Injuries make you pause on your favorite activities, particularly when you have injured your knees. Whether you are an athlete recovering from a sports injury or trying to manage joint pain, it’s frustrating when your body isn’t cooperating.
Knee pain is a very common complaint among active people, be it a professional athlete or someone who loves to stay fit. But the good thing is that you don’t have to let knee pain limit your activities. Orthopedic knee braces are great at providing functional support for the ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL. These are the four main ligaments that support your knee. With the right braces, you can regain the confidence to move freely and enjoy the activities you love without the fear of re-injuries. Let’s discuss how.
Why Knee Pain Can Slow You Down
Let’s say you are out for your regular run, or maybe you are hiking that trail you have been meaning to explore for a long time. Suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your knee. Before you even know it, this pain slows you down or stops you. It could result from overuse, injury, or a condition like arthritis. Knee pain can become a huge roadblock to staying active.Â
When your knee starts to hurt, even simple movements can be uncomfortable. If this pain continues, it can create a cycle of pain when you avoid movement, lose muscle strength, and add extra stress to your knee joints. An orthopedic brace can help you in such situations.
Types of Knee Braces and How They Work
There are different types of knee braces to address different conditions and support levels. These include:
- Prophylactic: Athletes usually wear these braces to prevent knee injuries during high-contact sports. These knee braces give stability and protection to the knee when playing sports like football or rugby.
- Functional: These are often recommended for those recovering from a knee injury to stabilize the knee joint during movement. They are commonly used after ligament injuries, like ACL tears, and help gain stability.
- Rehabilitative: After surgery or a severe injury, rehabilitative braces are used to limit movement and allow the knee joint to heal properly.
- Unloader: These are designed for people with osteoarthritis. They help reduce pressure on the knee joint, alleviate pain, and improve mobility.
How Orthopedic Knee Braces Help You Move with Confidence
Orthopedic knee braces support your knee by stabilizing the joint, reducing pain, and allowing you to move more freely. They help you stay active without the fear of further injury or discomfort. Let’s discuss how they work:
1. They Provide Stability
If your knee is unstable for some reason, you will feel it is about to break when exercising. This can be an unsettling experience. Orthopedic knee braces provide external support and keep your knee aligned and secure. If you have had an injury, like an ACL or MCL tear, a brace can give you the confidence to return to activities without worrying about re-injury.
2. Pain Relief
Knee pain is annoying but can be even more debilitating when every step of the way feels like a challenge. Knee braces reduce that pain by redistributing pressure away from the injured or inflamed areas. This is mainly helpful if you have arthritis or a runner’s knee. In these situations, a copper knee brace can provide extra support to move or stay active.
3. Protection During Recovery
A knee brace can be very helpful if you are healing from surgery or a serious injury. Medical professionals often recommend it as part of the rehabilitation process. A knee brace will limit harmful movements while you can still move freely. It makes sure that your knee heals properly without the risk of overdoing it too soon.
4. Confidence to Move Again
One of the hardest parts of recovering from a knee injury is the fear of re-injury. A knee brace can give you that much-needed confidence boost to start moving again without worrying about doing more damage. So, you can do what you enjoy: play sports or take the dog for a walk.
Closing Thoughts
Knee pain can be extreme and can slow you down. But it should not hold you back from the activities you love. Orthopedic knee braces help you recover from an injury, deal with arthritis, and prevent future knee issues. Wear your brace during activities that put a strain on your knees. It helps strengthen the muscles around your knee and maintain flexibility so you can move properly and get back to your active lifestyle.
