How To Find The Right Knee Brace

How Do Knee Compression Sleeves Work

With knee braces, you can support and manage pain for various knee injuries, including sprains, arthritis, ACL tears, runner’s knee, instabilities, and discomfort. The brace will operate differently depending on the type of injury. The majority of braces provide support and alignment for the knee. There are knee compression sleeves for running in addition to other athletic or rigorous activities.The market today offers a wide range of knee braces, each of which provides relief and support according to the specific conditions they are intended for. A knee brace can be designed with a variety of benefits for a variety of conditions, including patella tracking or support, metal hinges to stabilize ligaments, or compression sleeves to treat swelling. This brace design incorporates these elements to help provide relief and support for consumers that are suffering from specific conditions.

Breg Fusion Oa Knee Brace

Specially designed for patients suffering from medial compartmental osteoarthritis, the Breg Fusion OA Plus is the ultimate innovative unloader knee brace.

It effectively manages the symptoms of osteoarthritis like pain and prevents further damage to the joints, muscles, and ligaments of the knee.

It features innovative AirTech frame pads, windows, and channel to allow effective ventilation by letting cooling airflow in order to shield the skin against the accumulation of heat and moisture.

Its low-profile design is perfect to provide effective suspension and pain relief, along with ensuring the comfort of the sufferer while engaging in movements.

Breg has powered this durable unloading knee brace with the innovative Proform technology that provides the knee a contoured and flexible fit, along with superior protection against further degeneration, damage or inflammation.

It features an extremely easy application and removal, and even patients with arthritic hands can operate it without complications.

It comes with a budget-friendly price tag and the incredible convenience of the thumb-wheel dial hinge, which makes very easy for the patients to adjust their own low of off-loading to manage their pain.

Why Trust Verywell Health

An experienced health writer, Brittany Loggins understands how important it is to have a comprehensive understanding of the products she’s recommending. All of the products found in her pieces have either been tested by her first hand or have been recommended by trusted medical professionals.

Additional reporting for this story by Brittany Leitner

As a health writer with over eight years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested out hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that won’t break the bank.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Cellulite Above My Knees

Singled Hinged Knee Braces

Best for Severe Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

With more support and function than wraparound knee braces, single-hinged braces are best suited for patients with severe knee pain due to uni-compartmental knee osteoarthritis . Advances in technology have allowed a discrete look while allowing fine-tuned pain relief to meet low-to-high impact activity demands, and have been proven to improve mobility and reduce knee pain.Try the Unloader One X prescription brace for unicompartmental knee osteoarthrits.

What Is The Rice Method

Most physicians use the R.I.C.E method to treat minor injuries. It is a simple, yet effective method that has stood the test of time. If you have sustained a minor trauma to an area of your body, using this method would certainly be in your best interest.

• Rest: When you’ve sustained an injury, don’t try to push through the pain. A worsened injury may result from doing so. Do not continue to move until the injured area has been rested.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the injury for 30 minutes, but don’t leave it on for longer, as this can cause swelling and dehydration.
• Compression: Ice is important on the injured area, but hot compression is equally important. If you ice the area afterward, it will help reduce swelling and improve blood flow.
• Elevation: Raising your injury above the level of your heart when sitting or lying down will reduce swelling.

You May Like: Can You Use An Inversion Table After Knee Replacement

So Should You Buy A Knee Brace

When you are in the market for a knee brace, there are a variety of options and price points to choose from. Deciding on the most appropriate brace for you will depend on your activity level, what you plan to do and how much support you need. From the simple spandex style braces to a full metal support and stabilizing form, you can get the maximum movement from your knee, without pain. Using the right brace for your knees will allow you to stay active keeping you happy and healthy. Choose your brace and get back in the game!

How Long Can You Wear A Patellar Tendonitis Knee Brace Per Day

The best patellar tendonitis knee braces are designed to support the knee and should be worn during physical exercise. Taking the knee brace off while you manage day-to-day activities and while you sleep should not impact your recovery from patellar tendonitis. Of course, when you wear your knee brace will largely be determined by your doctor. Make sure you follow your doctors prescribed medical recommendations.

Read Also: Can You Use An Inversion Table After Knee Replacement

Knee Braces Keep Your Knee Aligned

For one, the brace will keep your knee aligned. This way your joint stays in line with your hip and the impact goes right where nature intended it to.

Your knee has a series of tendons and ligaments that keep it in line. The ligaments stretch on the sides of the knee and over the top of the knee, much like the parts of a brace that stretch over the side and the top of your knee.

If your knee is not aligned, then running and even walking will put undue stress on the ligaments that hold your knee together. They can stretch and even tear with enough impact.

How A Knee Brace Can Help With Arthritis Pain

All knee braces basically serve the same function. Their job is to help the tendons and ligaments in your leg stabilize your knee joint. Most braces stabilize by compression or through straps that tighten around your knee. When your joint is stabilized, it may minimize the pain you feel as you go about your day.

In a 2017 study of people with osteoarthritis, participants who wore a soft knee brace had lower pain levels while walking and took less time to complete a 10-kilometer walk. In that same study, a tight brace was found to help reduce walking time even more for study participants.

For people with rheumatoid arthritis, some rheumatologists prescribe medical-grade braces as a first-line treatment for pain in the knee.

Even if you dont have a prescription for this type of medical device, you can get one:

• over the counter at pharmacies
• at some medical supply stores
• at sporting goods stores

Also Check: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee

Knee Support For An Acl Sprain Or Tear

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important parts of the knee joint because of its stabilizing job. When it gets sprained or torn, usually from athletic activity, it can result in serious pain and knee instability.A person with an ACL injury or following an ACL reconstruction will typically be given a rigid, hinged brace by their doctor, Minnis says. These braces may or may not be locked to limit knee mobility.

What Is Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis is a prevalent knee injury. Sometimes this injury is called jumpers knee. The patellar tendon functions as a cushioning pad in the knee, absorbing impact at every landing. Sometimes repeated movements are too much for this delicate tendon to handle. Small tears can form within the tendon that cause the knee to become painful, swollen, and stiff. This injury commonly stems from overuse or repetitive impact. Patellar tendonitis can arise from running too frequently on hard surfaces, significantly ramping up an exercise routine, or jumping, running with a bad form.

Recommended Reading: Is Nano Knee Covered By Medicare

How To Determine Your Donjoy Knee Brace Size

Finding the right size knee brace is very important when selecting a knee brace. Improper size can lead to poor protection or discomfort when wearing a knee brace. Thats why weve created detailed instructions on each of our knee brace product pages to help you get the right size DonJoy knee brace. You can also watch this video below to learn how to measure for your DonJoy knee brace:

We offer DonJoy knee braces in the following sizes:

Individual results may vary.

Bauerfeind Genutrain S Knee Brace

Bauerfeind GenuTrain S Knee Support

The first and the foremost knee brace that comes to mind when we say a highly effective and comfortable brace is the Bauerfeind Genutrain S knee brace. This brace has many features that will make you choose this without giving a second thought, when you are actually in need of a good one. This lightweight brace is suitable for mild to severe knee problems. They help in stabilization of knee, and also treats osteoarthritis, arthritis, and medial/lateral ligament injuries. The main advantage is that this brace is made of a breathable material and hence comfortable to wear for a long duration continuously. During movement of the knees it compresses the knee gradually, tighter in places where you need and looser in places where you dont. This reduces the pain and swelling in the knee to a greater extent. The unique Velcro strapping helps in holding it tight to your leg and can do your work without any disturbance of having to adjust it often. Bauerfeind Genutrain S knee brace

Recommended Reading: What Rebuilds Cartilage

Know That Braces Are Made For Specific Conditions

Generally, there are four main types of knee braces: prophylactic, functional braces, rehabilitative and patellofemoral braces. Propylactic braces are made to protect knees from injuries during intensive activities such as football while functional braces are use to support already injured knees.

Rehabilitative braces are designed to limit the knees from harmful movements after injury or surgery. Patellofemoral brace are use for patellofemoral pain syndrome to help the kneecap move with better flexibility over the joints.

Karm Adjustable Knee Brace

• Price: $$

What we liked: This brace has a ton of stability built in, is made from moisture-wicking material, and will fit the needs of a wide range of knee widths and body types. The Velcro straps are extra long, and the open-face patella design protects the joint without smashing down your kneecap. Theres also a bit of extra padding around the kneecap area to support your joint when you kneel down.

What to know: With side stabilizers and extra padding, this brace doesnt allow for a lot of movement. Wearing it to walk and do household chores is fine, but you might find it to be too restrictive for sports and other activities.

Don’t Miss: Whiten Knees Fast

Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap

• Price: $

What we liked: This brace is unique in that it offers you the option of hot or cold therapy while your knee is stabilized. If your joints frequently feel warm or inflamed after a workout, popping this brace on may help soothe the pain and boost your recovery.

Its also fully adjustable and designed to wrap around your entire knee comfortably. Gel packs can be chilled in the freezer or heated in the microwave, according to your preference. Its even latex-free and machine-washable.

What to know: While this brace might be the most soothing on our list, its not the most supportive. This brace is best used when youre in a reclining or relaxed position. You may also want to consider getting extra gel packs if youre using this brace frequently.

Best Knee Brace: Patellar Stabilizer Or Realignment Brace

The underlying cause of PFPS is thought to be abnormal movement of the patella , also known as patellar maltracking . A patellar stabilizer brace is a type of functional brace that counters patellar maltracking. The brace stabilizes and controls the position of the knee cap to make sure that it is aligned properly throughout your range of motion. By correcting patellar alignment, the brace can help to relieve the symptoms of PFPS.

Studies examining the benefits of patellar stabilizer braces for PFPS have produced varying results . Overall, there is not a lot of high-quality evidence to support the use of these braces for PFPS . However, some research suggests that they are effective at relieving pain from PFPS and that those with patellar maltracking can benefit from wearing a brace to complement a physical therapy program . In most cases, the patella tracks towards the outside of the knee . Using a brace that directs the patella towards the inside of the knee to correct lateral maltracking has been shown to lead to better outcomes and pain relief when combined with physiotherapy exercises . This suggests that patellar stabilizers should not be viewed as an instant solution to PFPS, but as one of many tools in a more comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

You May Like: How To Whiten Knees Fast

How Do I Know If Levitation Is Right For Me

• Book a consultation with a bracing specialist If you think Levitation might be the solution for your knee pain, please feel free to give us a call at 1.877.209.8780 to speak with a bracing specialist or to book a consultation at your convenience.
• Pricing and insurance The cost of Levitation is covered by most insurance providers. The brace also comes with a 30-day risk-free trial. You can learn more about pricing and insurance coverage here, or speak to a bracing specialist for more information.

One: Get The Right Tools For The Job

You need to ensure you get the most accurate measurements of your body as possible in order to get the best-fitting knee brace, as this will keep your knee safe and protected while you work, play, or heal. But because our bodies have all sorts of curves, you can’t exactly use a ruler. Thankfully, a soft tape measure will do the job nicely.

If you don’t have a soft tape measure, though, you don’t have to run out and get one. There are some workarounds you can use. Anything that’s long enough to wrap around your leg, like a piece of rope, an extension cord, or even a phone charging cable, can be used, as long as you then measure it against a straight ruler or a traditional tape measure afterward. Just make sure you take as accurate a reading as possible!

You May Like: Can Knee Cartilage Be Rebuilt

Open Vs Closed Patellar Knee Braces

You may have seen some knee braces with holes where the knee is, while you may have noticed others that are closed. The difference between these two braces is that the ones that are open help deal with the pain that is associated with your knee cap, while the other braces are more for injuries that do not specifically affect the knee cap. The open knee braces allow your patella to sit supported in its ideal position and aims at preventing movement.

Proper Knee Sleeve Fit

According to the type of brace, knee braces offer support, stabilization, and more. Knowing how to measure for knee sleeves correctly is crucial to getting the most from it. In most cases, you should measure your knee three times: at the knee center, at the thigh, and at the calf . Only the kneecap’s circumference is necessary for some supports. Our size charts and measurements instructions help you choose the right size, so take a look at those.You should wear the brace snugly enough that it won’t restrict your movement or cut off circulation. Changing sizes may be necessary if it feels too tight.

Read Also: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee

What Knee Brace Is Right For Me

There’s no doubt that knee braces are helpful to manage knee injuries or prevention. But choosing which one is right for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. From hinged and immobilization to compression and prevention, we break down everything you need to know to help you find the right knee brace for you.

Top 3 Knee Injuries To Look Out For

There are many ligaments and muscles in theknee joint, which makes it highly susceptible to injury. Anyone of any age can suffer from these knee problems. The impact of knee injuries can be felt on every aspect of your life, from routine activities to getting up from the couch. In sports, ligament damage is often caused by a sudden twist or reaction. Heavy running in particular is often a common culprit, which is why knee sleeves for running are in strong demand. Here is an explanation of three common knee injuries, along with knee braces that can help manage symptoms.

Recommended Reading: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee

Shock Doctor Ultra Knee Support With Bilateral Hinges

• Price: $$$

What we liked: This breathable, padded design works well if you need to stand for long hours at work. Its durable enough to withstand heavier-duty activity, but also gives you a ton of stability for when your arthritis pain is flaring up. The support of the hinges is meant to prevent you from hyperextending your knee and injuring it further. The compression can feel soothing on days when your knee really needs a break.

What to know: This brace is on the pricier side, and the hinge system may not work well for everyones needs. Sizing can be tricky with this product, so make sure to read through the instructions and reviews on the product page. Also keep in mind that there are no tightening straps, so youve got to pull the brace on. This makes correct sizing all the more important.