Knee Support Braces

Knee problems are common among people of all ages. Athletes and active people can suffer from knee injuries due to overuse or direct contact while individuals with arthritis often experience more significant pain in the knees than in other joints. A healthy knee can flex, bend and straighten easily without pain. However in case of common knee injuries, simple functions like walking, running, kicking and sitting, can be challenging. In such cases, a knee support brace provides protection and support as well as keeps body heat inside the brace in order to promote healing. But with the numerous types of knee support braces to choose from how do you know which one is the best for you.

Knee braces are used to prevent knee disorders and injuries from happening. Knee related conditions or disorders can have a vast array of severity that can range from a simple sprain, to a dislocated joint, to a torn tendon, muscle or nerve. There are many different types of knee support braces available to provide cushioning and promote quick recovery. Many, are designed specifically for certain kinds of knee problems such as torn ligaments, injured kneecaps or arthritis pain. This guide is intended to offer you a quick summary on what types of knee braces are available and their usefulness.

Kinds of Knee Support Braces

Prophylactic Knee Support Braces: A prophylactic brace is generally used to protect knees from injury while participating in contact sports such as football and lacrosse. These kinds of knee support braces are designed to protect uninjured knees and are not recommended for regular use. These braces are generally inexpensive and readily available almost everywhere. Though they have been proven to help reduce the number of knee injuries from contact sports each year, no studies have been conclusive in the evidence to support their effectiveness.

Hinged Knee Support Braces: Generally, these kinds of braces are prescribed by orthopedic surgeons or sports physicians for athletes with ligament damage that has been repaired to increase stability and to protect the ligament. Unlike the other braces, this is the only type of support that should be worn every waking hour until advised to remove either by your surgeon or physiotherapist. The hinged braces are a great choice for knee braces for running.This knee support however is not allowed for most other sports due to the metal parts of the support.

Functional Knee Support Braces: The functional knee support braces were designed to help those with existing injuries. For example a person suffering from ACL, medial collateral ligament or PCL damage is recommended a functional brace. Functional braces are used to stabilize the knee during rotational and anterior or posterior forces are used to help in rehabilitation for ligament injuries. Torn or unstable knee ligaments require a lightweight, durable brace that supports the joint and hence this kind of brace is a great choice.

Arthritic Knee Support Braces: These braces which are also known as Unloader or Offloader braces they were designed specifically for those people who suffer from arthritis in the knee. The main function of these braces is to promote stability and reduce pain. These types of braces can be used to prevent having surgery. There are soft and rigid versions of this brace available to help provide support and reduce excessive weight or loading on a damaged knee joint. The sleeve option in this variety of brace offers warmth to the area, helping to reduce the radiating pain and provide a method to promote healing and better functioning during everyday life.

It is important to remember that the type of knee brace worn should limit the excessive wear on the knee joint and prevent any further damage. Also, a knee support should not be for long-term daily wear as this will weaken knee muscles, making one very dependent on the support. Knee support should be used as a temporary measure to manage your knee discomfort until professional advice is sought. The best way to manage your knee discomfort is to see your physiotherapist for prescribed physical therapy and knee exercises that would be beneficial for you and help you strengthen your knee.