Why wear a knee brace? We tell you everything
Whether you are an athlete or not, in the rehabilitation phase or facing chronic pain, different types of knee braces can play a key role in your daily life. These medical devices offer targeted support for various needs: ligament injuries, osteoarthritis or inflammation. Here's how they can help.
Understanding the role of a knee brace
Knee pads provide joint support, help reduce pain1 and promote recovery in the event of injuries or specific pathologies. By applying compression, they can help reduce pain and edema2, stabilize the joint, and improve proprioception, which is the perception of your knee's position in space.
They can be used after an injury to protect your joint3, when resuming activity, or on a daily basis for chronic pain. Their effectiveness is based on a design adapted to each need : stabilization, discharge, maintenance and immobilization.
How to choose a knee brace?
The choice of a knee brace depends on several factors: the nature of your problem (injury, chronic pathology or general pain), your level of activity and your goals (prevention or treatment). Here are the main categories of knee pads, organized according to the pathologies they treat:
1. For ligament injuries: support after sprains or instability
Ligament injuries, such as sprains, often require reinforced support to limit excessive movement and promote recovery2. Ligament knee pads provide targeted stabilization by reducing mechanical stress on weakened ligaments and preventing abnormal joint movements.
In the event of a severe sprain, immobilization splints are more appropriate.
2. For osteoarthritis of the knee: relieve joint pressure
In osteoarthritis, relief knee pads help redistribute pressure by reducing the load on painful areas, improving mobility and comfort in everyday life4. They are particularly useful for patients with knee osteoarthritis, especially during prolonged activities while standing or walking.
3. For inflammation: tendonitis or patellar pain
Inflammations, whether tendonitis or misalignment of the patella, are given targeted support with specially designed knee pads to realign and stabilize the kneecap while reducing strain on the tendons.
4. For general pain or chronic knee instability
Moderate pain or mild joint instability of the knee can be alleviated with simple compressive knee pads5. They offer support for the knee joint, making them a suitable solution for resuming sports activity or daily use.
Knee brace: for what purpose?
In the context of sport
Knee braces can play a preventive role6 in the face of the risk of recurrence of injuries. Knee braces limit sudden movements that can aggravate injuries, such as on the cruciate ligaments, especially in physical activities such as football, basketball or skiing. Wearing a knee brace can help stabilize the knee and support the return to activity after an injury.
In case of knee pain
Whether for occasional or chronic pain, knee braces help stabilize the joint and relieve tension1,2. They are an effective complement to rehabilitation exercises and medical follow-up 7.
For the prevention of recurrence of injuries or the prevention of injuries to already weakened joints
Wearing a knee brace can be an effective way to prevent recurrence of injuries in risky activities.6 They stabilize the joint, increase proprioception and limit excessive movement.
How to put on and adjust a knee brace?
For proper effectiveness, make sure that the product is in your size (pay attention to the laterality of some models) and that your ball head is correctly positioned in the intended opening (if applicable). Adjust the straps (if applicable) for a firm but comfortable fit. It is advisable to seek the advice of a health professional to choose and use your knee brace correctly.
Maintenance and durability
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the durability and hygiene of your knee brace. Follow model-specific recommendations, including washing at low temperatures, to maintain performance.
Sources:
Bishop, E., Kuntze, G., Clark, M., & Ronsky, J. (2023). Tricompartment offloader knee brace reduces sagittal plane knee moments, quadriceps muscle activity, and pain during chair rise and lower in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.. Medical engineering & physics, 114, 103975 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2023.103975.
Sprouse, R., McLaughlin, A., & Harris, G. (2018). Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions.. American family physician, 98 10, 570-576 .
Dzidotor, G., Moorhead, J., Ude, C., Ogueri, K., & Laurencin, C. (2023). Functions and Effectiveness of Prophylactic, Functional, and Rehabilitative Knee Orthoses: a Review. Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40883-023-00306-0.
Swami, P., Mehra, S., & Saharawat, S. (2024). A Literature Review on the Impact of Knee Orthoses in Managing Osteoarthritis: Efficacy and Patient Outcomes. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research. https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20241045.
Cudejko, T., Van der Esch, M., Van Der Leeden, M., Roorda, L., Pallari, J., Bennell, K., Lund, H., & Dekker, J. (2018). Effect of Soft Braces on Pain and Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 99 1, 153-163 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2017.04.029.
Yueh, K., & Huang, J. (2024). Brace Use for ACL Injury Prevention in Soccer: Impacts on Rehabilitation and Performance. Journal of Student Research. https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i1.5970.
Berteau, J. (2022). Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Recent Evidence on Physical Therapy Interventions. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11123252. Yueh, K., & Huang, J. (2024). Brace Use for ACL Injury Prevention in Soccer: Impacts on Rehabilitation and Performance. Journal of Student Research. https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i1.5970
