Knee braces can help stabilize your knee joint, allowing your kneecap to track correctly. They also can provide support and prevent injury. Certain braces purposefully restrict movement. However, your doctor can recommend braces that move with you and are fairly comfortable to wear while participating in sports or other activities. Studies have examined the effects of bracing on limb movement and encourage technology to improve the mobility of these devices.
Purpose of Braces
Braces are used for a variety of purposes. Your doctor may recommend one type after surgery to keep your knee stable. He may choose a different type of brace in lieu of a surgical procedure to repair a torn ligament. Runner's knee, or patellofemoral pain, is characterized by front knee pain. If symptoms do not improve after rest and rehabilitation, your doctor may recommend a brace while running to maintain proper kneecap movement.
Effect of Different Braces on Exercise
In an April 2011 study published in "Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy," 24 subjects were instructed to wear a variety of braces. Researchers examined brace performance through dynamic balance, jumping, proprioception, coordination and maximal force testing. Results found the hinged "H" buttress knee brace to be more effective than other braces in balance tests, while the drytex economy, hinged knee brace allowed for the best proprioception -- or the awareness of your body's position in space -- and maximal force application. Researchers concluded that braces can effectively improve certain fitness parameters. However, they recommend matching the proper brace to the individual according to his fitness level.
Knee Braces and Sprinting
An adjustment period may be necessary when you begin wearing your brace. Testing the brace while running is an effective way to determine the most optimal positioning. The "Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness" published a study in December 2010 that sought to determine if knee braces hindered sprinting performance. Researchers found that after Day 3 of bracing, participants turned in times similar to sprints on days without braces. Braces not only allow free movement during sprinting, but they also don't tire your muscles. This study found that wearing a brace led to lower muscle fatigue levels.
Types of Braces
A plethora of braces exist to stabilize and protect your knee joint. Choosing the right type for your injury and activity is essential. Prophylactic braces are meant to protect your knee during contact sports, such as football. Functional braces provide support to old injuries, while rehabilitative braces limit harmful movement after a surgery or injury. Arthritis sufferers may use an unloader or offloader brace to relieve stress on the knee joint. Talk to your doctor about your knee condition to determine which type of brace is right for you.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Knee Bracing
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)
- "Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy"; The Effect of Prophylactic Knee Bracing on Performance; G. Baltaci, et al.; April 2011
- "Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness"; Functional Knee Brace Use by Noninjured Subjects; N. Rishiraj, et al.; December 2010
