Overview
At some point, most runners will experience some form of knee pain or injury. Braces may aid in pain reduction and provide structural support following injury. It is important to determine which brace is appropriate based on the injury sustained.
1. Patellar Stabilizing Brace
Patellar tracking injuries or pain arises when the patella, also known as the kneecap, does not properly track in the groove of the femur, or thigh bone, leading to pain and friction. A patellar stabilizing brace is designed to help provide optimal patellar tracking. Typically these braces will have a strap, or block, to hold the patella in place as the knee moves through its range of motion.
2. Neoprene Brace
Neoprene is a stretchy material which also has the ability to insulate a joint. Neoprene braces are varied and serve multiple purposes. Some neoprene braces are simply sleeves which provide compression and retain heat. Some neoprene braces incorporate hinges or patellar stabilizers. Determining which neoprene brace is best is decided by the specific injury being treated.
3. Functional Knee Brace
Designed to provide stability and support following injury or reconstruction of the ACL/PCL/LCL, The Functional ACL Knee Brace features a lightweight sturdy frame lined with durable soft goods for the combination of optimum support and comfort. This is the perfect brace for those active patients needing additional support during recovery. And recommended for low to medium impact sports.
Best For:
* Running * Basketball * Baseball * Football * Lacrosse
* Hockey * Snowwboarding/Skiing * Soccer * Tennis * Volleyball
4. Knee Bands
When a runner develops pain in the patellar tendon, the region just below the kneecap, sometimes a simple knee band will help relieve the pain. Bands are straps which go around the circumference of the knee, and relieve strain and stress on the tendon, potentially decreasing pain. These bands are commonly used to treat tendinitis, runner’s knee and Osgood Schlatter’s disease.
5. Hinged Brace
Hinged knee braces are typically bigger and provide more support than a neoprene brace. These braces provide more stability and are more rigid. Hinged braces may be customized to fit an individual and are often worn after knee surgery. Some hinged braces are designed to limit range of motion at different degrees of movement, and some are adjustable, while others are standard.
Considerations
While knee braces help provide support and may help decrease pain, braces will not take the place of proper strengthening or rehabilitation for injuries. Rather, braces should be viewed as an aid, not the only solution to a problem. A qualified healthcare professional will recommend and potentially prescribe an appropriate knee brace based on a specific injury.
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10 comments
Eileen W.
@3 This brace provides a good tight fit supporting the knee. It stays in place while i am playing basketball, and if you need a good brace for support, this will be a excellent choice. I think you will find it a good choice for a brace. The company followed up with me after my order to inquire about my satisfaction. This is excellent customer service!!!
M. Scott
@3 I fell in love with this brace! highly recommend I have already told several people to buy this product. It works well, helped me with a bad knee.
Roget T32
I bought the brace 2 weeks ago because of ACL pain. Wear it for play football and it has reduced my knee pain at least 70-80 percent. I would recommend it for anyone with ACL knee pain.
William
@Soroush good question ,I was looking for the best Knee braces for sport For a long time , I have tested about 10 product, and I have my favourite one ofcourse, But my answer is to decide yourself which is the best for you needs, because the market is very large and there are many high quality knee support , and of course there is a battle between big brands to gain the customers faith.
Soroush Baghdadi
What’s the best knee brace for running with a torn ACL.?
jay
i have osteoarthritis on insides of my knees. I have two unloader type braces. They are worthless for running. That little strip of metal on the outside of knee, flexes too much under a running gait and my femurs bang against my tibulas resulting in great pain for days after just a short distance of “running”. Do you make such a brace with four straps and metal on both sides extending to top and bottom straps? Kinda like standard motocross motorcycle knee braces?
John M. Carsel
I love this brace. I wear it primarily when I’m playing racquetball. It enables my arthritic and meniscus challenged knee to play (I wear a small neoprene sleeve under it on the knee only). Without it I would be seeing the surgeon for a partial knee replacement. It is a fantastic product. When the racquetball players in the locker room heard the price they all demanded more information so they could replace some of their $1600 braces with this one when theirs wear out. I can’t speak highly enough about this product.
Gary Willer
The Orthomen Knee Brace seems to be working really well. Been wearing it for three weeks now and it allows me to walk normally with minimal pain all day. Walking without the brace would leave me limping within one hour, so this is a huge improvement. Workmanship and materials seem fine. Very comfortable once you get used to it, and it is almost unnoticeable under normal pants.
Guillermo Gutierrez
I need a great knee brace……
William Brooks
I got the Orthomen OA Unloader Knee Brace 3 weeks ago. It works pretty good! I would recommend it for anyone.