Gears

Frequently Asked Questions

We have gathered answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding FUTURO™ Brand Products and their use. Don’t see your question below? Feel free to Contact us for any help with application, product questions, or returns.

If discomfort or pain results, persists or increases, discontinue use and consult your physician.


  • The fabric fastener on my brace doesn't stick together very well anymore. What can I do?

    It could be that it just needs a good cleaning. String, lint and other materials get trapped on the hook and loop surfaces, clogging them up so they don’t mesh together. Start by picking out any pieces you see stuck to the material. Then you can gently clean the loop side with something soft but firm, like a toothbrush. This will help make the loops stand up more if they have become flattened. You could add warm water and a mild detergent to the toothbrush head and scrub the hook side as well. These steps should help with better adhesion. If not, the hook and loop material may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. If it is still not sticking after trying all these steps, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance.

    The fabric fastener on my brace doesn't stick together very well anymore. What can I do?

    It could be that it just needs a good cleaning. String, lint and other materials get trapped on the hook and loop surfaces, clogging them up so they don’t mesh together. Start by picking out any pieces you see stuck to the material. Then you can gently clean the loop side with something soft but firm, like a toothbrush. This will help make the loops stand up more if they have become flattened. You could add warm water and a mild detergent to the toothbrush head and scrub the hook side as well. These steps should help with better adhesion. If not, the hook and loop material may be old or damaged and may need to be replaced. If it is still not sticking after trying all these steps, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance.


  • Do FUTURO™ Braces have metal components?

    Yes, the following FUTURO™ Braces contain metal:

    Knee Supports:
    FUTURO™ Ultra Performance Knee Stabilizer (cat# 48189, 48190, 48191, 48192)
    FUTURO™ Hinged Knee Brace (cat# 48579)
    FUTURO™ Performance Knee Stabilizer (cat# 47550)
    FUTURO™ Comfort Knee Support with Stabilizers (cat# 46163, 46164, 46165)
    FUTURO™ For Her Knee Support (cat# 95341)
    FUTURO™ Custom Pressure Knee Strap (cat# 09190)

    Wrist Supports:
    FUTURO™ Compression Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 48400, 48401, 48402, 48403)
    FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support (cat# 48462)
    FUTURO™ Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 10770)
    FUTURO™ Custom Fit Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 601602, 611612)
    FUTURO™ Deluxe Wrist Stabilizer (cat# 09144, 09090, 45538, 09137, 09013, 09014)
    FUTURO™ Deluxe Thumb Stabilizer (cat# 45843)

    Back Supports:
    FUTURO™ Easy Adjustable Back Support (cat# 46819, 45844)

    Elbow Supports:
    FUTURO™ Custom Pressure Elbow Strap (cat# 45980)


  • Can I wear my support when I am sleeping?

    Our braces and supports are typically designed to be worn during the day. The exceptions to this are the FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support and the FUTURO™ Plantar Fasciitis Night Support which are both are designed specifically for night use.


  • Can I wear my brace while swimming?

    We do not recommend that you wear a brace or support while swimming, because wearing one in the water can shorten the life of the product’s materials. Also, the materials can become water logged and the support may not then fit the joint properly.


  • I am severely allergic to latex but need a simple brace to wear (as recommended by my doctor). Can you tell me if your products contain latex?

    If a FUTURO™ Product contains natural rubber latex, it will say so on the front of the product package and on the product page of our website. We have many products that are NOT made with natural rubber latex, so there are many choices available if you are allergic to latex.

    For wrist and hand products specifically, here are some you could consider:

    FUTURO™ Compression Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 48400, 48401, 48402, 48403)
    FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support (cat# 48462)
    FUTURO™ Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 10770)
    FUTURO™ Custom Fit Stabilizing Wrist Brace (cat# 601602, 611612)
    FUTURO™ Deluxe Wrist Stabilizer (cat# 09144, 09090, 45538, 09137, 09013, 09014)
    FUTURO™ Deluxe Thumb Stabilizer (cat# 45843)
    FUTURO™ Sport Wrist Support (cat# 09033)
    FUTURO™ Performance Comfort Wrist Support (cat# 01036)
    FUTURO™ Hand/Wrist Compression Glove (cat# 09183, 09187)

    For more information on all our products, visit our product directory page.


  • If my support gets dirty, will I be able to clean it?

    Yes, you can clean FUTURO™ Braces and Supports. First, if your support has hinges, clips or metal splints, remove them. Then close all straps and fasteners and hand wash with mild soap in warm (not hot) water. Rinse well and air dry. DO NOT machine wash, tumble dry, dry clean or use fabric softener or bleach on the brace.

    For general cleaning instruction, please go to our Caring for FUTURO™ Products page. You can also refer to the product package and/or the individual product pages on the FUTURO™ Products website for care instructions specific to each FUTURO product.


  • How long at a time should I wear my support?

    The length of time is a personal preference. A general recommendation would be that you wear a brace or support during activity and for an hour or two afterwards. If you feel better wearing it longer, that is fine as well. However, we would not recommend wearing any brace or support while you sleep unless specifically recommended for that use for example the FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support and the FUTURO™ Plantar Fasciitis Night Support.


  • I can't find some of your products in stores. Where can I buy them?

    Each of the product pages on our website has a Where to Buy button that can help you find both retail store locations and online merchants. Amazon.com also carries most of our products, so you can find them there. If you are still not able to locate your product, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for assistance on where to purchase our products. Our business hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM CT, Monday – Friday.

    Each of the product pages on our website has a Where to Buy button that can help you find both retail store locations and online merchants. Amazon.com also carries most of our products, so you can find them there. If you are still not able to locate your product, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for assistance on where to purchase our products. Our business hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM CT, Monday – Friday.


  • What is your return policy?

    For information regarding our return policy Click here.


  • Do you have a brace specifically for plantar fasciitis?

    Yes, we have a product that is specifically designed for plantar fasciitis. It’s called the FUTURO™ Plantar Fasciitis Night Support, and it can help relieve the morning foot and heel pain associated with this condition. It comfortably holds your foot at the recommended angle during the night.

    We also have a product for daytime wear, the FUTURO™ Therapeutic Arch Support, a unique solution which provides foot, arch and heel support for those experiencing plantar fasciitis pain.. It offers compression, support and cushioning all in one product and features removable inserts that allow you to customize the level of arch support you need.


  • For the FUTURO™ Tennis Elbow Strap, where do you place the pressure pad on your arm?

    Place the pressure pad over the sore area on your forearm, on the top of your forearm where your tendons connect to the bone, just below the elbow. This is the location most closely associated with Tennis Elbow. For Golfers Elbow, position the pressure on the underside of your forearm, just below the elbow over the sore area.


  • For the FUTURO™ Comfort Elbow Support with Pressure Pads, where do you place the pressure pads on your arm?

    Once you slide the FUTURO™ Comfort Elbow Support with Pressure Pads over your elbow, position the pressure pads so that they rest on the top and the underside (radial and ulnar sides) of your forearm, just below the elbow. If you need more information, you can find wearing instructions on all FUTURO™ product packaging, as well as on individual product pages on the website.


  • For the FUTURO™ Knee Support Strap and the FUTURO™ Custom Pressure Knee Strap, where do you place the pressure pad on my knee?

    Wrap the strap just below your knee. The pressure pad should be positioned directly under kneecap, against skin.


  • How do I change the splint in my FUTURO™ Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace so it fits my other hand?

    Slide the splint out of the pocket of the FUTURO™ Comfort Stabilizing Wrist Brace. Hold the splint steady, rotate the brace and slide the splint into the opposite pocket opening. Tuck the end of the splint into the pocket. Follow the wear instructions provided in the package.


  • Do you have a knee support without neoprene?

    We have several options not made with neoprene. We can't recommend a specific support without knowing more about you and your needs. A couple of options, however, are the FUTURO™ Comfort Knee Support and the FUTURO™ Comfort Knee Support with Stabilizers.

    You can also use the product finder on our website to help find an option for your specific injury or condition.


  • My knee support fits but is very tight. I know the brace should be tight to provide compression but how tight is too tight? Please advise.

    You are correct, the knee support is supposed to provide compression and therefore should be a snug fit. However, if it is cutting into the skin around the edge of the brace, you should go one size larger. The optimal fit should be snug but comfortable.


  • Can I get a replacement part or strap for my FUTURO™ Support?

    Please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance with replacement parts and products. Our business hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM CT, Monday – Friday.

    Please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance with replacement parts and products. Our business hours are 8 AM – 4:30 PM CT, Monday – Friday.


  • How does the FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support work?

    Physicians often recommend the use of a rigid wrist brace at night during management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other painful wrist conditions to promote a neutral wrist and hand position while sleeping.


  • The beads are leaking from the padding in the palm of my FUTURO™ Night Wrist Support – what do I do?

    If the bead bag ruptures or opens for any reason, stop use immediately. Please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance.

    If the bead bag ruptures or opens for any reason, stop use immediately. Please contact our customer service team at 1-800-537-2191 for additional assistance.


  • Do you make graduated compression legwear without natural rubber latex? I have a latex sensitivity--I cannot use latex gloves or bandages.

    Good news! Almost all of FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Stockings are not made with natural rubber latex, so you have a lot of options—from trouser socks to pantyhose to therapeutic stockings. The only FUTURO Graduated Compression Legwear product that contains latex is the FUTURO™ Therapeutic Open Toe/Heel Knee Length Stocking. The rest are made from nylon and spandex. Click here to browse the entire line.


  • What colors of compression socks for men are available other than black and tan/brown?

    FUTURO™ Dress Socks for Men are currently only available in black. We are always improving our products so please Click here to browse the entire line.


  • Is there a limit to how long you can wear compression stockings?

    Compression stockings can be worn every day and they can be worn all day. For best results, you should put them on first thing in the morning and take them off right before you go to bed. They should NOT be worn overnight while sleeping. Your doctor or medical professional can also provide guidance on Graduated Compression Legwear and usage.


  • How do I put my FUTURO™ Compression Legwear on?

    “How to Wear” instructions can be found on each individual product page at future-usa.com, as well as on the package.

    Here are general guidelines:

    How to Wear
    1. Place thumbs inside legwear and gather material.
    2. Slip each foot inside legwear and gradually pull up and over heel.
    3. Adjust heel for comfortable fit.
    4. Gently slide legwear up each leg and smooth out wrinkles.

    For FUTURO™ Anti-Embolism stockings specifically, follow these instructions:

    How to Wear
    1. Insert hand into heel pocket of stocking. Turn stocking inside out by grasping center of heel pocket.
    2. Position stocking over foot and heel, carefully centering heel in heel pocket.
    3. Gently pull stocking up and over ankle and calf, working up to the final location. Note that the top of the stocking should be about 1 to 2 inches below bottom of knee cap.


  • How do I launder my compression legwear?

    Machine wash in warm water on gentle cycle using mild detergent. Air dry. Do NOT wring out. Blot with towel to remove excess water and air dry.

    Care instructions are available on each product package as well as on the individual product page at futuro-usa.com and on our Care Guide page.

    For FUTURO™ Anti-Embolism stockings specifically, launder after every three days of use to ensure stockings last as long as possible. Keep the stockings free from substances like ointments, oils and lanolin which could deteriorate elastic. Hand wash with mild soap in warm not hot) water. Rinse well until water is clear (do not wring or twist out) and air dry. Do not bleach, tumble dry, dry clean, or iron.


  • How do I know which compression level to choose for legwear?

    Here are general guidelines to the compression levels of FUTURO™

    Graduated Compression Legwear:
    Mild = (8-15 mm/Hg) Helps relieve mild symptoms of varicose veins, swelling, tired or aching legs.

    Moderate = (15-20 mm/Hg) Helps relieve mild-moderate symptoms of varicose veins, swelling, tired or aching legs.

    Firm = (20-30 mm/Hg) Helps relieve moderate-severe symptoms of chronic tired, aching legs, mild leg pain, varicosities, post-vein surgery, post-sclerotherapy, edema and superficial thrombophlebitis. Also used to help prevent the reoccurrence of ulcerations.

    In all cases, you should consult your doctor for the appropriate product for your condition.

    Your doctor or medical professional can also provide guidance on when and how often to wear your compression legwear product.

    Our FUTURO™ Anti-Embolism Stockings are 18mm/Hg of compression. They should only be worn on the advice of your doctor and for the time period recommended. If discomfort or pain results, persists or increases, discontinue use and consult your physician.


  • How does FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Legwear work?

    FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Legwear applies controlled, graduated pressure, which is strongest at the ankles and decreases as it moves up to help maintain blood flow up the legs. The benefits to this include improving circulation, providing relief from the symptoms of tired, achy legs and varicose veins, and offering help for chronic symptoms, ankle swelling, chronic fatigue and leg heaviness. For more information, please visit our Compression Legwear page to browse the entire line of products.