Cudejko T, et al. (2017). The immediate effect of a soft knee brace on pain, activity limitations, self-reported knee instability, and self-reported knee confidence in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Another common use for knee braces is to rehabilitate the knee after a serious injury or surgery. If you’re recovering from an ACL injury, for example, then you’ll need a sturdier brace than those who are wearing one in the hope of nursing injuries through activities, because braces for rehab will be designed to limit the knee’s movement to protect it. Yu SP, et al. (2016). Effectiveness of knee bracing in osteoarthritis: Pragmatic trial in a multidisciplinary clinic. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26558446/ Ornetti P, et al. (2015).Clinical effectiveness and safety of a distraction-rotation knee brace for medial knee osteoarthritis. Unloader knee braces: Some studies have suggested that knee braces, particularly unloader knee braces, can provide pain relief for people with knee osteoarthritis. Unloader (or offloading) braces work by redistributing the workload away from the damaged part of the knee joint. Research has shown that some people experience reduced pain and improved mobility when wearing these braces, although they are relatively cumbersome.

The third reason people might use a knee brace is to manage chronic conditions like arthritis, by helping to reduce pain and inflammation. These braces need to be comfortable to wear for long periods and also flexible enough to not unduly restrict movement, while being more supportive than a basic sleeve support. What type of knee support should I buy?The material a knee brace is made from needs to be lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods without getting hot or sweaty. The fabric should also be compressive and easy to clean if you’re going to wear it for long periods. Mistry D, et al. (2018). An update on unloading knee braces in the treatment of unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis from the last 10 years: A literature review. Located on the sides of the brace, the spiral stays to ensure the support fits comfortably & snug around the knee for optimal support and stabilization while also retaining shape and assisting in sliding on and off after use. Knee compression sleeves, also known as soft braces, can be good for arthritis, especially if you run or play sports. They’re not so good at stabilizing your knee or keeping the joint in place if you’re recovering from an injury. How do you put on a knee brace?

Yes. All Bauerfeind supports are made with machine-washable materials. Here’s how to care for your brace: Hinged knee braces: Hinged knee braces, as well as general knee braces, may help improve functional outcomes, such as walking and exercise, for people with knee osteoarthritis. They can provide stability to the knee joint, making it easier for people to do their daily living activities and exercise. The third reason people might use a knee brace is to manage chronic conditions like arthritis, by helping to reduce pain and inflammation. These braces need to be comfortable to wear for long periods and also flexible enough to not unduly restrict movement, while being more supportive than a basic sleeve support.

Protection against overloading joints

If in doubt about the type of knee brace that’s right for you, or whether you should wear one at all, then chat to a health professional such as your GP, physio or pharmacist. A compression sleeve is unlikely to do much harm, but it’s always worth getting professional advice, especially if the injury was caused by twisting the knee or an impact to it. If there’s swelling in your knee, you can’t fully straighten your leg, or the pain gets worse during exercise, definitely consult an expert. At worst, a brace could mask a problem that could be fixed through other exercises. What else should I consider when choosing a knee support?