What Knee Brace Do I Need?
Many times we have patients come in with knee pain and wanting a brace. The important thing to note is that there are many different knee braces that all have different functions.
To able to fit the right knee brace we have to determine what the goal of the brace is. We can group basic knee braces into three different categories:
Compression
A basic knee compression sleeve can range from $10 to $150. If you have general knee pain or some constant swelling in the knee area, this type of brace would work for you.
The goal of these knee braces is to increase circulation and proprioception while decreasing swelling.
They do not add stability to the knee but give an overall feeling of comfort.
People commonly wear this type of knee brace, as they are the most comfortable and easiest to wear.
Knee Stability
A common concern is the instability of the knee where patient feels their knee wants collapse while weight bearing.
This is normally due to a strain or laxity in the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) or overall muscle weakness.
Depending on how much stability the knee needs, these braces can range from $80 to into the thousands.
Rigidly structured hinges provide stability to the knee. The longer and stronger the hinge arms are, the more stability they provide.
Lower-end knee braces are usually sleeves with hinged arms. Meanwhile, stronger and more expensive knee braces may be made of completely rigid materials.
Patella Femoral
The third common use of knee braces is to help reduce pain with patella femoral syndrome.
Misalignment of the kneecap can cause pain. The patella has a grove that it runs on while flexing and extending the knee.
For many reasons, including muscle imbalance and overpronation, the patella rubs on the grove causing pain.
The goal of this knee brace is to help hold the patella in its groove, while the cause is being fixed.
These braces usually cost between $50 and $250. In the brace, there is a buttress that runs along the lateral border of the kneecap.
They can be shaped as an O, a C, or a J, depending on the manufacturer. These knee braces work well at decreasing pain but it’s important to find and address the original cause of the pain.
Need a Knee Brace?
If you have any questions, reserve a One2One appointment today. A qualified brace fitter will help you find the right brace for you based on your lifestyle and measurements.
Our new One2One program will provide you with the highest level of safety and personalized service for all of your bracing needs.
Hermam Krehm
April 4, 2019 at 9:27 amOne of my leg collapses when I take a few step, I have this condition for 20 years and come to the conclusion that exercise cannot cure my problem. My only solution is a proper brace is a route to go. Who do we contact that would have this expertise?
Thank you for your help.
Herman
Lindae Thomas
April 18, 2019 at 5:24 pmMy 89 year old mother is wearing a knee support that allows her left knee to collapse toward the right knee. Would a rigid hinged support help her?
Kintec Footwear + Orthotics
June 17, 2019 at 4:41 pmHi Lindae, thank you for your question. A knee brace with rigid hinges would help this problem better than a brace without however; it may not get rid of the problem completely. We would recommend that your Mother gets a proper assessment from a professional. Seeing an expert will ensure that she receives the proper care and the right brace that suites her specific needs and problems. There are many different kinds of knee braces available that all perform very different functions.
(604) 644-5761 Sophiya Dewshi
July 9, 2022 at 10:16 amMy 93 year father was previous walking with a walker, showering and doing stairs before he slipped his disc. He has not been walking now for 2 months and we are looking at alternatives to cortisone injections. His only issue is his weak knees. Can a braces help?
Sarah - Customer Service
July 11, 2022 at 8:54 amHi Sophiya,
I would recommend speaking with your father’s doctor about the option of braces, but knee braces can offer support and stability. From there you can give us a call at 604-200-3338 and we can book him in to see one of our fitting experts to find the best braces for his needs.
Take care!