Tennis is an engaging sport that encourages a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether you play competitively or just for fun, tennis improves your cardiovascular health and flexibility and stimulates your mind by requiring you to focus and make quick decisions.
Whether you’ve been playing tennis for years or have just started, most tennis players will agree that this sport can be harsh on your knees. You’ll be running up and down—and back and forth—across the court, making sudden stops and sideways movements, which puts you at risk of sustaining a knee injury or developing an injury due to overuse.
Understanding Knee Injuries from Tennis
One of tennis players’ most common knee injuries due to overuse is patellar tendinitis, often called “jumper’s knee.” It develops due to constant running, jumping, and quick changes in direction.
As with any sport, there are ways to protect your body from injuries, including knee injuries. You may, for instance, engage in strength and flexibility training at home or at your favorite gym, which can support and help protect your knee joints. Playing tennis on clay or grass courts rather than hard courts is a good idea, as they are more forgiving on your joints. Furthermore, using supportive shoes with good shock absorption can also help protect your knees.
If, however, you already have sustained a knee injury, you may not have to give up playing tennis if you follow your doctor’s orders. Perhaps you’re enrolled in a rehabilitation program, and you’ve been advised to gradually return to your tennis routine to reduce the risk of causing further damage.
Did you know that wearing a knee brace for tennis is one of the most effective ways to support and protect your knees? High-quality knee braces, like unloader knee braces, are designed to help stabilize the knee joint, significantly reducing stress on your tendons and ligaments and alleviating overall pain.
What Are the Knee Brace Options for Tennis Players?
There are many different types of knee braces on the market. When recovering from a knee injury—or if you’re trying to prevent one—the best knee brace for tennis is one that is designed to improve stabilization, reduce pain and discomfort, and unload weight from your knee.
Unloader knee braces, hinged knee braces, neoprene knee braces, compressive knee sleeves, and patella knee braces each offer different features for tennis players who want to protect and support their knees during practice and matches.
A hinged knee brace, for example, features a locking mechanism and adjustable straps but doesn’t offer the flexibility that most tennis players need. While tennis players may find neoprene knee braces comfortable and breathable, they may not provide much stability and protection.
Compressive knee sleeves compress the knee joint well and can minimize discomfort. Still, this type of knee brace for tennis lacks the structural support some players require, especially if recovering from an injury.
Similarly, a patella knee brace is helpful for individuals with patellar tendon issues or conditions like patellar tendinitis. Still, the downside with these braces is the pressure they place on the knee joint, which can make playing tennis uncomfortable.
An unloader knee brace, on the other hand, can be a great solution for tennis players. The lightweight build and high-unloading power make it an excellent solution for injured players, those in rehabilitation, and those seeking preventative solutions.
Finding the right balance between providing support while not hindering mobility or causing discomfort is essential. If you’re in the market for a knee brace for tennis, look for the following features:
– Customization
– Comfort
– Flexibility
– Unloading Capacity
– Adjustability
– Consistent Pain Relief
What is the Best Knee Brace for Tennis?
At Icarus Medical, our innovative Ascender Unloader Knee Brace unloads up to 40 pounds, offering multi-compartment, patellofemoral, and tibiofemoral unloading so you can feel confident in your movement.
The custom, 3-D printed knee brace is lightweight, breathable, and fully adjustable. This prevents sliding and ensures ultimate comfort, so next time you’re on the tennis court, you can move swiftly and make powerful, precise movements to outscore your opponents.
The Ascender also utilizes our company’s patented External Muscle Tendon System, which ensures that your knee remains well-supported while returning the energy stored during flexion back to you each time your quadriceps are in motion – improving your performance.
For all these reasons, we recommend the Ascender Unloader Knee Brace to our patients as the overall best knee brace for tennis players. Its cutting-edge design offers the support, stability, flexibility, and comfort you need every time you step onto the tennis court, preparing you to perform at your best so you can enjoy the sport to the fullest.
Finding Your Knee Brace for Tennis
Most insurance plans cover the Ascender Unloader Knee Brace, so we invite you to learn more and discover what differentiates our knee brace from the others. When you’re ready to speak to an Icarus Medical representative, reach out and book a complimentary consultation to see whether we are the right fit for you.
