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