Elastic knee braces are designed to support the knee without eliminating flexibility. While at first glance they may all look alike, in reality there are many different types of elastic knee braces that serve to fortify this crucial joint as well as treat injuries already incurred. Read on to make sure that you get the best elastic knee brace for your specific knee condition.
Function
Knee braces support the knee. They can help you avoid exacerbating a condition or protect the knee from being injured in the first place. Athletes often wear them for training, and some people even use them during sporting events. A knee brace holds the parts of the knee in place as well as protects injured areas of the knee.
Features
Elastic knee braces do not prevent motion, which makes them popular with people who wish to remain active despite knee issues. They extend above and below the knee, and may contain padding or even plastic depending on the type of brace you are using. Elastic knee braces come in a wide variety of colors, and need to be sized even though they are stretchy.
Considerations
When you are buying an elastic knee brace, make sure and pick one that will be the easiest and most effective for you to wear. Some knee braces trap heat and cause sweating, which bothers some people more than others. Other knee braces do not provide enough support for an injury, but are better for preventative wear. You should consider how much wear and tear you will be subjecting your knee brace to, as well.
Effects
Wearing an elastic knee brace can significantly decrease your risks of knee injury if you are involved in a contact sport. Elastic knee braces also can help hold injured knees together once you have returned to normal activities. Elastic knee braces also can accelerate rehabilitation of an injured joint.
Types
There are many types of elastic knee brace. Some are designed for athletes and wick sweat away from the inside of the brace. Others are simply strips of plain elastic that hold the joint steady during movement. You can also get elastic knee braces that focus on holding the patella in place if you have "slippery" knee caps.
Warning
If you have chronically painful knees, a knee brace may not be enough to repair the damage. See a doctor if your knee pain persists. You may be wearing the wrong kind of knee brace or have another type of joint issue entirely. Letting these pains go unattended can dramatically increase your level of injury over time.
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