Types of Knee Braces & How They Can Help Your Injury

If there is lot of pressure on the bones and ligaments of the knees, you are more likely to get a knee injury. Types of sports that can cause this are American football, rugby, hockey and soccer.

And as people age in combination with their high impact sports history, the probability of problems increases as ligaments weaken and the knee starts to become less resistant.

Knee braces may be able to help you in these situations.

What types of knee braces are there and how can they help your injury? There are 3 main types of knee braces that are used for a variety of issues.

A post-operative brace is a functional brace which assures that the knee heals and is not overused.

The purpose of a functional knee brace is to assist or accommodate basic knee functions. The way the knee usually moves is how the brace also operates.

Finally, a protective (or prophylactic) brace is used for healthy knee joints and is a preventative measure against possible injuries which may occur in high impact sports for example.

A debate exists between physicians on the effectiveness of protective knee braces are and that they are actually bad for healthy knees.

Overall, it does appear that knee braces are an effective way to protect the joints and ligaments in certain contexts like high contact sports.

The symptoms of a knee injury will vary depending on the injured structure.

Common Types of knee injuries are; Patella tracking disorder. This occurs when the kneecap (patella) shifts out of place as the leg bends or straightens. You may experience popping, clicking or grinding noises as you run or walk.

Patellofemoral syndrome (PFPS), also known as chondromalacia patella or runner's knee. This is a common knee condition which occurs from injury to the patella or from friction between the patella and the groove in the femur (thigh bone). This pain can get worse when sitting for long periods, climbing stairs or kneeling for long periods.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IBT), which is a injury to the thigh typically associated with athletic activities such as running, cycling, hiking, or weightlifting. If you have IBT, you will feel pain to the outside of the knee just above the joint.

Patellar tendonitis (or jumper's knee). This injury occurs when the tendon and tissues that surround it, become inflamed. Usually from overuse particularly in jumping activities. It will cause pain directly over the patellar tendon.

If in doubt, a medical professional who has examined your knees can determine the most suitable knee brace for you. This also depends on your age, type of injury, pre-injury mobility, interventions available and your overall activity levels.