Which Knee Brace Should You Choose?

Knee braces are commonly associated with sports injuries but, unkown to many, they come in different types and choosing the correct type for you condition is very important as it can increase or decrease your rehabilitation time or effectiveness of preventing injury This article will explain these different knee supports and also analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

The three main types of knee supports are:

• REHABILITATION
• PROPHYLACTIC
• FUNCTIONAL

Rehabilitation braces are made to induce faster healing for injured knees. They do this by immobilizing the knees, restricting movements and allowing the damaged parts to recover with minimal disturbance. This type of brace is usually prescribed by doctors and most often used by people who have injured their knee through sports and or an accident.

Prophylactic braces on the other hand focus on preventing injuries. Athletes, dancers and active people usually wear them during activities that put a lot of pressure on the knees. These braces however have inconclusive results and should not be worn without proper guidance from a health professional.

Finally, functional braces are to be worn to reduce pain and lessen the risk of re-injuries. This type of brace is best for those who have a weak knee or one that has already gone through injuries in the past.

So what do you need to consider before getting a brace? Make sure you address these three important factors.

• THE TYPE OF INJURY THAT YOU WANT TO PROTECT
• THE SPORT OR FUNCTION THAT YOU WANT TO USE IT FOR
• THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU WANT TO SPEND

Hinged knee braces restrict side to side movements as well as limiting the angle of bending and straightening of the joints.

Neoprene braces are stretchy and serves as a form of sleeve designed to give support around the knee cap. It also adds warmth to improve blood circulation as long as it is not worn too tight. Elastic braces give the same effect although they offer minimal support.

Knee bands are smaller and are worn to address tendon and bursa problems. They are usually worn to support the knee as it receives shock and stress.

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Looking for a knee brace? Read this hinged knee brace review and find out why they are the most commonly used.