Knee pain caused by injury or arthritis can be incredibly debilitating. In some instances, knee pain can entirely prevent individuals from carrying out their normal daily activities. Fortunately, research has repeatedly shown knee braces effectively decrease pain and joint stiffness. Knee braces also offer secondary health benefits, such as a reduced reliance on addictive pain medication and improved overall balance.
It is worth noting that not all knee braces are equal. There is quality, and use differences amongst the various knee brace types, which is why some work better for specific knee pain issues than others. This article lays out the criteria that make some knee braces better than others, provides tips for finding the best knee brace for your specific issue, and highlights the brace we consider the best option.
What are the Criteria for a Good Knee Brace?
Any discussion regarding the best knee brace for pain management must include meeting the criteria that make a good knee brace. So, what are the criteria?
- Pain Improvement
- Unloading Capability
- Customization Capability
- Lightweight
- Stabilization Improvement
- Breathability
- Adjustability
Let’s take a look at each of these criteria in further detail.
1. Pain Improvement
The best knee brace for pain is one that yields positive, measurable results in the pain improvement of its users. While almost every knee brace company claims braces help alleviate knee pain, only a select few can provide proof of that claim. If you’re searching for the best knee brace, you will likely find it among brands that report pain improvement data from their users’ products.
2. Unloading Capabilities
An unloader knee brace is a particular category of brace that shifts weight-bearing pressure from the injured part of the knee joint to the healthy or unaffected side. These braces are particularly effective in relieving knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
A good knee brace for pain will typically have unloading capabilities. The best knee braces can unload a large amount of weight, ideally more than 20 lbs.
3. Customization
While most knee braces offer a one-size-fits-all prescription for knee pain, the best knee braces can be customized to the size and shape of the patient. A knee brace tailored to your specific knee joint will generally provide better stabilization and, ultimately, better results.
4. Lightweight
A common complaint of knee brace users is the feeling of being weighed down by the heaviness of the brace. The best daily knee brace for pain management is lightweight enough to wear unnoticeably without hindering your mobility.
5. Stabilization Improvement
Improving stability is one of the main benefits of a knee brace. However, like pain improvement, many knee brace providers claim their products improve stabilization without providing proof. You are likely to find the best knee brace for treating your knee pain amongst companies that report the stabilization improvement data of their products’ users.
6. Breathability
Breathability is essential if you wear your knee brace for extended periods. The best knee braces are made of materials that allow air to pass through easily. A breathable knee brace prevents moisture, sweat, dirt, and other elements from building up and contributing to the development of skin rashes and irritation.
7. Adjustability
Anyone who has ever dealt with knee pain knows that the pain can sometimes localize in different parts of the knee daily. This is why adjustability is critical. An adjustable knee brace allows users to adjust the pressure of the brace and adapt to changes in the location of the pain.
Different Types of Knee braces
In addition to variations in quality, knee braces vary in design and functionality. Some are tailored specifically for osteoarthritis, while others offer well-rounded pain relief for multiple causes of knee pain. Let’s explore the different types of knee braces and their purposes.
- Sleeve-style braces
- Strap-style braces
- Wraparound braces
- Open patellar braces
- Unloader braces
I. Sleeve Style Knee Brace
Sleeve-style knee braces slide over the knee like a sleeve. They are typically used to treat cases of mild arthritis and sprains/strains.
II. Strap Style Knee Brace
Strap-style knee braces only cover the patellar region of the knee (kneecap) and do not extend up or down the leg like larger-style knee braces. Strap-style knee braces help reduce swelling caused by runner’s knee and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
III. Wraparound Knee Brace
Wraparound knee braces consist of two straps that wrap around the knee and extend up the thigh and down the shinbone. Wraparound braces can treat various knee pain issues, including meniscus tears and ACL injuries.
IV. Open Patella Knee Brace
Open patella knee braces have a hole for the kneecap to sit, typically allowing for more knee flexibility and air circulation. This type of knee brace can also treat sprains, strains, and mild cases of arthritis.
V. Unloader Knee Brace
We mentioned the unloader knee brace earlier in this article. Unloader knee braces are designed to reduce or “unload” pressure from the knee joint. The way that these knee braces are built allows for maximum support and flexibility. Due to this, unloader knee braces are the best knee brace for pain in all aspects. Whether it is strains, osteoarthritis, ACL injuries, or tears.
Which Is the Best Knee Brace for Pain?
The industry-leading Ascender knee brace by Icarus Medical is an unloader style of knee brace. It offers several functional and design benefits not found in competing brands, making it one of the best options for knee braces for pain. For starters, the Ascender unloads up to 40 lbs. of weight off the knee, a vast improvement over alternative braces. Furthermore, the Ascender has multi-compartment unloading, including patellofemoral and tibiofemoral unloading.
Additional benefits of the Ascender knee brace include a lightweight design (less than one lb.) and breathable material for improved circulation and comfort. It also offers fully adjustable assistance for greater stability and mobility, as the Ascender is custom-made to fit your knee’s precise shape and size using 3D printing. Finally, according to data reports from users of the product, the Ascender has been shown to significantly reduce knee pain and improve stabilization. With all these benefits and more, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better knee brace for pain than the Ascender. It’s also covered by most insurance!
Order your brace today – or contact our team to get more information.
