Guide To Knee Braces
For those with active lifestyles or who work long hours on their feet, your knees often take the brunt of your daily routine. When they start to feel the strain, a knee brace is a good solution to prevent injury, and braces are indispensable if you’re recovering from a knee injury. Here’s a breakdown of common types of knee braces and how they help prevent and alleviate injuries.
What Are Knee Braces and How Do They Work?
Knee braces work by supporting, stabilizing, and generally making sure your knees don’t go rogue on you. Whether you're trying to prevent injury, recover from one, or manage chronic issues, there is a type of brace that can help.
First, there are prophylactic braces. These are like a preemptive strike—designed to protect healthy knees during sports and prevent injuries before they happen. Functional braces come into play after an injury, offering support to knees that are recovering, especially post-surgery or after ligament damage. Rehabilitative braces focus on promoting healing by limiting certain movements during recovery, while unloader braces are made for those with knee osteoarthritis, helping to shift weight off the affected part of the joint to ease pain.
Ultimately, knee braces stabilize ligaments, reduce the stress and strain on the knee joint, and give the whole area a little extra reinforcement. This allows for better mobility, so you can regain strength in the joint while reducing the risk of re-injury or recovery setbacks. They’re often part of a broader rehabilitation plan to help get you back to full strength.
When to Use a Knee Brace
- Post-Surgery: After any type of knee surgery, a brace is your best friend in the recovery process. It offers the support needed to help the knee heal properly while restricting movement that could compromise the repaired ligaments and other tissue. Think of it as the bodyguard for your post-surgery knee.
- Sports Injuries: Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a pro athlete, knee braces are essential for managing sports-related injuries. They help prevent sprains, strains, and instability during physical activity by providing support to the knee joint, keeping things in place while you do your thing.
- Chronic Conditions: If you’re dealing with chronic knee conditions like arthritis or patella tracking disorders, knee braces can help alleviate pain and offer stability. They don’t just manage the pain; they help stabilize the knee, reducing the risk of further damage and providing better mobility, especially if your ligaments are feeling a little unreliable.
How to Use a Knee Brace Effectively
- Fitting the Knee Brace: Start by ensuring you get the right size—too tight, and it’s uncomfortable; too loose, and it won’t do its job. A snug, but not restrictive fit is key for both comfort and support. To get exact measurements you can use to order a brace, grab a flexible tape measure and note the circumference around your leg at three key points: the center of your knee, about six inches above the knee, and six inches below. These measurements help you find a brace that offers snug support without being restrictive.
- Proper Wear: Wear the knee brace during activities that put strain on your knee, like sports, exercise, or daily tasks that require a lot of walking or standing. Some people may opt to wear it throughout the day for extra support, but always follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- Adjusting for Comfort: Don’t just slap it on and go—adjust the straps to avoid pinching and make sure the brace sits correctly on your knee for maximum benefit. Proper alignment ensures that the brace stays in place and provides the support you need.
- Maintenance: Like anything that gets daily use, your knee brace needs to be cleaned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean it regularly and keep it in good shape. Many knee brace suppliers will also usually provide some instructions. This ensures your brace lasts longer and stays fresh for your next round of support.
- Duration of Daily Use: The timing of how long you should be using a brace largely depends on your specific needs. Post-surgery or injury? You might need it for most of the day. Using it for added stability during workouts or activities? Wear it only during those times and allow your muscles the freedom to strengthen themselves without a brace at others. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations to strike the perfect balance between support and giving your knee the freedom it needs to rebuild its strength.
Contraindications
While knee braces can be extremely helpful for support and recovery, they’re not the right choice for everyone. For starters, skin issues like rashes, wounds, or sensitive areas can become worse with constant friction and pressure from a brace.
An improper fit can also spell trouble—a brace that’s too tight might cut off circulation or cause discomfort, while one that’s too loose won’t provide the necessary stability. Additionally, individuals with certain pre-existing conditions, such as poor circulation or specific vascular concerns, may find that a knee brace does more harm than good.
That’s why it’s always wise to consult your physician before making a decision; in many cases, especially if you’ve undergone surgery, you won’t even need to ask your doctor about it, but if you have a milder chronic condition, it’s best to discuss with them whether a brace will benefit.
Get the Right Orthopedic Knee Brace at the medcom group
Your knees work hard to keep you moving, and the right brace can make all the difference in support and recovery. If you’ve just had knee surgery and have questions about our brace products, or you’re ready to order yours, the medcom group has the answers and products you need. Reach out to us today!