| If you know someone that is heavily involved in | | | | something that would prevent knee injuries. A torn |
| sports, especially contact sports such as football or | | | | ligament can lead to reduced playing time for an |
| running, you have probably seen them sporting a | | | | athlete. There is also the threat of permanent |
| knee brace at some point. Athletic knee braces are | | | | disability. These possibilities cause many athletes to |
| used to both prevent and treat sport injuries and are | | | | wear a knee brace in practice and even in games. |
| gaining popularity among the active, athletic crowd. | | | | Studies have shown that the prophylactic knee brace |
| Doctors are prescribing knee braces to more athletes | | | | can help prevent injury but there are conflicting |
| and thus more studies are being done about the | | | | reports as well. |
| effects. Some doctors questions the effectiveness | | | | The knee is exposed and very vulnerable during |
| of knee braces. Other coaches only allow their | | | | athletic activity and because of its large size it is |
| players to wear them in practice, afraid they will limit | | | | often injured. In athletics, knee braces have two |
| their playing power. | | | | purposes. They are designed to protect the athlete |
| There are 4 main types of knee braces, but three | | | | with previous knee injuries. The knee brace supports |
| are used mainly among athletes. | | | | the knee to reduce pain. It also helps keep the knee |
| 1. Prophylactic -protect from injuries | | | | from being injured again as it heals. The brace also |
| 2. Functional - support knees that have been injured | | | | protects the knee during heavy contact sports and |
| in the past | | | | keeps the knee from being injured. |
| 3. Rehabilitative - limit harmful knee movement during | | | | Knee braces are often suggested by doctors and |
| healing. | | | | should always be used as they say. The brace should |
| 4. Unloader/offloader- these are not used by athletes | | | | be placed where the knee bends. The athletic knee |
| but instead help with arthritis pain | | | | brace is usually fastened with tape, straps or a hook |
| Functional knee braces are the most common athletic | | | | system. Though these methods hold the brace in |
| knee brace. Thousands of ACL surgeries are | | | | place, it is important to recheck that the hinges are |
| preformed on athletes each year. Functional knee | | | | where the knee bends for optimum support. Wearing |
| braces substitute for the damaged ligaments. The | | | | the brace improperly can cause further injury. |
| ACL is a ligament inside the knee that provides | | | | The athletic knee brace has proved helpful to today's |
| stability. The brace provides rigid support and also | | | | athletes. With the rise in knee injuries and knee |
| improves the athlete's control of the knee. There are | | | | surgeries and the new technologies being developed |
| different types of functional knee braces but studies | | | | daily, more will be learned and studied about knee |
| have shown the all have similar results. As more and | | | | braces and their function will expand and continue to |
| more young athletes have ACL surgery or ACL | | | | help athletes stay in the game despite knee injuries |
| tears, this brace type is becoming more popular in | | | | and will keep them from getting injuries that could |
| athletes. | | | | take them out permanently. |
| Every athlete and coach would love to have | | | | |