| Knees can become unstable when the ligaments are | | | | that the brace you use will keep you from bending or |
| damaged. Common ligament injuries are a PCL injury, | | | | twisting your knee. What type of brace can help you |
| an MCL injury, or an ACL injury. | | | | make sure you don't do this? Hinged knee braces. |
| ACL injuries, including complete or partial tears occur | | | | These braces work by controlling your knee's range |
| when you change direction rapidly, twist without | | | | of motion and are also designed to protect your |
| moving your feet or slow down too fast. This type | | | | knees. You can control your knee's range of motion |
| of sudden movement can cause the ACL to stretch | | | | with hinged knee braces because the brace's settings |
| or tear. | | | | are adjustable. You can adjust the settings to control |
| A PCL injury can occur from hyper-extending your | | | | how far you can extend your leg and how much you |
| knee or impact to the front of it. Direct impact from | | | | can flex your leg. |
| the outside of the knee joint can also cause a PCL | | | | While the rigid strapping system and heavy-duty |
| injury. An example is playing football. | | | | hinges keep your knee stable, these braces are also |
| The MCL is usually injured when the outside of the | | | | dynamic. These braces are called dynamic because |
| knee joint is struck. This can cause the inside of the | | | | they allow for some movement. The goal of hinged |
| knee to widen and the outside to buckle. When the | | | | knee braces is to simply control movement while |
| MCL is stretched too far, it may tear or get injured. | | | | keeping the knee supported and stable. Hinged knee |
| All of these types of ligament injuries, including | | | | braces can be used if you have a knee injury or |
| sprains and tears, can cause your knee to become | | | | have just had surgery. |
| unstable. | | | | Hinged knee braces are rated as level III braces. |
| You may have problems twisting, pivoting, or turning. | | | | Level III braces provide advanced protection and |
| You may have trouble walking down stairs or slopes. | | | | support. The materials used to make level III braces |
| There are many types of problems that you could | | | | include: neoprene, elastic, fabric, and various types of |
| experience when you damage the ligaments in your | | | | metals. These braces are made to provide both |
| knee. When your knee is unstable, you need a brace | | | | compression and support. Along with providing |
| that offers a high level of support. Hinged knee | | | | support and stability, these braces can help to |
| braces are ideal when you have knee instability from | | | | improve your knee joint's function and lessen the pain |
| injured ligaments. | | | | you feel from your injury. |
| When you have knee instability, you need to ensure | | | | |