A hinged knee brace offers the highest level of lateral knee support and also prevents the knee from hyper extension. The most sophisticated braces of this type also offer the ability to adjust the range of motion of the knee. Patients can use these “pro level” or “range of motion” braces during rehabilitation of a knee injury to gradually increase the joint range of motion as healing progresses.
Within the general category of hinged braces, there are varying degrees of hinge rigidity. This provides for a continuum of levels of support within the category, with increasing support as the hinge rigidity increases. This, however, may happen at the expense of less wearing comfort and greater bulk.
Hinged knee braces are specialized orthopedic devices designed to provide support, stability, and protection to the knee joint.
These braces feature hinges on the sides of the knee, allowing for controlled and limited movement while providing additional stability. The hinges are typically made of metal or durable plastic materials and are strategically placed to align with the natural movement of the knee.
Here’s how hinged knee braces work:
The primary function of a hinged knee brace is to stabilize the knee joint. The hinges provide controlled movement, allowing the knee to flex and extend within a specified range while preventing excessive sideways or rotational movements that may contribute to injury or exacerbate an existing condition. The brace provides stability by limiting excessive motion, helping to protect the ligaments, tendons, and other structures surrounding the knee.
Hinged knee braces offer protection to the knee joint and surrounding tissues. They serve as a physical barrier, reducing the risk of direct impacts or collisions that can cause injury. The brace helps absorb and distribute impact forces, minimizing the risk of contusions, bruises, or fractures.
By providing an additional layer of protection, hinged knee braces can reduce the severity of potential injuries during sports or activities that involve high impact or contact.
Hinged knee braces provide support to the knee by assisting in maintaining proper alignment and preventing abnormal movements. They can help individuals with weakened or injured knees by compensating for instability or muscle imbalances. The braces help offload stress from the injured or compromised structures, reducing pain and discomfort.
The added support provided by the brace promotes better joint alignment and contributes to improved overall knee function.
Hinged knee braces are commonly used in the rehabilitation process following knee injuries or surgeries. They provide support and protection to the healing structures, allowing controlled movement and exercise without compromising the recovery process. The hinges in the brace enable controlled range of motion exercises, allowing for gradual strengthening and flexibility improvement. The brace helps prevent excessive stress or strain on the healing tissues, facilitating a safe and effective rehabilitation protocol.
Hinged knee braces can be customized to suit individual needs and specific conditions. They come in various sizes and designs to accommodate different knee shapes and sizes.
The hinges are usually adjustable, allowing for personalized control over the range of motion and level of support. The customization options enable athletes and individuals with knee injuries to find the right fit and level of support that best suits their requirements.
It’s important to note that hinged knee braces should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They are typically recommended for individuals with specific knee injuries, ligament instability, or as part of a rehabilitation program. The selection and fitting of the brace should be done by a qualified professional to ensure proper function and effectiveness.
Hinged braces are suitable for treating the most serious ligament injuries (i.e. severely stretched, torn or even ruptured ligaments). For example, doctors may recommend them for treatment of a torn ACL or meniscus tear injury suffered by an athlete in a contact sport like football. In addition to providing the highest possible level of support, hinged knee braces allow the knee to move in the most natural way possible, i.e. as similarly as possible to a healthy knee.
In general, hinged knee braces are not as light and low profile as knee stabilizers. The latter generally used lighter materials and less bulky materials in their construction. However, for individuals suffering from severe knee instability, sprains or torn or ruptured ligaments, the additional security and support from a hinged brace more than makes up for the slight loss of mobility.
For additional information on these braces, please read our post on hinged knee brace questions and answers.
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The McDavid Bio-Logix Knee Brace combines a semi rigid lightweight design and bi-lateral aluminium dual axis geared hinges to provide a fluid feel and a natural range of motion.
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Optimal support for knee instability with SlimLok ROM hinge
The Bio Skin CrossFire™ ROM protects the MCL, ACL and other knee ligaments, providing extra stability while limiting unwanted twisting and bending of the knee joint. The hinge is very thin, only ½ inch, while providing flexion and extension lockouts needed for rehabilitation. The Bio Skin material is very comfortable with a highly-compressive single-layer portion surrounding the knee. The Cirrus™ material is sewn in a pre-tensioned manner to prevent bunching behind the knee which ensures a comfortable fit throughout vigorous activity. The brace’s comfort continues into the small details of how it is sewn together; featuring the ActiveSeam™ stitch that prevents unwanted chafing in the more sensitive areas of the knee.
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Knee ligament protection
The Bio Skin Gladiator uses a rigid hinge to effectively protect knee ligaments, including after reconstruction. The rigid strapping system firmly anchors the Gladiator to the leg, avoiding the need for longer, less comfortable braces. Pins in the hinges may easily be set to limit flexion and/or extension.
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Knee Ligament Protection
The Bio Skin Gladiator – Front Closure uses a rigid hinge to effectively protect knee ligaments, including after reconstruction. The rigid strapping system firmly anchors the Gladiator to the leg, avoiding the need for longer, less comfortable braces. Pins in the hinges may easily be set to limit flexion and/or extension.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Green Adjustable Knee Brace offers maximum support for weak knees, injured knees, and arthritic knees. One size. Fits either knee.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace is made of extremely comfortable fabric with maximum medial-lateral support to help protect weak or injured knees. Mueller-exclusive HydraCinn® fabric, Triaxial Hinges, tibial containment system, inner anti-slip strips, flatlock seams, form-fitting hourglass design, fully adjustable and comfortable fit.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Premium Hinged Knee Brace has lightweight and neoprene-free breathable fabric with maximum medial-lateral support to help protect weak or injured knees.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hinged Knee Brace features a triaxial hinge to track your knee’s natural movement. The fitted sleeve slips on and provides maximum medial-lateral support of your weak or injured knee. Fits either knee.
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Lightweight and low profile for comfort
Our Bio Skin Hinged Knee Skin is one of the lightest hinged knee braces available. The offset, bicentric hinges conform to the shape of the leg and provide extra support to knees with ligament damage. The Hinged Knee Skin provides excellent compression to control swelling and pain caused from a meniscus tear or an LCL or MCL injury, and to speed up the healing process in a damaged knee joint.
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Structural support for knee instability
Our Bio Skin Hinged Knee Skin – Front Closure is one of the lightest hinged knee braces available. The offset, bicentric hinges conform to the shape of the leg and provide extra support to knees with ligament damage. The Hinged Knee Skin provides excellent compression to control swelling and pain caused from a meniscus tear or an LCL or MCL injury, and to speed up the healing process in a damaged knee joint.
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The LP Hinged Knee Stabilizer is equipped with hinges that offer maximum protection against ligament damage and an EVA ring to prevent patellar displacement. It is the perfect choice if you are looking to pursue a physically active lifestyle while recovering from an old knee injury.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hinged WrapAround Knee Brace features a triaxial hinge to track your knee’s natural movement. The fitted sleeve slips on and provides maximum medial-lateral support of your weak or injured knee. Fits either knee.
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The McDavid Knee Brace With Dual Disk Hinges has an open 360˚ padded buttress that isolates and supports the patella and bound edges prevent irritation. In addition, a perforated back panel provides heat and moisture management and all-around comfort.
Level 3: Maximum Protection – Moderate medial and lateral support for improving stability; aids in recovery
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The McDavid Knee Brace With Polycentric Hinges has bi-lateral geared polycentric hinges for stability and free movement. Its engineered top and bottom straps assure a personalized fit, which enhances user comfort.
Level 3: Maximum Protection – High-level support; improving medial and lateral stability, helping reduce injury and assist recovery
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Patella subluxation and patellofemoral pain treatment
The Bio Skin Premium J with Conforma Hinge combines function, comfort, and affordability. Constructed from Bio Skin’s breathable materials, the Premium J gives excellent compression without causing discomfort. A buttress on the outside of the patella prevents patella subluxation and knee dislocation. The two elastic straps that cross over the knee help seat the patella in the trochlear groove to increase surface contact area and decrease patellofemoral painPremium J with Conforma Hinge – Protection against patellar subluxation
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With a super strong triaxial hinge that follows the complex motion of the knee and results in near normal motion that standard polycentric dual hinges simply cannot match, the Mueller Sports Medicine Pro Level Hinged Knee Brace equips serious athletes with a high performance brace that offers maximum medial-lateral support. The brace comes with a lockout tool for complete immobilization and adjustable extension stops at 10, 20 and 30 degrees to limit the range of motion when used for rehabilitation purposes.
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Adjustable support for patellofemoral pain
The Bio Skin Q Brace with Conforma Hinge is designed to reduce the pain of mild to moderate patellofemoral problems. The Q Brace’s t-strap places gentle, lateral pressure on the patella to prevent subluxation (dislocation) and to help maintain the patella in its proper position. Constructed from Bio Skin’s breathable materials, the Q Brace with Conforma Hinge gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.
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Adjustable support for patellofemoral pain
The Bio Skin Q Brace with Conforma Hinge – Front Closure is designed to reduce the pain of mild to moderate patellofemoral problems. The Q Brace’s t-strap places gentle, lateral pressure on the patella to prevent subluxation (dislocation) and to help maintain the patella in its proper position. Constructed from Bio Skin’s breathable materials, the Q Brace with Conforma Hinge gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.
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Q Lok – Dynamic Patella Traction System
The Bio Skin Q Lok is designed to diminish the effects and aid in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain. Patellofemoral pain is caused by improper tracking between the patella (knee-cap) and the femur. The superior compression and unique strapping system of the Q Lok push the patella back into the correct position in the trochlear notch at the end of the femur. A properly positioned patella spreads the force in the joint over a large surface and decreases pain and wear on the joint. Constructed from Bio Skin`s breathable materials, the Q Lok gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.
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Q Lok – Dynamic Patella Traction System
The Bio Skin Q Lok Front Closure is designed to diminish the effects and aid in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain. Patellofemoral pain is caused by improper tracking between the patella (knee-cap) and the femur. The superior compression and unique strapping system of the Q Lok push the patella back into the correct position in the trochlear notch at the end of the femur. A properly positioned patella spreads the force in the joint over a large surface and decreases pain and wear on the joint. Constructed from Bio Skin`s breathable materials, the Q Lok gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.
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Maximum patellofemoral pain relief with SlimLok ROM hinge
The Bio Skin Q Lok ROM aids in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral joint while preventing subluxation and further dislocation during everyday activity. The high-level compression and dynamic patella traction strap make this brace ideal for patients suffering from a high Q angle, chronic pain from patella tilt, glide and malalignment. The thin, ½ inch range-of-motion hinge gives the option of limiting flexion and extension of the knee. Comfort is a key feature of this brace with a combination of Bio Skin’s breathable material and an enhanced single-layer lycra portion that is pre-tensioned to prevent chafing, irritation and bunching behind the knee. This Cirrus™ material also enhances the grip of the traction strap to ensure patellar control.
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Silicone ring helps keep swelling off the joint
The Bio Skin Visco Knee Skin with Conforma Hinge is an excellent all-purpose knee support. The Visco gel ring around the patella provides passive massage to remove swelling and decrease knee pain. The brace is comfortable enough to wear all the time and is very useful a few weeks after knee surgery to control swelling and speed recovery. Constructed fromBio Skin’s patented, breathable materials, the Visco Knee Skin gives excellent compression. Finger loops make application easy.
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The LP X-Tremus Knee Brace targets the entire knee and provides maximum support with it’s 3-Dimensional knitting structure and donut shaped silicone pad combined with close circle high-density knitted fabric to improve patella stability.