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knee-pain

When Should You Wear Knee Support?

Knee support assists in routine movements like walking and shifting positions. Its use is recommended if you have knee problems, as it will not only reduce pressure on your knee but also help prevent further injuries. So, if you use it during the rehab phase, it will enable you to remain mobile.

When Should You Wear Knee Support?

Knee support is a crucial aspect of maintaining knee health and preventing potential injuries. One common type of knee pain is lateral knee pain, which occurs on the outside of the knee joint.

  • Prophylactic Benefits

If your knee is forcibly bent or twisted, it may put the knee out of alignment. A brace helps prevent sports injury, and over-extension of the knee while compressing the tissue surrounding it.

  • Rehab Programs

If you are undergoing a rehab phase after a knee injury or post-surgery, you should resort to knee support while the tissue heals. The reason is that knees usually have a prolonged recovery period. Moreover, it helps prevent further damage and regulate joint movements.

  • Reduces Pressure

If you are suffering from chondroitin, or other similar condition, you can use a knee brace to help relieve pain. As these problems become more common with age, a brace reduces pressure on the problematic area. Thus, improving knee ROM (range of motion) and reducing tightness.

What are the Levels of Protection?

When choosing the brace, you should search for levels of protection that range from 1 to 3+.

  • Level 1

Level 1 brace offers the lowest support. However, it is highly flexible, like a knee sleeve. So, it is ideal for relieving mild to moderate pains and keeps you active.

  • Level 2

These braces offer more excellent protection than Level 1, as they are less flexible. However, they still allow you to perform a range of movements. A few good examples include wraparound braces and knee straps. So, when you use these, you can enjoy mild to moderate knee support for knee pain associated with tendon fluxes and tendonitis.

  • Level 3

Level 3 brace is usually regarded as a hinged knee joint brace. It provides the most incredible support but limits movement. This brace is also heavier than others. The doctor may recommend this brace if you are recovering from knee surgery to prevent a knee injury’s recurrence effectively. It is ideal for helping with pain relief and support for moderate to significant fluxes and conditions.

What Types of Knee Support are Available?

There are many knee supports in the marketplace, whose demand depends on people’s needs.

  • Wraparound Braces

The wraparound braces are perfect for the sportsperson who is susceptible to mild or moderate knee issues. It provides more significant support than sleeves. You can quickly wear or remove these lightweight braces, and they are perfect for use during training.

  • Hinged Brace

These knee braces are often used after the surgery for patients and sportspeople who require more excellent protection and support. When you wear a hinged brace, your knee is aligned adequately at the time of bending, which helps heal and prevent further damage.

Usually, a doctor recommends a hinged brace after surgery. These braces are either soft or rigid; soft ones provide less support than rigid ones.

  • Knee Strap

A knee strap is an ideal solution if you have pain behind your knee due to Runner’s knee, jumper’s knee, or Patella injuries. It is highly convenient to wear and remove and can fit under clothes. So, if you want to minimize pain by compressing your tendons, you must wear a knee strap.

Knee Brace for Running

One solution that many runners turn to is a knee brace specifically designed for running. These braces work by providing extra support and stability to the knee joint, helping to reduce pain and prevent further damage.

Closed and Open Patella Braces

Have you ever seen a brace with an open patella (hole in the middle) or a closed patella (without a hole)? These are usually referred to as closed and open patella braces. When you choose an open patella brace, it relieves knee pressure and provides extra knee cap support with proper movement and tracking. At the same time, the closed braces provide compression at the knee cap with the same amount of pressure as the remaining knee and extra support. You should consult the best pain doctor in Dallas if you are confused about which brace to choose for your specific condition.

Should You Tighten Your Knee Support?

When you wear a brace, your knee must be compressed and feel tight. It should provide you with adequate support based on your needs and not disturb your comfort levels. And if your brace is uncomfortable, it may hinder your circulation. Hence, at this time, you should loosen your strap or replace it with a giant-size brace. A knee pain location chart can be helpful in determining where your discomfort is coming from.

Besides, rigid braces offer more fantastic support and rigidness and compress the sleeves enabling more significant movement and reduced support. You can use a size chart to determine which sleeve to choose for your knee according to the circumference.

Which Knee Support to Choose?

To choose the right brace for your knee, you should consider the following:

  • The foremost thing you must do is consult your healthcare specialist and discuss with them what type of brace will best suit your condition. It will help ensure the best results.

  • Next, you should consider the level of support you require. If you are unsure, consult your pain doctor in Dallas.

  • Your knee condition (ligament tear and injury type) can also influence your decision of choosing the brace.

  • If you have suffered from a serious injury (like mcl sprain), you should choose a hinged brace, as selecting the right MCL brace can make all the difference

  • However, if you suffer from chronic pain and moderate damage, a slip-on brace will be ideal for you.

  • While if you have suffered from serious injuries, you should opt for a custom knee brace.

If you suffer from a patellar injury, you should go for a patella brace or wrap-around brace, as advised by experts in pain management in Dallas.

Dr. Rao K. Ali M.D.

Dr. Rao Ali, a board-certified pain management physician, leads the clinic, which specializes in nonsurgical treatment. The physician has experience in the emergency room as well as training in pain management and rehabilitation. As a personal physician, he works with each patient to develop a treatment plan that will minimize or eliminate their pain. Providing expert diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions, Pain Management In Dallas, PA provides a comprehensive range of services. These services include neck pain, back pain, hip and knee pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, headaches, migraines, and many others.