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Supports & Braces

Knee Supports & Knee Braces Buyer's Guide

When choosing a knee support, the type and severity of injury that you have is critical to choosing the correct support.

A knee support may be used after an injury or surgery when returning to sport or work. Alternatively a support may help prevent injury and excessive load if sport or daily activities stress the knee on a regular basis.

Hinged Knee Braces

If you've damaged your Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) or Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), then it's essential for a knee brace to provide as much support as possible, whilst making movement easy.

For injuries of this type, a Hinged Knee Brace is appropriate, as it provides maximum knee support, without hindering movement. For these reasons, Hinged Knee Braces, notably those that can be locked at a set angle, can be particularly useful for skiers or snowboarders, especially those with a history of knee injury, who wish to avoid aggravation or re-occurrence of the injury. Hinged knee braces also provide the highest level of support for torn cartilage injuries and following knee cartilage surgery.

Hinged Knee Braces

Premium Knee Braces

The best Knee Braces on the market, PhysioRoom.com's Premium Knee Braces provide the highest level of support for knee instability caused by knee injury, knee surgery or osteoarthritis. Our rigid Premium Knee Braces feature frames constructed from the finest aircraft grade aluminium, giving them immense strength whilst remaining extremely light-weight. Available in a wide range of sizes for the perfect fit, these top-of-the-range knee braces have specialised straps and padding that provide maximum support along with incredible comfort, thus allowing you to get on with every day and sporting activities. Knee braces are extremely effective to wear whilst undergoing rehabilitation exercises prescribed by a Physiotherapist. The support will allow pain relief and reassurance as the muscles strengthen and flexibility returns to the joint. Most Premium Knee Braces can be worn with specialised accessories that reduce any possibility of chafing, discomfort or pinching, whilst providing extra protection to the knee joint and brace.

Premium Knee Braces

Hinge-Free Knee Braces

Hinge-Free Braces provide a moderate level of support for injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) or Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), as well as knee cartilage injuries. They also give general support to the knee during winter sports and other sporting activities that place high demands on the structures around the knee joint. Previous cartilage injuries or post-knee surgery can predispose to muscle weakness around the knee and reluctance to return to activity. While the level of support provided by Hinge-Free Knee Braces is not as firm as that provided by the hinged type, these knee braces tend to be lighter, less bulky and easier to put on and remove, making them appropriate for use where the knee injury is less serious, or the sporting situation is less demanding. Used alongside a Physiotherapy programme to rehabilitate the function of the knee, a brace can be effective in speeding up recovery from injury and returning to sport or activity.

Hinge-Free Knee Braces Product Range

ACL Knee Braces

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) plays a major role in maintaining knee joint stability, so an ACL injury leaves the joint feeling weak and unstable. An ACL Knee Brace can restore knee joint stability, preventing the feeling that the knee is going to 'give way'. Together with physiotherapy treatment, an ACL Knee Brace can be perfectly sufficient in maintaining knee stability, for less active individuals. A knee brace is also helpful in more active individuals, who decide to have ACL reconstruction knee surgery. Modern Knee Braces, especially those which feature hinges, provide stability without compromising knee movement. They are an extremely effective tool to use alongside a Physiotherapy led rehabilitation plan. Braces will help to reduce pain and give peace of mind whilst exercises are performed to restore movement, muscle strength and control to allow a return to sporting activities.

ACL Knee Braces Product Range

Arthritis Knee Braces

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain and knee swelling that usually manifests itself in middle age. Knee arthritis is characterised by progressive knee joint degeneration that may be due to knee overuse, or secondary to a knee injury, such as a ligament or cartilage injury. Many people find that wearing an Arthritis Knee Brace can help provide support and reassurance. A brace is effective in promoting mobility in the joint and preventing it from 'giving way' whilst undergoing Physiotherapy rehabilitation to improve muscle strength and control. As arthritis of the knee tends to be more painful during cold winter months, a Neoprene Support is often helpful as, in addition to support, it provides soothing warmth to the joint.

Arthritis Knee Braces Product Range

Skiing and Snowboarding Knee Braces

Injuries to the knee joint, most commonly to the medial and anterior cruciate ligaments, account for around one-third of all skiing and snowboarding injuries. Knee braces increase the resistance to forces applied to the knee ligaments by about 30%. They also offer added support to previously injured knees and help prevent the re-occurrence of a knee ligament injury. Therefore, all skiers and snowboarders are recommended to wear a Knee Brace to reduce their risk of injury, especially if there is a history of knee ligament damage or knee instability, in which case a Hinged Knee Brace will provide greater support and protection.

Skiing and Snowboarding Knee Braces Product Range

Sports' Knee Supports

Knee Supports improve knee stability during sports, especially following cartilage, medial (inside) and lateral (outside) ligament injuries. Many of our supports are made from Neoprene and feature flexible stays or springs and an open kneecap that provide support and ventilation, without the restriction of a metal hinge. Neoprene is a material that provides not only excellent support (even without stays or springs), because it stretches in all directions allowing unhampered movement during sports. The material also provides warmth, owing to its excellent heat-retention and insulation qualities.

Sports' Knee Supports Product Range

Knee Straps

Jumper's Knee (also known as Patella Tendonitis) and Osgood Schlatters are painful overuse injuries that affect the bones and tendons in and around the knee. A patella stabiliser is an adjustable knee strap that is fitted around the knee, just below the patella (knee cap). The four large Quadriceps muscles converge to attach on a relatively small focal area, for their size, below the knee via the Patella tendon. This strap exerts pressure on the patella tendon, preventing maximum force being transmitted through it, thus reducing the strain on the tendon and alleviating the symptoms of Jumper’s Knee and Osgood Schlatters.

Runner's Knee is a painful overuse injury affecting the outside of the knee, which is common in runners and cyclists. With repeated bending and straightening of the knee, the Ilio Tibial Band (a length of taut, fibrous tissue that connects the hip and knee) can rub against the bulbous base of the femur, causing inflammation and pain. A Knee Strap applies a compressive force above and below the knee, correcting its alignment, thus reducing the strain and friction that cause Runner's Knee.

Knee Straps Product Range

Patella Stabilisers

Patella Stabiliser Knee Braces support the kneecap (Patella) and allow it to track normally during running and other sporting activities. The Donjoy Hinged TRU PULL Advanced Knee Brace is a high quality knee brace with an open kneecap that relieves pain around the Patella (Patellofemoral Pain) and increases knee stability following full or partial dislocation. Patella Stabilisers are perfect for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (pain around the knee cap). Patella Stabilisers are excellent for sports, especially running, and during rehabilitation, where there is a history of knee instability such as kneecap subluxation or dislocation.

Patella Stabilisers Product Range

Neoprene Allergies

If you're one of the small number of people who are allergic to Neoprene, then Donjoy use a polyester and nylon fabric called Drytex. This has all the benefits of Neoprene, and is very lightweight - perfect for use in sports, without any worries about an allergic reaction.

We have a range of knee supports that are suitable for a range of sports and exercise including football (soccer), rugby, running, martial arts, basketball and netball. These braces are suitable for all knee ligament injuries and meniscus tears, so be sure to take a look at our Sports Knee Supports to find the right support for you. Alternatively if you are looking for a product that can help you with the prevention and rehabilitation of ACL and other knee ligament injuries, then look no further than our range of Hinged Knee Braces .

What is the best knee support?

Each knee support and brace that we offer here at PhysioRoom is designed for a specific knee injury or condition. All knee supports and braces are have different designs and purposes, therefore there isn't one standalone knee support that is regarded as 'the best'. That's why we offer a wide range of knee supports and braces from sports knee straps and sports knee supports, to ACL knee braces and post-operation knee braces.

Hinged Knee Braces are ideal for both recovering from medial collateral ligament injuries (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament injuries (LCL). It can also be used to support arthritic knee joints. Also, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries may get more support from the elite PhysioRoom Hinged Knee Brace due to the configuration of its straps.

Our range of Arthritis Knee Braces are designed to provide support and relieve the pain & symptoms of arthritis in the knee.

Are knee supports effective?

The effectiveness of a knee support completely depends on the type of knee injury that you have sustained, and whether or not you have the correct support for the problem. The evidence from the use of knee supports is inconclusive and larger, higher quality studies are needed. There is however strong evidence for the use of graded loading and strengthening exercises in the pain management of a variety of knee conditions (including arthritis).

A knee support is used as an aid in the management of your condition. It is hoped that the support and confidence that it provides you, will enable you to keep active and commence strengthening exercises for your knee. In acute injuries you will usually start with a supportive hinged brace and then gradually wean down to an unhinged brace or compression sleeve as your knee improves.

Do knee sleeves work?

As knee sleeves provide valuable compression, pain and swelling in the knee can be substantially reduced when wearing a knee sleeve in conjunction with gentle exercise. However, if you are looking for a product that can help protect and provide stability for a previous knee injury that you have sustained, you will need a knee support or brace that will provide a higher level of support.

What are knee supports used for?

Knee supports are designed to offer different levels of support and can be found in all different shapes and sizes. Some supports are made from neoprene and offer additional support and breathability whilst playing sports, whereas others like the Donjoy Armor Forcepoint offer protection after specific ligament injuries such as ACL or PCL damage.

With any knee pain, you should seek an assessment with a Chartered Physiotherapist to identify individual weaknesses or biomechanical issues that could be leading to pain. Strengthening the Gluteal muscles or improving ankle stability can help to address knee pain and improve stability. However, in the meantime wearing a brace can help to protect the knee from further harm and offload the stress it endures in day-to-day activities. Physioroom offers a large range of knee supports that can help reduce pain and discomfort from many knee injuries and allow healing to begin.

Can a knee brace help with a meniscus tear?

A torn meniscus can be an extremely painful injury. Wearing a knee brace can help to protect the meniscus from further damage & pain while supporting the structures around the knee to prevent the "giving way" sensation of the knee. A hinged knee brace is ideal as it offers protection and provides stability to the joint.

Is it OK to wear a knee support all the time?

If your pain levels allow, it is a good idea to give yourself a break during the day from wearing a knee support. Like any brace, a knee support provides external support that can mean your body becomes reliant on that extra support and if it is worn full-time, the muscles, ligaments and tendons can weaken as a result. To prevent this happening, taking breaks from wearing a knee brace throughout the day is recommended and unless you're in excruciating pain at night, it can be taken off in bed and the use of a pillow may be enough to support the leg.

If knee pain persists, it is a good idea to seek an assessment from a Chartered Physiotherapist who can identify individual weaknesses and biomechanical issues that may be leading to knee pain. If the root causes are identified and addressed, the long-term injury risk will be reduced and function much improved.

How can I tell if I tore my MCL?

The Medial Collateral ligament (MCL) is a ligament that runs along the inside of your knee and can be injured with twisting movements that can lead to symptoms of instability, pain and giving way. The best way to diagnose an MCL injury is to seek an assessment by a Chartered Physiotherapist to diagnose the injury and differentiate the problem from other possible causes. Hinged Knee Supports can help reinforce and protect the MCL after injury. Depending on the extent of the injury, the MCL may heal without the need for an operation, so using an external support can help to enhance the recovery process by improving circulation, reducing pain and preventing additional load or stress on the ligament.