How Long Should You Wear a Knee Brace?
Updated: Oct 5
Knee pain is a common problem around the world. Many people, young and old, are suffering from knee pain, but the number of old people experiencing knee pain is greater than young people. The treatment of knee pain varies with the cause of the knee pain. Sometimes doctors prescribe medication and sometimes surgery is suggested to cure the knee pain. However, a knee brace for knee pain is also commonly used to relieve knee pain and improve quality of life. Knee braces are often worn by sportsmen as well to protect their knees from injury.
So, what are knee braces? How can they help with knee pain? How long should they be worn?
If your brain is filled with these questions, read on to get answers.
What Is a Knee Brace?
A knee brace is actually a knee support that helps provide you with comfort and ease knee pain. It wraps around your knee and provides you with support for your joints and takes away pressure from the knee that helps you walk comfortably and relieves pain as well. Knee braces are made of a variety of materials, including foam, plastic, metal, elastic material, and straps, and are intended to provide support and relief in a variety of knee conditions. However, you must consult a doctor before using a knee brace for knee pain.
Knee braces are easily available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Moreover, they are available in different types to help you with different knee problems. Here are some common types of braces:
Functional Knee Brace
A functional knee brace provides support for your knees. It is usually worn after an injury to prevent re-injury. Athletes often wear a functional knee brace after a significant injury to protect their knees. Functional knee braces are designed to provide support for the knee. It provides stability to the knee and controls motion to reduce the chances of re-injury.
Rehabilitative Knee Brace
Rehabilitative knee braces are worn after an injury or surgery when you are not allowed to move your knees. A rehabilitative knee brace limits the movement of your knees and it is adjustable as well. So, you can adjust it according to your knee condition.
Unloading Knee Brace
An unloading knee brace is often worn by arthritis patients. It provides support and relief to arthritis patients. It is designed to Relief of the lateral or medial compartment to reduce or prevent pain depending on your condition.
Prophylactic Knee Brace
A prophylactic knee brace is popular among athletes who play contact sports. The prophylactic knee brace protects your knee from injuries that are common in contact sports due to strong hits to the knees.
Knee Sleeves
Knee sleeves are over the counter knee support for knee pain. It is basically a compression stocking that you can wear to provide support and comfort for knee pain or swelling. A good knee support should be snug fitting to provide adequate support for your knee.
How Long Should You Wear a Knee Brace?
It depends on the type and severity of your injury or pain. The best thing is to consult a doctor for expert guidance. Here we have briefly explained how long you can wear a knee brace, but follow your doctor’s guidance on wearing a knee brace.
ACL Injuries
An ACL injury is a common and dangerous injury in sports. It can end or derail the career of an athlete. An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) joins the upper leg bone (femur) to the lower leg bone (tibia), and any injury to this joint is called an ACL injury or tear. An ACL injury is usually caused by overstretching or landing in the wrong position while jumping. Doctors recommend a suitable treatment according to the level of an ACL tear.
First Degree Tear: In a first-degree tear, the ACL is actually stretched and not torn and you will experience swelling and pain in the area, but you will be able to walk. For first-degree tears, it is advised to wear a knee brace for 4 to 6 weeks.
Second Degree Tear: In a second-degree tear, the ACL is slightly torn and you will feel swelling, pain, and tenderness in your knee. You can walk, but you will feel pain while walking, and patients with second-degree tears are often found limping. Doctors recommend wearing a knee brace for 6 to 8 weeks for a second-degree tear.
Third Degree Tear: In a third-degree tear, the ACL is completely torn and you will feel a tremendous amount of pain and swelling. Surgery is needed for a third-degree tear, and you will need to wear a knee brace for 8 to 10 weeks after the surgery.
Meniscus Injury
The meniscus is a c-shaped rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shinbone and the thighbone. A meniscus injury usually occurs if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight. The doctor will recommend the right course of treatment for a meniscus injury after determining the severity of the injury. The doctor will also recommend which type of knee brace would be suitable for your injury, and you will have to wear the brace for 6 weeks.
If you or your loved one needs knee support for knee pain, Life Force Limbs and Rehab has a wide range of options available for you. Just click here to visit our online store or enquire for more information.