Knee pain can be one of the most debilitating pains for athletes and gym enthusiasts. Incidences of knee injuries are becoming increasingly prevalent in the sporting world, and preventing them from occurring is the first step. Studies show that around 100,000 to 200,000 Americans check into emergency rooms with serious knee injuries annually. Many of these injuries occur during physical activity or while participating in sports like soccer or football.
Whether it’s a tingling pain or a dull, lingering ache, knee pain can impact mobility and prevent you from reaching your workout goals. Knee braces can help minimize discomfort and support your endurance when moving. The best knee braces can benefit workout enthusiasts in many ways, including reducing pain, helping support the joint, and improving mobility and stability. However, with the different types of knee braces on the market, choosing the best option for working out can take time and effort. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the various types of knee braces to help you make a more informed buying decision.
What Does a Knee Brace Do?
Knee braces, or their counterparts, knee straps and knee sleeves, are devices that provide support and stability or alleviate pressure on or around the knee. They’re usually made from nylon, elastic, neoprene, or metal.
They are worn around the knee to reduce pain, swelling, and instability caused by injuries and other medical conditions. You can find knee braces online or in certain physical stores. Before buying a knee brace, you should consult a doctor, physical therapist, or qualified healthcare professional to ensure you pick the correct one for your injury.
Knee Issues that May Require a Knee Brace
There are many knee issues and ligament injuries that may require the use of a knee brace. The most common knee problems include osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, meniscus injuries, and knee ligamentous injuries.
Examples of knee issues that may require the use of knee braces include:
- Arthritis
- Knee sprain
- Torn ligaments
- MCL injury
- Patellar tendonitis
- ACL injury
Different Types of Knee Braces
There are various types of knee braces, each designed for different purposes. The most common types of knee braces include the following.
1. Offloader or Unloader Knee Brace
Unloader knee braces are designed to reduce the force on a joint by increasing its mechanical advantage. This makes them the best option for working out by far. Unloader knee braces transfer stress and weight from the affected area of the knee to the thigh bone and brace frame, forcing the knee to remain in place. An unloader knee brace is usually custom-built and made from materials such as plastic, foam, and metal.
These braces are effective for various people, ranging from athletes to those suffering from arthritis and knee injuries like patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). They’re widely used among people suffering from osteoarthritis. The goal of unloader knee braces is to “unload” the weight from the degenerated surface and shift it to an unaffected knee compartment. These braces provide greater mobility while reducing pain by strategically shifting the weight from one knee compartment to another. This makes them the best option for athletes and workout enthusiasts.
2. Prophylactic Knee Braces
Prophylactic knee braces are designed to help prevent knee injuries in healthy athletes. These braces grew in popularity in the 1970s when they were tested on NFL players. Since then, numerous studies have shown their potential to reduce knee injuries. One study published in SAGE Journals found that athletes in certain sports, like football, have a lower rate of MCL injury when wearing prophylactic knee braces.
These braces protect the MCL against challenging knee stresses while protecting the knee joints from injury. They work great for athletes of contact sports and other activities with a high risk of MCL injury. Prophylactic knee braces are also the best option for those who have suffered knee injuries before. However, there are concerns that these braces could alter the forces on the knee, impacting mobility. But if properly fitted, they are generally safe and comfortable to wear.
3. Functional Knee Braces
Functional knee braces help people regain their range of motion after injury. They provide stability and support while the knee recovers from an injury. Functional knee braces usually help compensate for a torn knee ligament. While they may not be the most effective, they improve motion in patients with ligament injuries like ACL tears.
Multiple studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of functional knee braces in providing stability after a knee injury. It has been found that these braces provide some knee protection at low loads. These braces help support weakened muscles and stabilize weak joints, particularly during exercise. Note that different kinds of functional knee braces exist for different types of injuries. So, your braces must be tailored to what ligaments need to be supported during healing.
4. Rehabilitative Knee Braces
These braces allow the knee to heal properly after an injury. Unlike other types of braces that improve motion and stability during exercise, rehabilitative braces are used immediately after surgery or injury. They can limit the movement of your knee during the healing phase to facilitate healing. In other words, they limit harmful knee movements when a person is rehabilitating from a knee injury. These braces protect a repaired or reconstructed ligament and allow early movement of the knee joint. However, this makes them a poor candidate for a knee brace for working out.
What is the Best Knee Brace for Working Out?
Knee braces are medical devices intended to support and stabilize the knee joint. The best knee braces can help reduce pain, support the joint, and improve mobility and stability. Various types of knee braces are available, each tailored to address particular knee issues. While some braces offer improved mobility and support, others limit knee movement to facilitate proper healing.
The best knee brace for working out is an unloader knee brace, such as the Icarus Ascender Unloader Knee Brace, as they provide the most benefits and preventative support compared to other classes of knee braces. If you are unsure which knee brace is right for you, your healthcare provider should be able to direct you toward the right knee brace for you based on your particular injury.
If you are interested in the Icarus Ascender Unloader Knee Brace, contact our team.
