Knee supports are often worn by athletes to give greater stability to the joints during sporting activities such as running, basketball and football matches.
Depending on your needs, these knee rests can be simple, like an elastic neoprene cuff, or complex with support bars that prevent flexion.
Knee supports give extra support to the ligaments and muscles of the knee.
The orthosis (knee support) may be required if the knee is too weak or the activities are more intense than the resistance of the knee allows.
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Who should wear a knee brace?
Some specific knee supports are designed to keep the knee joint in a certain position or to prevent distortions during sports activities.
Some athletes wear knee braces when experiencing some lesions to protect the knee joints during sports.
A knee brace may also be necessary after some surgical procedures, especially if the doctor wants the knee to remain in a certain position during the healing process.
However, some people also need an orthosis when walking if they have damaged muscles or tendons in the knee area.
Meniscus lesions, fractures and torn ligaments can cause instability of the knee and restrict movement.
With a brace, a person who has undergone knee surgery can walk with a cane or walker instead of spending the day in a wheelchair.
Usually, these knee braces are prescribed by the orthopedist.
A sudden twist or flexion of the knee can overstretch the ligaments and also cause a strain of the surrounding muscle fibers.
If an athlete is prone to knee pain or a malposition of the kneecap (patella), they can continue to train with a knee brace without the risk of further injury or inflammation.
After wearing the knee brace for a required period of time, the knee can be sufficiently stable to maintain correct alignment even without support.
Sizes
There are knee supports in all sizes to better adapt to the shape and dimensions of the patient’s knee.
An orthosis that is too large does not provide sufficient support, while a size that is too small is uncomfortable and can cause other complications such as bruising and swelling.
If the doctor prescribes a knee brace, it must be suitable for the needs of the patient.
Attention!
Even if your knee support is the right size, it must be used according to the orthopedist’s instructions.
It must not be worn for a shorter period of time than prescribed by the doctor.
If a knee brace is to be worn for six hours a day and you only wear it for four hours, the support is not sufficient. In addition, it should not be worn during activities for which it was not designed.
A personalized orthosis for the night may not be worn while playing basketball.
Finally, when increasing or decreasing body weight, it is necessary to consider changing the knee support.
If you wear the wrong size, you can suffer irritation or even damage.
How to choose the right knee support?
Knee supports for prevention: there are good bandages for the prevention of sports accidents. They allow complete movement, but block overstretching.
Bandages with cross straps provide additional support.
These knee supports are available with lacing or Velcro and their price ranges from 65 to 600 euros.
Orthoses for rehabilitation are designed to limit knee movement after knee surgery. They are used to support special anatomical areas of the knee, such as the kneecap, anterior, lateral, inner or posterior part of the knee joint or cruciate ligaments. The doctor prescribes the type of knee support required based on pathology and personal experience.
Attention should be paid to the materials from which the knee support is made. Neoprene, or some specific fibers processed in synthetic material, keep the knee at body temperature.
Some people prefer warmth, while others do not tolerate it.
Models with adjustable straps allow better air circulation in the knee area and are therefore cooler.
As far as the material is concerned, the price differences are not great. All have a high degree of comfort and freedom of movement.
You have to make sure to buy the knee support in the right shape and size.
If the orthosis causes discomfort when worn, you probably won’t use it for long.
How to use a knee support?
It is recommended to put on the knee support at the beginning of the day. After a knee injury, the legs swell during the day. If the bandage is applied in the morning, the amount of fluid that accumulates in the knee and leg is limited.
It is recommended to position the knee support before tightening as it will later lie on the leg.
For example, the front of the knee support should be aligned with the front of the leg before pulling it up. If you try to turn it on the leg when it is already at knee height, this causes discomfort to the joint and on the skin.
Use both hands. You have to hold the knee brace with two hands and pull it on both sides at the same time.
If necessary, regulate the Velcro straps. If the orthosis has special devices for aligning the kneecap or stabilizing the knee joint, you must make sure that these are securely attached around the joint.
If the pressure of the orthosis causes pain or if it does not adapt exactly to the knee, it is better not to buy the knee support.
Some types of knee supports
Bandage for the patellar tendon
The knee band with internal pressure is indicated during training and sporting competitions.
Its function is to prevent direct loads on the patellar tendon attachment by stabilizing and dissipating excessive loads.
In order to ensure maximum comfort and long use, a careful selection of materials has been made, consisting mainly of hypoallergenic and breathable natural fibers.
The inner part is made of soft cotton suede, which is comfortable to wear and allows the skin to breathe.
The outer surface is made of a dense mesh of nylon threads that form very resistant eyelets close together.
The patella belt is indicated in the treatment of intension tendinitis (enthesitis) of the patellar tendon during sports activities to avoid overloading of the patellar tendon, as well as in Osgood-Schlatter syndrome.
Adjustable knee support S500 Aptonia
Designed to MAINTAIN and GUIDE the joint after an accident.
Hold: Two rigid aluminum struts on either side of the knee joint limit lateral movements. These struts aim to guide the joint to prevent traumatizing movements on the collateral ligaments (medial and lateral).
– The crossed Velcro fastener supports the cruciate ligaments.
– The kneecap ring restricts movements and vibrations of the patella to reduce pain on the patellar tendon during sports activities.
Tests show that the knee brace “Reassure” limits the internal rotation of the knee by 4 degrees.
The rotational movement inwards is mainly responsible for the distortion of the knee joint.
Comfort: The material of this knee brace is pleasant and breathable thanks to the soft jersey fabric (made of cotton) used inside. The open rear zone prevents friction with the skin.
Breathability: The rear ventilation area provides breathability and maximum comfort.
Strength: The components guarantee the strength of the product. The very thin jersey bond is protected by a durable cover.
Easy to put on and position: The support can be positioned on the joint thanks to the Velcro straps.
COMPOSITION
Outside: 81% polyamide – 19% elastane Inside: 79% cotton – 13% elastane
– 8% polyamide
Post-operative knee support Epo Lite with 4 straps and 4 foam cushion straps
Properties
With a thinner foam coating that offers more breathability and comfort, this post-operative knee brace is an economical and at the same time comfortable support after a surgical procedure.
- The quick-set joint with sliders for regulating flexion and extension (adjustable flexion from -10° to 120° with grid steps of 10°; adjustable extension from -10° to 30° with grid steps of 10°).
- Possibility of knee blockade in complete extension.
- Possibility to shorten the knee brace by adjusting the bars.
- Without latex.
Indications
- Lesions of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and collateral ligaments.
- Tibial head fracture
- Osteochondral repair
- Intervention for meniscus lesion
- Intervention in case of injury of the patellar tendon
- Fractures of the femoral condyles
- Knee distortions
- Total knee prosthesis
- High tibial osteotomy
Instructions
1. The doctor must decide whether wearing a knee brace is beneficial.
One must be aware that wearing an orthosis may not help. On the contrary, it may aggravate the symptoms.
However, most people believe that knee braces are useful.
2. Simple knee supports can be bought in a pharmacy.
The classic knee brace is a simple elastic sleeve that is pulled over the knee.
It is possible that knee problems get better if you stand on your feet all day and you suffer from muscle strains or joints due to arthritis or osteoporosis. are weakened.
The price varies between 10 and 20 euros.
3. In a store for medical supplies you can find more special knee bandages.
For example, if the knee joints are very vulnerable and suffer repeated injuries or in the case of synovitis in which the knee is inflamed and swells, a knee brace that compresses the knee may be required.
These bandages are made of neoprene.
Neoprene helps maintain natural body heat, improves blood circulation and speeds up recovery. The cost is about 20-30 euros.
How to put on a knee brace?
One needs to see a knee specialist who will evaluate knee pain and decide what type of knee brace works best.
You have to take the measurements above the knee joint, above the kneecap and below the knee joint to determine which bandage has the correct length.
Although these knee supports are available in sizes S, M and L, there are also intermediate sizes for each of these categories.
It is better to opt for the purchase of an individually adapted knee brace to have a correct size.
You can buy online or in a specialized store. In stores, sellers help to find the appropriate bandage.