The knee is the biggest joint in the body. It is a system made up of cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. If you are involved any activity or sport which demand a lot from the lower extremities, you know a healthy knee is a big player in terms of articulation, agility, and stability.

If you have ever experienced a knee injury, your first-hand knowledge may testify to the debilitating consequences that follow. Like most injuries, common knee injuries are incurred during inadvertent contact. When contact induced stress exceeds the threshold for what the knee is capable of sustaining and injury occurs. Knee injuries are as common as they are painful. For this reason, the field of orthotics has directed much effort toward developing procedures, rehabilitation, and preventative measures in hopes to alleviate pain associated with knee injury and ultimately decrease the number of knee injury cases.

When it comes to stabilization, a knee brace is an absolute necessity. It is worn to protect and support an injured or painful knee. Some even use knee braces to prevent a knee injury. Knee braces are generally made up of a combination of metal, foam, plastic, elastic material, and straps designed to discourage the knee joint from moving in ways that may potentially be harmful as well as providing “motion zones” in certain areas enabling mobility.

There are different types of knee braces available that a doctor or specialist may recommend depending on the condition of an injury sustained or diagnosed ailment. Knee problems are either due to a sports related injury or due to a joint ailment such as arthritis. In any regard knee braces are designed to protect the knee, optimize performance, and relieve/prevent pain. If you have recently injured your knee and are unfamiliar with the type of brace you may need, consult a doctor. However, a little knowledge of the different types of braces before-hand will help you understand a knee injury and help you find the confidence you need to facilitate your recovery.

Bauerfeind Genutrain Knee Support

When it comes to sports, the Genutrain knee supports by Bauerfeind are designed to protect the knees by stabilizing the knee joint without hindering one’s range of flexibility. These braces are extremely popular among the athletic community and widely used in sports such as basketball and tennis. With ergonomics in mind, the Genutrain is a knitted brace made to provide extreme comfort, breathability, and flexibility. The braces integrate supportive features such as padding around the patella, stretch zones, and compression which prevents swelling and pain.

Ossur Form Fit Hinged Brace

The Ossur Form Fit is a hinged multifunctional brace which offers different ranges and settings in which the user may control depending on how much stabilization he or she needs. This type of brace is ideal for those recovering from knee injury because you can adjust its range of flexibility according to your stage in recovery. A patented design feature that makes this brace different is its Three-Dimensional Molding Technology which controls bunching and irritation. The braces’ extra long one-piece design provides total support and stabilization.

Pro Tec Knee Strap

The ProTec Knee Strap is worn more to relieve pain and provide minimal support. The strap is worn around the knee cap area and provides compression on the patellar tendon. The compression successfully reduces discomfort and irritation by stabilizing the knee joint while absorbing knee joint stress upon impact. These are especially ideal to use in the event of high-impact, tedious movement and activity involving the knees such as running.