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Home » Orthopedic Bracing & Support » Knee Brace » Page 3

Knee Brace

Choosing The Right Knee Brace

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A knee brace (or knee splint) can be used to relieve and heal a wide range of common causes of knee pain. Whether you are suffering from a case of patellar tendonitis, a torn meniscus or a torn ACL, you will find a great choice for pain relief below. Knee braces are also sometimes also called knee supports, although we prefer to reserve this term for a particular sub category, which we discuss below.

However, knee splints are not all the same – they come in a vast number of styles, types and sizes. To make the best choice, there are a number of important questions to consider, which we outline below.

Knee Brace Questions

Key questions for medical professionals to ask when selecting a knee brace include the following. Please read our post on general knee brace questions & answers for more information.

What type of brace is best for the condition I want to treat?

There are basically five types of knee brace that can be purchased “off the shelf”- hinged braces, knee stabilizers/supports, knee sleeves, knee straps, patella stabilizers and offloading knee braces. As an alternative to getting a knee brace “off the shelf”, you can also have one custom made.

Hinged Knee Braces

Hinged knee braces will offer the maximum lateral knee support (protection from tearing or overstretching of ligaments on either the inside or outside of the knee). They will also allow the patient to maintain the most natural knee movement possible. Hinged braces are most useful for severe knee instability problems such as those caused by torn knee ligaments or meniscus tear injuries. These types of injuries are unfortunately relatively common in contact sports or in sports requiring sharp changes in direction or speed of running.

Please read our post on hinged knee brace questions and answers if you need more information on this type of brace.

Knee Stabilizers/Supports

A knee stabilizer will be an appropriate choice to treat mild knee injuries such as moderate knee sprains (when the ligament has been overstretched and not torn). These braces don’t have hinges but are instead equipped with metal or plastic stays or metal springs along the sides to provide some lateral knee stability (although not as much as you would get from a hinged knee brace).

If you don’t have a severe knee instability problem but would just like to walk, run or play sports with increased confidence in your knee, you may find that a simple knee support or stabilizer is best suited for your needs.

Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves come without either hinges or metal/plastic stays or springs, so they do not provide any lateral knee support. They are an appropriate choice if you are looking for warmth and compression to improve circulation and treat a mild knee injury. They should also be considered if you wish to reduce the risk of a knee injury while walking or running or if you are participating in an athletic event.

Knee Straps

Knee straps are used to apply pressure to specific areas of the knee joint. For example, if you are suffering from patellar tendinitis, you can use a knee strap to apply pressure to the patellar tendon situated just below your patella or knee cap. Alternatively you can wear a knee strap above your knee to apply pressure to your iliotibial band and reduce the friction as it moves across the bony protusion on your outer knee.

Patella Stabilizers

Patella stabilizers (also called patella braces) are designed to help prevent patella instability problems like subluxation and/or tilting. The main feature of these braces is usually a buttress around the knee cap that helps keep it properly seated in the knee’s trochlear groove. These braces can sometimes include other features as well, such as metal stays or springs to provide lateral joint stability.

Unloader Knee Braces

Unloader knee braces are useful in treating cases of knee osteoarthritis when the cartilage between the thigh and shin bones has deteriorated to the point at which the bones are making direct contact with each other. The result of this is considerable knee pain when walking or placing weight on the knee. An unloader brace is designed to shift the point of contact between these two bones from an area of cartilage deterioration to one with healthier cartilage, reducing pain in the process.

Using an unloader knee brace will help to defer the time at which a knee replacement operation may be needed. In fact it may actually eliminate the need for a knee replacement by deferring the time when one may be needed beyond the patient’s remaining life expectancy.

Please read our post on unloading knee braces if you would ike more detailed information on this type of brace.

Custom Made Knee Braces

As an alternative to an off the shelf brace, custom knee braces are also available, albeit at a significantly higher cost. Although these braces are not among those available on this site, they may be the appropriate choice if the medical professional treating the patient feels that his or her knee injury is untypical of those for which off the shelf braces are intended.

What type of knee brace closure should I get?

There are essentially two closure styles available – slip on and wraparound. The former is put on (as the name implies) by inserting your foot through the opening of the brace and pulling it up over your leg. This type of brace is normally sized since the fit must be precisely determined in order to get the best support.

Wraparound braces, on the other hand, can be placed either in front of or behind the knee. You then adjust this brace using its Velcro straps. This type of knee splint is well suited for individuals with compromised manual dexterity or strength. Individuals with certain neurological conditions are examples.

Wraparound (also called front closure) knee braces are also a good choice for individuals with unusual knee or leg shapes. They normally use Velcro enclosures that provide the versatility needed to adapt to such shapes.

Should my brace have an open or closed patella?

A closed patella brace will give your kneecap the same support as provided to the rest of your knee.

Open patella knee braces relieve the pressure on the knee cap and are generally more comfortable. They include knee splints with buttresses that provide maximum support for the patella to assist with patella tracking problems. The greater comfort level of these braces can be a great help with patient compliance (making it easier for the patient to wear the brace as much as he/she needs to for it to be effective).

What size of brace does the patient need?

Sizes can be measured in various ways but the correct size is essential if the brace is to function as intended. If the brace is too large, it may not provide the degree of compression and/or support the patient needs. On the other hand, if it is too tight and uncomfortable, the patient may not be able to wear it for extended periods. This would then compromise its therapeutic effectiveness.

One good rule of thumb if you find yourself between sizes is to use the larger size.

Please bear these questions in mind as you browse our selection of knee splints below. For more information, please consult our posts on choosing a knee brace for basket ball, choosing a knee support for running or on choosing the best knee brace for running. Other useful information may be found in our post on choosing a knee brace for a meniscus tear or on how an ACL brace aids recovery from ACL injury.

Suggested Knee Brace Products

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Type of Injury

Back Of Knee Pain(6)
Chondromalacia(9)
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness(1)
IT Band Syndrome(1)
Knee Arthritis(12)
Knee Bursitis(5)
Knee Hyperextension Injury(8)
Knee Joint Instability(32)
Knee Joint Swelling(11)
Knee Osteoarthritis(6)
Knee Pain(9)
Knee Popping Sound(10)
Knee Tendonitis(7)
LCL Tear(5)
Ligament Sprain(1)
MCL Tear(5)
Meniscus Tear(9)
Osgood Schlatter Disease(4)
Osteoarthritis(6)
Patella Tracking(9)
Patellar Subluxation(20)
Patellar Tendinitis(10)
Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis(4)
Patellofemoral Syndrome(3)
PCL Injury(2)
Runners Knee(1)
Sore Knees(1)
Sprained Knee(19)
Torn ACL(2)

Brand

BioSkin®(21)
LP® Support(8)
McDavid®(16)
Mueller® Sports Medicine(23)
ProBand®(1)

Product Category

Hinged Knee Brace(24)
Knee Sleeve(10)
Knee Stabilizer(26)
Knee Strap(6)
Patella Stabilizer(2)
Unloader Knee Brace(1)

Price Range

In Stock

Premium J with Conforma Hinge
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Pro Level Hinged Knee Brace
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Q Baby
Knee Strap
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Petallar tendonitis and osgood-schlatter disease treatment
The BioSkin Q Baby Patella Tendon Strap is an ultra-low profile patella tendon strap constructed from Bio Skin’s micro-fleece-lined Ultima 2SL™ material. The Q Baby wraps comfortably around the knee, just below the patella. The design includes a uniquely shaped silicon pad that fits over the patellar tendon to give compression

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In Stock

Q Brace
Knee Stabilizer
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Q Brace – Adjustable support for patellofemoral pain
The Bio Skin Q Brace 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 gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.

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In Stock

Q Brace Front Closure
Knee Stabilizer
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Multi-directional patella tracking knee brace
The Bio Skin Q Brace 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 gives excellent compression without causing discomfort.

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Q Brace with Conforma Hinge
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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Q Brace with Conforma Hinge – Front Closure
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Q Lok
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Q Lok Front Closure
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Q Lok ROM
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Self Adjusting Knee Stabilizer
Knee Stabilizer
Rated 5.00 out of 5

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The Mueller Sports Medicine Self Adjusting Knee Stabilizer features criss-cross straps for consistent support and compression above and below your patella. Fits either knee. One size.
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In Stock

Standard Knee Skin
Knee Sleeve
Rated 5.00 out of 5

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Medium-level compression for minor pain and instability
The Bio Skin Standard Knee Skin provides optimal compression to decrease knee pain, control swelling, and increase proprioception. The design features a two-panel construction so there is no seam in the sensitive area behind the knee. Bio Skin’s unique, patented materials make the brace breathable and comfortable, and wicks moisture away from the skin. All Bio Skin materials are 100% neoprene free and latex free!

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In Stock

Standard Knee Support – Closed Patella
Knee Stabilizer
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This knee support features an oval pad to retain body heat, which reduces knee stiffness and improves ligament suppleness to reduce the risk of sprains. It is easy on/off and an excellent choice to reduce arthritic pain.
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In Stock

Standard Knee Support – Open Patella
Knee Stabilizer
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This knee support uses an oval pad for enhanced knee warmth and extra protection. However, it also includes reinforced patellar stabilization and the open patella design makes for greater wearing comfort. The stretch fabric construction also facilitates application and removal.
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In Stock

Visco Knee Skin with Conforma Hinge
Hinged Knee Brace
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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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In Stock

Visco Knee Skin with Thigh & Calf Straps
Knee Sleeve
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Silicone ring helps keep swelling off the joint
The Bio Skin Visco Knee Skin with Thigh & Calf Straps 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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VOW Versatile Over Wrap Knee Wrap w/Stays
Knee Stabilizer
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The McDavid VOW™ Versatile Over Wrap Knee Wrap w/Stays is a straightforward design with quick wrap on application that your patients can wear without removing their pants – just wrap it on over their pants and they are done.
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VOW Versatile Over Wrap Knee Wrap w/Stays & Straps
Knee Stabilizer
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The McDavid VOW™ Versatile Over Wrap Knee Wrap features an innovative design that is easy to apply or remove and can treat the pain of knee instabilities and other minor knee issues.
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In Stock

Wraparound Knee Stabilizer
Knee Stabilizer
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Wraparound Knee Stabilizer features an open patella design to help relieve kneecap pressure, an easy on/off wraparound design and lateral springs for knee support. Replaces the 4539 Patella Stabilizer.
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In Stock

Wraparound Knee Support
Knee Stabilizer
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Wraparound Knee Support is an easy on/off knee support that will provide support to weak, unstable or injured knees and improve blood circulation, courtesy of its neoprene blend. Replaces the MU4532 Knee Support.
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In Stock

X-Tremus Knee Brace
Hinged Knee Brace
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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.
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