| Knee braces - also known as knee supports and | | | | player attributes. |
| knee pads - are used primarily as protective gear to | | | | Apprehension has also emerged over the possibility |
| address several physical conditions and prevent | | | | that a prophylactic brace may actually be a hindrance |
| knee-related problems. These braces are a prominent | | | | to knee movement and even increase the likelihood |
| fixture in sports medicine, particularly with injured | | | | of injury. Research shows that this is not the case, |
| athletes. Some sports medicine experts classify knee | | | | as long as the knee brace is correctly fitted and |
| braces into two simple categories. Functional knee | | | | firmly in place. |
| braces are used by patients with an ACL tear, | | | | 2. Commercial Knee Braces |
| damaged ligaments or other injuries to substitute for | | | | The Futuro Knee Support Stabilizing Large is one of |
| the injured body part. Individuals using these braces | | | | several knee braces available in the market. The |
| are able to continue doing some activities without | | | | brace is designed to give athletes or individuals with |
| requiring surgery. Although functional braces will never | | | | weakened tendons, muscles or ligaments stable and |
| be a perfect or permanent replacement to normal | | | | comfortable support and prevent any re-injury. The |
| ligaments, they definitely offer adequate protection in | | | | Futuro can also be worn the whole day or when the |
| low-load situations, giving the knee greater stability | | | | user feels discomfort in doing some activities. The |
| compared to having no braces at all. | | | | brace also does not hinder movement even as the |
| 1. Consult Your Doctor | | | | knee is stabilized. |
| One who is considering wearing a functional knee | | | | Magnetic therapy is integrated into Magnetic Wave |
| brace should consult with a doctor. The decision to | | | | Knee Support. This brace comes in small/medium and |
| use the brace would depend on the particular | | | | large/extra large sizes and features 12 magnets |
| ligament injured, the sport the individual plays, | | | | spread strategically in the neoprene material. The |
| rehabilitation work taken, and other factors. An | | | | HoMedics knee support also applies heat therapy and |
| injured athlete must realize that strengthening, | | | | cold therapy for aches, sprains and other injuries. The |
| physical therapy and rehabilitation are more important | | | | brace also fits the user securely with loop closures |
| than using a knee brace, which may help prevent a | | | | and a hook. |
| re-injury but not hasten or contribute much to the | | | | The single-size Mueller Sport Care Knee Support |
| recovery or healing process. | | | | Open Patella is used for arthritic knees and minor |
| On the other hand, prophylactic knee braces are | | | | strains and sprains. The support is made from a soft |
| more of a preventive measure for healthy athletes. | | | | neoprene blend that enables body heat retention to |
| However, research has yielded unclear results if such | | | | relieve pain and help maintain knee flexibility. The |
| a brace prevents knee injuries. Although some | | | | support is also designed with an open patella, |
| athletes using prophylactic braces have shown lower | | | | adjustable straps, stretch nylon, and trimmed, |
| MCL tears, other factors have also contributed to | | | | smooth edges to ensure a comfortable fit, prevent |
| injury risk reduction. These factors include the kind of | | | | chafing and easy wear and removal. |
| sport played and conditioning, position and other | | | | 3. |