Attempting to do anything without a stable base is challenging. Anyone with a current or previous knee injury will know that performing simple daily tasks without a fully functioning leg can be extremely frustrating and painful.
This can certainly be the case with a meniscus tear. A torn meniscus is a common injury as it can occur at any time.
The injury is usually induced when you forcefully twist or rotate your knee, especially when putting your full weight on it.
Finding an appropriate knee brace that matches the specific requirements for your recovery and one that will help not hinder the injury can be difficult.
Our comprehensive guide below should allow you to make an informed decision on which one can aid your rehabilitation best and make your life that little bit more manageable and pain-free;
King Of Kings Patella Knee Brace
Made from synthetic rubber and utilizing the hook and loop closure method, this versatile knee brace provides comfort and support for multiple conditions including a meniscus tear.
This product can increase knee mobility and performance in pain-free flexibility. It contains a gel pad to control swelling and inflammation levels which is a huge part of the pain relief system this brace incorporates.
This top-quality knee brace applies compression directly upon the knee and the unique engineering from the 3-layer design system increases comfort.
The design protects the knee joint from harm when you engage in physical activities and the inclusion of perforated neoprene enhances the breathability of the product to keep your skin cool at all times.
Pros:
- Keeps your skin cool with unmatched wicking performance.
- Provides stability and protection to the knee joints.
- Extremely light and universally adjustable
Cons:
- This product contains neoprene which can cause some users to develop a rash
EzyFit Knee Brace Support
Professionally made for natural lateral and medial support movement, the EzyFit Knee Brace Support can breathe new life into your physical activities and your daily movements.
A real difference-maker for all types of knee injuries including meniscus tears, this product enables you to feel great again by significantly reducing pain and instability issues.
It is comfortable and easy to use, coming with reinforced double-stitching and robust velcro closures for a secure feel to the brace.
Effective heat therapy for joint pain relief and faster recovery so you can get fit and active quickly despite your meniscus injury.
The EzyFit Knee Brace Support is made from a breathable and flexible neoprene material to enhance the user experience and improve comfort levels.
It comes with nylon and polyester blend for quick turnarounds of wash and wears and its quadruple stabilizers provide secure and reassuring support when worn.
Pros:
- Dual stabilizers, on either side of your knee, providing strong yet flexible support
- The best support of your knee joint with the 3 strong and fully adjustable closures, making sure you get exactly the compression you need without becoming uncomfortable or causing unwanted slippage
- Non-slip silicone gel lines to ensure the brace stays firmly in place
Cons:
- You may need to measure the leg in 3 different places to find the right size for you
- This product contains neoprene which can cause some users to develop a rash
Physix Gear Knee Support Brace
Made from 67% Nylon and 33% Latex, this knee compression sleeve is ideal for both men and women who require pain relief with no pills or injections.
The Physix Gear Knee Support Brace is the perfect combination to prevent further injury, reduce inflammation, and both support and stabilize the knee.
With a choice of five sizes and three colors, you have multiple options to suit your individual needs and requirements.
The Physix Gear Knee Support stays safe in place, won’t roll down, or bunch up and hinder your movement no matter what motion you are doing. It doesn’t trap sweat underneath and will keep odors away whilst you stay cool and pain-free.
This product comes with a premium elastic fabric blend designed for heavy-duty support. It is lightweight enough to be worn under pants or workout leggings and still allows a full range of motion.
Pros:
- Fits both left and right knees
- Comfortable to wear
- Adequate compression levels without restricting movement
Cons:
- Measurements for size guides lack clarity and have confused some customers
Funpkin Knee Brace for Meniscus Tear Relief
This product is versatile and flexible with a fully adjustable strap to loosen or tighten at your convenience and wearable on either the left or right. It fits for sizing of 10-18 inches in circumference and contains specially designed patella gel pads.
In addition to this, the metal side stabilizers fit your knee joint tightly whilst strengthening through solid side support.
This provides the ultimate joint stability which can be maintained throughout any motion as the pressure is dispersed effectively and your joints remain lubricated.
Pros:
- Great Water Absorption & Breathability
- Soft Anti-slip Material for Good Stability
- Best Choice for Sports Protection and Pain Recovery
Cons:
- It may not be suitable for general wear support as this product is heavily focused on exercise and recovery
Athledict Knee Brace Compression Sleeve
Unlike many other sleeves with the same or similar objectives, the Athledict Knee Brace Compression Sleeve has an anatomical shape.
This unique and precise design is engineered this way to provide a point of difference for the customer and provide intricate detail for your recovery.
It may mean ordering a size up due to the tight fit but it gives you better support, stability, and pain relief throughout.
This product targets the exact spots you need to move with more confidence and less pain and can do so without weakening your muscles or joints during frequent use which is common with other support systems.
Pros:
- Great Stability
- Quick recovery and all-day comfort
- Pain-relief and support for most knee injuries
Cons:
- Sizes run small
- Silicone dots have caused rashes
Powerlix Compression Knee Sleeve
This product provides optimal pressure across your knee while you’re working out and during casual everyday activities. This sleeve is an ideal solution for tackling a range of activities without the frustration of your knee injury slowing you down.
The Powerlix Compression Knee Sleeve enables meniscus tear sufferers a full range of leg motion during common activities and even suitable casual sports.
Made from premium durable quality materials it offers superb support and stability without sacrificing any of your movement potentials.
Tight, form-fitting and breathable orthopedic fabric maintain joint stability regardless of activity while avoiding the itchiness common to neoprene supports.
It excels at wicking sweat, keeping your legs dry, and odor-free without slipping during motion. This is assured by the anti-slip system built into the Powerlix Compression Knee Sleeve.
Pros:
- 4-way compression sleeve ergonomically designed for a full range of motion and maximum protection.
- Special fabric gives you a smooth and soft touch feel all day and all night long!
- Knitted technical design that bands your knees in full support.
Cons:
- Not ideal for wearing through the night
Galvaran Knee Brace
This product contains concealed soft spring support strips on both sides of the knee joint support as part of an intricate design focused on the needs of the customer.
This provides sufficient compression and support for the knee and patella, which is very helpful for postoperative recovery and sports injuries.
The Galvaran Knee Brace effectively relieves knee joint pain from a meniscus tear and other significant knee injuries.
Even when used for a long time, the Galvaran Knee Brace can keep your knees dry and prevent odor. It provides physical comfort and support during use and the inclusion of an elastic shock-absorbing sponge pad offers extra comfort.
The breathable mesh woven design is convenient for wicking perspiration, allowing the skin to breathe freely and preventing any unpleasant skin conditions.
Pros:
- Quickly relieve fatigue and promote metabolism, accelerate knee self-healing.
- Used for postoperative recovery and sports injuries
- Effectively prevents further injury
- Reduces pressure on the knee and stabilizes the joint.
- Maximum stability, flexibility, and comfort.
Cons:
- Can only be hand washed
Arrow Splints Knee Brace
A reinforced stability system enables the Arrow Splints Knee Brace to stand out from its competitors. The dual-stabilized build is part of an extremely strong product structure that includes an open-patella feature for maximum knee support.
The knee brace kit offers optimized support for torn meniscus injuries and other painful knee conditions.
Both the knee brace and knee sleeve consist of premium neoprene that keeps an optimal joint temperature. Our signature fabric wicks away moisture to keep your knee dry all day and night long.
The Arrow Splints Knee sleeve offers optimal muscle support during workouts and everyday activities and can be combined with the knee brace for extra support.
Pros:
- Comfort levels
- Full knee protection
- Extra strength fasteners
Cons:
- Only comes with the silicone stabilizer strips inside
- If you don’t wear both the sleeve and the brace together, the brace can slip
Run Forever Sports Patella Strap Knee Brace Support
This knee strap provides a way to do exercise without worrying about your meniscus tear or knee pain.
It goes around your knee, right below your kneecap, and over your patellar tendon to provide support for your knees, which releases the tension, and gives you immediate relief from the knee pain.
It is fully adjustable and versatile enough to fit the curve of your knee no matter what you are doing.
The Run Forever Sports Patella Strap Knee Brace Support is comfortable and will not slip. This product is made from high-quality materials which exude comfort and optimize support so that your meniscus injury is less painful during motion.
The fabric absorbs the sweat and thus prevents any wet or slippery feeling on the knee.
Pros:
- 100% lifetime guarantee
- Comfortable and non-slip
- High-quality material
Cons:
- Not a great fit for small females
- Does not help with arthritic issues
Sparthos Knee Brace
The Sparthos knee support dramatically reduces the painful symptoms that knee injury sufferers have to endure whilst moving around.
It alleviates pain from knee injuries like ACL, MCL & meniscus tears, strains and sprains, muscle fatigue, and others.
This product provides lateral support, keeps your kneecap in place, and still allows full range of motion. It supports underlying tendons and muscles and lets you carry out your daily tasks, including workouts.
The Sparthos Knee Brace protects you from further injury and making your meniscus tear worse.
It contains four flexible springs which enhance the open patella design for the ultimate knee stabilization mechanism. The velcro straps ensure that they will not slip and give the user complete peace of mind.
Pros:
- Dual side springs provide solid and flexible support for both sides of your knee.
- Provides total support without limiting your range of motion.
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Aesthetics are not great
Buyer’s Guide
Knee braces can provide a low-risk option for reducing knee pain and improving function.
More often than not, the common knee brace offers intervention for many knee problems including the troublesome meniscus tear.
The straightforward solution of wearing a knee brace is accessible, affordable, and effective for the injured party and can be a quicker alternative than waiting for surgery.
It can also provide short-term relief if you are on waiting lists for physiotherapy or further medical advice.
Multiple Choice Of Style and Variation
When choosing a knee brace, it’s important to find one that provides adequate support without being too heavy or ugly.
Aesthetics are not the prime focus of a knee brace but if you are to be wearing it regularly you want it to be as pleasing on the eye as possible so you feel comfortable in social situations and in public.
You must weigh up the cost, value, style, material, and longevity of the product which can be difficult for first-time buyers. A basic breakdown of the knee brace variations you will come across is below
- Unloader braces: These are specially designed to take pressure off the knee joint.
- Open patellar braces: Designed with a hole for the patella (kneecap) to sit in.
- Sleeve-style braces: Simply slip over your knee like a sleeve.
- Strap-style braces: Aim to stabilize the knee with low-profile straps that fit under clothing.
- Wraparound braces: Normally use two straps that wrap around the knee.
A patient suffering from mild knee pain doesn’t need a large, hinged knee brace. This would be detrimental to them as it would drastically limit their movement and flexibility.
It would be far more beneficial to adopt a softer brace or even a compression sleeve to attend to their discomfort levels. This would allow them sufficient pain relief and mobility without having the unnecessary means of the large stiff brace.
Knee Brace Support Vs Potential Cure
Please bear in mind that although they may ease frustrations and make life easier, knee braces are there for support and not to be the cure for your suffering.
They will provide life-altering support but will not heal the knee injury alone. They will assist the process but cannot stand alone as a long-term solution.
This is why the emphasis on both choosing the correct type of brace and the additional workload that accompanies it should always be in tandem to form your recovery plan.
This way you can achieve maximum results, achieve optimum performance, and realize the full potential of your knees treatment in conjunction with your new knee brace.
Other treatment options to combine with wearing a knee brace can include but are not limited to the following:
- kinesiology taping (common for patellar tracking disorders)
- anti-inflammatory medications
- exercise
- stretching
- balance training
- physical therapy modalities, like heat and cold therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a knee brace all the time?
You can but you probably shouldn’t. It helps greatly to remove the brace for periods where you are sitting down or traveling short distances.
Use your knee brace for any activity where you need support with your stability or when you will be on your feet for long periods of time.
Should I wear a knee brace through the night?
Although some postsurgical patients may be instructed to wear a brace at night on the surgeon’s advice, it is not commonly recommended to use a brace whilst sleeping at night.
Recovery from surgery sometimes requires limited or fixed movement but apart from this, a brace should be removed at night.
How long should I wear a knee brace?
There is no set time frame for a brace unless medically advised as part of the recovery process by a physician. You can continue to wear a brace for as long as you feel the benefits of it and it continues to enhance your mobility and stability.
Can a knee brace weaken my knee?
Everyone is different and in certain cases, the results and recovery of a particular treatment will fluctuate and vary. This is the same for brace-wearers and brace types.
As a general rule, wearing a knee brace may cause you to not use the muscles that support your knee as much as you normally would.