A knee brace or support is any kind of device which is worn on the knee with the purpose of supporting the joint and preventing knee pain. Knee braces are in wide use amongst many sectors of the community, including those involved in sports and exercise.

Walkers and hikers commonly use knee supports either to prevent an injury, ease knee discomfort or to protect an existing injury. There are so many different types of support out there, how do you know which would be the best for you?

The important factor is knowing why you are getting a knee support in the first place! It is helpful to know exactly what the problem with the knee is and so a trip to a professional who can assess your knee pain is highly recommended. Once you know what is causing your pain it will be easier to work out what kind of support you need.

The types of support available vary considerably, but there are 3 important considerations:

1)      How much support do you need?

2)      What material is it made out of?

3)      Is there patella support?

How much support do you need?

Knee supports come with variable amounts of support. This is usually dictated by the amount of metal they contain, although various straps and other features can make a difference. A hinged knee brace is the most supportive type, which is used when there is some degree of instability at the joint. These are commonly used in ligament tears and cartilage injuries.

Stabilised supports have more lightweight metal stays or springs which are embedded into the sides of the support. These provide some resistance against twisting and sideways movements at the knee, although not as much as the hinged versions. On the plus side they tend to be more lightweight and not as bulky. These may be used when there is little to no instability at the knee, such as mild ligament injuries and arthritis.

A simple knee support is also an option for walkers. These contain no metal parts and mainly provide heat retention and compression. The benefits of this are maintaining muscle and joint warmth, flexibility, blood flow and reducing swelling. These are ideal for minor aches and pains.

What material is it made out of?

Neoprene is the most commonly used material in knee supports, due to its excellent heat retention and compression properties. This material is particularly good for easing arthritic pain.

However, the drawback with neoprene is that for exercise and in warmer climates, they do get quite hot and dare I say it….sweaty! So, if going on a walking holiday in Spain, in August, this may not be for you!

Other more breathable material supports are available, such as elasticated and Kevlar supports, although these are much more limited. Latex allergies must also be considered, as neoprene may not be suitable.

Is there Patella support?

Pain around the knee cap, especially on walking down hills and stairs is a common complaint. In a lot of cases, this is due to excess movement at the kneecap, known as patellofemoral syndrome, or patella mal-tracking.

If excess (usually lateral – outer) movement of the knee cap is an issue, then wearing a support with a patella buttress may help. Usually these will be open at the front and will have either a circular, U-shaped of J shaped area of padding around or to the outside of the knee cap. This helps to prevent the patella from moving too far from its natural line.

By following these three steps you should be able to identify which knee support would be most suitable for you and your injury.

Still not sure? Visit http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Supports_And_Braces/Knee_Supports for a wide range of knee supports and expert advice available over the phone or online chat!

Visit Sportsinjuryclinic.net for more information on knee pain and knee injuries including knee strengthening exercises and rehabilitation programs.