An injured or unstable knee can cause great pain and interfere with an otherwise active person's daily life. If you have experienced a mild knee injury or are hoping to prevent knee damage, you might consider wearing a knee brace. Knee braces, particularly elastic knee braces, are designed to encourage stability in the knee while promoting flexibility and comfort.
Functions of an Elastic Brace
Patients use elastic knee braces for four chief functions. These include prophylactic braces, which are for injury prevention; functional braces, which support an injured knee; rehabilitative braces, which help the knee to heal after surgery or injury; and patelloformal braces, which prevent the kneecap from dislocating.
Basic Structure
An elastic knee brace is made of a stretchy material, typically cotton or a cotton blend, that is designed to let the skin breathe more easily while wicking sweat away from the knee. The material will compress the skin, yet not be so restrictive that the knee cannot move. The brace is pulled on, and often covers both the top of the kneecap and extends several inches below the kneecap.
Benefits
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, elastic knee braces provide a number of benefits. These include reduction of impact to the knee, particularly for athletes; reduced rotation during exercise; and reduction of injuries, particularly to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), when worn during activity.
Drawbacks
While elastic knee braces provide benefits, they also can have activity-related drawbacks. These include providing a false sense of security for the person performing the exercise. A person may think the knee brace enables them to perform an activity that their body cannot support. Wearing a knee brace also can affect a person's agility and speed, which may be useful in injury prevention, particularly when a person is playing a sport.
Proper Fit
A physician or physical therapist may recommend a particular kind of knee brace in an attempt to properly fit the brace. A longer brace typically is preferred as a longer brace provides greater MCL protection. It is possible to purchase an elastic knee brace over the counter; however, custom elastic braces can be created to care for a person's specific injury or condition. The knee brace should fit tightly, but it should not restrict circulation in any way.
