What Knee Brace Options Exist?
Knee bracing is becoming more mainstream, worn by amateurs and professionals alike, though with so many options available it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. This article will hopefully offer a little insight into what is available and what the differences are.
Knee braces perform one or both of the following tasks:
Compression: offering control against inflammation following an injury which can also work to reduce pain. The compressive material is typically achieved via neoprene though BioSkin offers a bespoke alternative and is used by the military and professional footballers.
Stability: where there has damage to the ligaments a knee support can offer additional stability with the external strapping acting as ligaments to help you remain active for longer. These types of bracing are available in both a soft and rigid state depending on the injury you wish to manage and the sport you wish to undertake.
Compression supports
Following any injury it is important to rest as well as applying ice and compression to the affected region. This can help to manage inflammation and reduce pain which in turn can help to speed up your recovery as well as allowing you to remain active for longer.
These types of supports are also known as sleeves, a compressive tube which you pull onto your knee covering part of the thigh and calf. Whilst it does offer compression its limitation is a lack of a hinge which is useful when mobile as the knee bends.
Hinged knee brace options
The hinge within the brace allows offers a degree of stability for the patient when mobile, allowing the brace to be strapped to the leg without hindering mobility. These designs are used following ligament damage or where there is instability preventing a patient from walking, running and jumping and work both from a prophylactic and post injury perspective.
Selecting the right hinged knee brace can be difficult with so many options available in the market which is why a professional diagnosis is essential in selecting the right product for the condition you wish to manage.
Soft knee braces
A soft knee brace is designed to offer both compression and stability following injury. These are typically worn following milder injuries including ligament damage, with more serious tears and ruptures needing to consider a rigid option.
They are designed to be worn when active as part of your overall rehabilitation programme and typically worn short term rather than as a long term solution. There are slight variants in each product on the market, all designed to manage specific conditions, therefore diagnosis is essential.
Rigid knee braces
Rigid knee braces are designed to be used in extreme sports, offering maximum protection to the joint both as a prophylactic measure as well as post injury. Some designs are manufactured from carbon fibre so that they are super strong and lightweight and are designed to withstand impact from falls in snowboarding, motocross and wakeboarding and protecting the ligaments.
40% of all ACL injuries occur within extreme sports and with a lengthy layoff typically experienced following surgery many are not looking at ways of protecting the knee before something bad happens.
As well as protecting the joint a rigid brace is designed to the stability lost following damage to the ACL which is essential when considering extreme sports.
About the Author
Dave Regis discusses the use of orthotics for the management of knee injuries, reviewing injury rehabilitation through exercise and the use of bracing and supports, specifically in that of a rigid knee brace http://www.ctikneebraces.co.uk/options
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