. You could check with your doctor, but I'm guessing you might have a problem with it.
I am one of the sales managers for this company. The electrodes are now hypoallergenic. The bionicare energy is not contraindicated with psoriasis.
Feel free to contact me if interested. I can send you an electrode without a unit to wear and see if there are any issues.
Greg
ggmyersjr@gmail.com
7178185412
I actually swapped out my standard electrodes for the hypoallergenic versions. It didn't help. Because of that, I no longer wear the brace or the bionicare system. Only had it on for a short time before I had to stop using it. Is there any resale value in it? I'd like to sell it!
If anyone would like to purchase my Bionicare knee brace system, I have a LARGE LEFT KNEE brace, the electronic unit and about 6 packs of hypoallergenic electrodes. These have two in each pack. I also have the night wrap as well. Just contact me if you are interested.
I updated the original post with a photo of what I still have available for sale if anyone is interested. Again, it's a "Large" left knee system and includes the older styled electronics. I'll sell it for $700 shipped to anywhere in the lower 48 contiguous United States only.
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