That sounds similar to a hard brace with Velcro my mom had to use at one time for the top of her foot/ankle/lower calf when she got hurt because some woman who was walking past her jammed up my mom's foot and leg against the chair leg when she was at the movies with my sisters. That brace was pretty awkward to get in place and for her to use.

Have you considered asking your doctor about trying an alternative style of knee brace?