July 2017| 45
Stability knee braces
Stability braces are more complex and are available
as purely stability braces, or stability combined with
compression. The stability feature is the inclusion of a
hinge within the brace which works as you move. Stability
braces with compression are used to maintain mobility
following severe sprains. n ammation is controlled by
the compression whilst increased support is supplied by
straps that act as external ligaments.
igid stability braces are designed simply to offer
protection and stability. They can be worn to provide
protection from injury, often in sports such as mountain
biking, motocross or skiing, but can also be used to give
the knee joint stability following injuries such as damage
to ligaments. These types of braces are manufactured
from super strong yet lightweight material, such as
carbon fibre, which can withstand huge impacts.
Knee braces can be used to prevent the kind of ligament
damage that often occurs in sports such as cycling.
Following knee surgery, an immobilising knee brace may
be recommended. These are worn after your operation
to prevent the joint from moving around and damaging
the repair that has been made, giving the knee a chance
to heal properly before any pressure is put on it. Once
you are mobile, a hinged brace will normally be offered to
provide protection. In some hinged braces, you are able
to limit the range of motion (ROM) of the knee, thereby
allowing you to remain active without allowing your knee
to move beyond certain degrees of exion or extension.
Knee supports vary widely in cost, with simple
compression supports manufactured from materials
such as surgical elastic or neoprene which are relatively
inexpensive. In comparison, some of the highly
engineered knee supports used in high impact situations
cost considerably more, and there are many different
styles of support to choose from, including hinged
supports and even bands, which are primarily designed to
apply compression to the patella.
ifferent supports are needed for different in uries, so
it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis from a
doctor or physiotherapist before selecting a knee support
for your particular knee injury or problem. Not all GPs
are sufficiently knowledgeable about sports in uries to
provide an accurate diagnosis, but they will be able to
refer you to a colleague who specialises in this field. Once
the specific condition is identified, you can choose a knee
support with the appropriate level of support.
Many knee braces are available off the shelf but others
need to be fitted and, in this situation, you will need
accurate measurements to ensure that the correct
support is obtained.
Solutions for common knee injuries
Overuse and repetitive motions can irritate the knee and
cause pain and injury. Knee pain can occur in four areas;
anterior, posterior, medial lateral and iliotibial band
syndrome.