Whether you need a knee brace to help recover from an injury, or for additional support to prevent an injury from occurring, there are countless options available. With so many different choices, it can often be difficult to determine exactly which one will provide for your needs as best as possible. So, do you know where to start when you’re in need of a knee brace?
Familiarize Yourself With Various Types of Knee Braces
Knee braces come in all different types, and should always be carefully selected based upon the injury that you might have sustained, how long you will need to wear the brace, and other factors that might be unique to your situation alone. Without making the proper selection, it is quite likely that you won’t experience the relief that you so desperately seek. Therefore, you need to be familiar with all of the basic types of knee braces including:
Unloader Brace
- Prophylactic Knee Brace – Generally, these knee braces are ideal for use with sports injuries or other conditions that can cause stiffening in your knee. One feature that you can expect on these braces is hinges, allowing you to remain functional while also providing your injury with maximum support.
- Functional Knee Braces – Functional knee braces are most frequently used after you sustain any type of injury to your knee. The actual type of knee brace will depend upon the severity of your injury, however it is extremely effective at reducing discomfort and preventing another injury from occurring while you’re healing.
- Rehabilitative Knee Braces – These braces are most frequently used after surgery, as they severely restrict the movement of your knee during the recovery period. A rehabilitative brace is typically used for only six or eight weeks following your procedure, and is quite rigid as it is intended to provide a high level of protection to your knee while it is healing.
- Unloader and Offloader Knee Braces – When you need to reduce pain in your knee, these braces are the best option for you. Often custom-designed, unloader and offloader braces are intended to limit movement from side to side while providing support to relieve any discomfort that you might be experiencing.
Choose Your Knee Brace With Careful Consideration
When you need a knee brace after surgery, injury, or to prevent any other complications, researching your options is extremely important. With so many varieties and factors to take into consideration, you can choose the correct brace that will facilitate healing and help you get back on your feet in no time.
