Knee braces are worn when one has some sort of pain in the knee, or in sports when one wants to prevent an injury. Braces are made from a combination of metal, foam, plastic, and elastic material/straps. We recommend and fit them here in our Springfield Back and Body practice.
There are some different types of knee braces, and each is used for different reasons.
Functional braces: give support to your knees that have been injured in the past. Athletes wear them after a major injury has healed. They stabilize the knee and control motion to prevent further injuries.
Rehabilitative braces: are used for some odd weeks after injury or surgery. They make sure the knee is kept stable, but allow limited movement while it heals. Some physicians haven’t seen any benefit from the braces and no longer recommend them.
Unloader braces: are designed to ease pain in people who have arthritis in the knee. They shift the weight from the damaged area of the knee to a stronger area.
Prophylactic braces: are designed to protect knees from injuries during contact sports.
Knee sleeves: are not braces, but they are a common type of knee support that provide compression around the knee joint. They support the knee, and controls pain and swelling. You see these a lot in your local pharmacy.
We will of course let you know if you need a knee brace. We will recommend a specific type based on your injury and what your knee needs. Knee sleeves can usually be found in pharmacies or medical supply stores, or ordered online. Knee braces should be used as directed by us as we will teach you how to use it in order to get the optimal use based on your condition.
If you have any questions on our treatment options in Springfield, please contact us, we would be happy to help you and see what we can do for you.
In pain? Want a tune up? Call us today (908) 325 – 3000. We can treat and help you.
