If you play tennis, table tennis or badminton, you are likely to be exposed to knee injuries due to the sudden movements and high loads that are common during training.
To avoid these types of accidents, knee braces are the best alternative. In this article, you will learn how to choose them and their importance in preventing and treating injuries caused by these sports.
What is the best knee brace for tennis injuries?
- Sizes: M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and Velcro
- Adjustable straps for better fit
- High compression
- No small sizes
- Only one per order
Thanks to its different sizes, with bidirectional support, the internal pad adapts to the patella to compress the area and prevent its displacement. The system of straps with Velcro closure allows a better grip to stabilize the knee and stimulate heat. You can use it in summer without any problem because its material evaporates sweat. Consider that, in order to obtain a quick deflation, the injury should not be in advanced degrees.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Various sizes
- Good fit and compression
- No material specified
- Only one per order
Stimulation of blood circulation is easily generated because the length of this bandage keeps the quadriceps and calf muscles firm, which keeps the joint aligned and supported against sports overloads! You can also use it for surgical recovery or to prevent wear and tear in case of arthritis. In some patients the maximum flexibility of the knee is not obtained.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene(63%), Nylon(32%), Spandex(5%)
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and Velcro
- High compression
- Various sizes
- High Quality materials
- Breathable
- Too bulky
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
Its system of lateral stabilizers, with Velcro straps, generates the correct pressure so that the knee does not suffer damage and thus avoid injuries to ligaments, tendons and muscles. Being made of breathable material, the knee brace evaporates moisture and its inner lining provides comfort to keep the gel pad attached to the kneecap. It may happen that, in higher overload activities, the ligaments and meniscus are not properly protected.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: SBR(63%), Nylon(32%), Spandex(5%)
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with silicone pad
- Silicone pad
- Good compression
- Strap for better fit
- Breathable
- One size only
- Too bulky
- Only one per order
The Bodyprox knee brace can be used by anyone, as its one size fits quickly and easily to the knee. In addition, the cross straps generate more pressure to keep the patella fixed. But that's not all, the internal gel pad contributes to eliminate joint displacement. Due to the composition of the materials, skin irritation can be a common cause in this brace.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 6 Options
- Material: Nylon, Lycra
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: Closed
- Various colors
- 2 By order
- Low level Compression
The lightweight and comfortable fabric of the Modvel knee brace is available in all sizes and, thanks to its design, the muscles will remain stable, without having a high compression. Every time you use it during training or when you go for a walk, this support will generate enough temperature to get the therapeutic benefits of warmth. And don't worry about perspiration, because the material wicks away sweat. In some cases, the knee brace may be of little use for walking and may only be suitable for sitting.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-2L-3XL
- Colors: 7 Options
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Silicone pad
- Good compression
- Variety of colors
- Quality finishes
- No material specified
- Not suitable for washing machine
- Only one per order
In all the sizes you can choose there is a silicone pad located in the center to prevent the patella from moving and causing tendon and ligament ruptures. Compression is exerted by its metal lateral supports that anatomically delineate the joint, generating just the right compression to prevent any type of injury. Stability is created by the 3D cutting technology with which it is manufactured. In some patients the upper part of the knee brace may detach and cause discomfort.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: 3 Options: White, Gray, Pink
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and Velcro
- Various models
- Good fit and compression
- One size only
- Only one per order
The adjustable neoprene sleeve keeps the skin dry because it evaporates perspiration when you are wearing. It is also noteworthy that, to prevent injuries and reduce stress on the joint there are three straps with Velcro closure that achieve the right compression to improve the stability of the knee. Pay attention because, in some cases of sliding patella, the one size of this compressive garment may be insufficient.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with lateral stabilizers
- Lateral stabilizer support
- Good compression
- Strong fit
- Breathable
- Large sizes only
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
It has removable metal hinges on each side that together with the adjustable straps generate the right compression to keep the joint aligned. Knee stability is guaranteed when training or practicing your favorite sport thanks to the patellar support design. For some users, the knee brace may prevent them from climbing stairs or performing similar movements, so you should be aware of this point.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in tennis and badminton?
In racket sports that, as mentioned above, involve sudden movements or require great flexibility and resistance, such as jumps, bends and lateral strokes, knee injuries are very common and can be caused by overtraining or simply by the muscular tension to which we are subjected.
Here are some of the most common knee and joint injuries that occur in these sports:
Patellar tendonitis
This injury originates in the patellar tendon, a tissue that connects the kneecap and the tibia, two bones that facilitate movement and connect the knee to the ankle. This type of injury usually occurs during repetitive movements such as jumping or running, which are very common in racquet sports.
This puts a lot of pressure on the tendon and causes inflammation, which is painful for the athlete and makes it difficult for them to perform everyday activities such as standing, running, climbing stairs and playing sports. In sports such as tennis, these types of injuries are common and, although not serious, require a period of recovery to maintain the required physical performance.
ACL injury
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important tissue ligaments in the knee because it connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), the bone that connects the knee to the ankle, helping to stabilize the joint.
This injury can be caused by sudden movements, such as: sudden changes in speed, a blow to the knee, sudden stopping, jumping in the wrong position, etc. In this type of injury, the athlete feels a tear in the knee, suffers swelling, has difficulty supporting or moving the leg, and has little stability when lifting. Treatment can range from bandaging, stretching and physical therapy to surgery.
MCL injury
This ligament, like the previous one, is one of the most important in the knee. It connects the femur to the tibia, provides stability and mobility, and prevents valgus knee, where the two joints move toward each other and the ankles diverge.
If you take a blow to the knee or suddenly change your position, which is normal in these sports, it is likely that you will suffer this type of injury and have symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling and difficulty moving, which will prevent you from playing the sport for some time. When training, for example in badminton, the ligaments often suffer from the movements that require constant stretching.
Meniscus injury
The menisci are two structures at the junction of the femur and tibia bones whose job is to provide strength and stability, facilitate movement and hold the bones together. It can occur when the knee is bent for an extended period of time, from an impact or blow to the knee, from sudden rotations while the leg is resting on a surface, or from causes beyond our control, such as the passage of time. It can cause stiffness, swelling, difficulty walking, and pain when bending the knee.
Generally, this type of trauma occurs in tennis when sudden movements or poor technique are used and directly affect the knee joint. These bends can be as simple as a 90-degree turn or carrying too much weight on one leg. Athletes who suffer from this injury cannot participate in these sports for some time and must undergo various treatments that may include: Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery and the use of compression garments.
Chondromalacia of the patella
Chondromalacia is an injury to the cartilage tissue of the kneecap, a rounded bone whose function is to facilitate the movement of the knee. The cause varies widely and can be caused by excessive bending of the knees during racquet sports.
The result is limited motion, swelling of the knee, difficulty with partial or full bending, stair climbing, bending, and of course, the inability to play tennis or any other racquet sport. Treatment may include physical therapy, compression garments, rest and, for more complex injuries, surgery.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for tennis
Sports knee braces are extremely important for racket sports, but that doesn't mean you should buy the first best one right away, because there are certain features that affect how well the garment works that you should consider when buying.
To help you make the best choice, here we explain the most important points you should know before buying:
Depending on the function
- Knee braces for pain relief: Sports knee sleeves are designed to relieve pain caused by constant muscle work or daily injuries from sports and repetitive movements. Compression sleeves with built-in gel, for example, massage the soft tissues and muscles during movement to prevent swelling from friction that can wear away cartilage and inflame the bursae in the knee.
- Knee supports: they provide additional safety. They are designed to provide protection from the first moment of use and avoid situations that put a lot of stress on the knees and cause severe joint or muscle pain.
- Stabilizing knee braces: this type of knee braces offers more pressure to the athlete and is able to better distribute the weight, ensuring balance and proper distribution during training, especially during the sudden movements that are common in tennis training, such as push-ups and jumps. When practicing racket sports, this type of knee braces can provide enough support to avoid serious injuries, thanks to its high protection standard.
- Open knee braces: they are known for their flexibility and preservation of mobility, that is, they allow the free movement of the knee joint without having to exert too much effort to affect the tendons, for example, avoiding any type of injury in this area. The shape is open at the front to better enclose the kneecap and improve breathability.
- Closed knee braces: they are responsible for protecting the entire knee area and offer greater protection thanks to the compression that can be applied, depending on the model. They are usually used with gel padding to protect the softer parts and offer more comfort during the highly flexible movements common in racket sports.
Material
If you are prone to skin irritation and allergies or simply value comfort, the manufacturing material is certainly a point you cannot ignore when choosing your knee brace. The most common materials are neoprene, which offers high strength and compression, ensuring stability, support and performance. Elastic fabrics or spandex are also often used, which together with neoprene provide good support but more flexibility.
Type of support
One of the most important aspects of a good knee support is that the garment should always sit firmly on the knee. While it should sit firmly on the joint, it can cause the joint to rotate during the sudden movements that occur when playing tennis, which is unfavorable for the smooth functioning of the joint.
To avoid these accidents, certain types of support are explained:
- Velcro Knee Support: this is the most commonly used fastening system for knee supports in general. Highly recommended for racquet sports because of the good support it provides, you can also change the compression according to the taste of the individual.
- Strap knee brace: they are customizable straps, that is, they can be adjusted to the shape of the joint of the person, so they are safe during any workout and also better protect the kneecap.
- Knee brace with non-slip silicone: it creates a stable compression during any sport or physical activity and prevents the knee brace from rolling or moving from its place.
Size
The size of the knee brace is a fundamental factor in the effectiveness of its function, because there is no point in buying a garment that is suitable in terms of function and material, but is too big or too small; the only thing you will achieve is that the blood circulation will be interrupted if the knee brace is smaller, or the level of protection will decrease if you use a larger size.
Design
The design of the knee brace depends on the needs of the consumer, there are thousands of products on the market that are designed to meet different requirements. For racquet sports, there are aesthetically pleasing sports compression knee sleeves that provide good support, with a variety of designs, some of which are simple but have very specific functions.
It is important that you consider all of the above when choosing a garment, especially if you have a specific type of injury that you need to take care of. It is always important that you are aware of the level of your physical training, so you need to choose a garment that is up to that pace. Choose one that you feel comfortable in and can incorporate into your frequent workout routines.
Price
In this sense, it is worth mentioning the importance of buying a compression knee brace that stands out for its materials, durability, pressure in the area and more, as the sports compression knee braces that are the most recommended in the modern market today, that, apart from its cost, will be a fully functional garment and with quick results in common.
Are compression knee sleeves for tennis really effective?
Racquet sports do not involve physical contact like other sports, but abnormal stretches, jumps, bends and other sudden movements during these exercises are very harmful to the proper functioning of the knee, and we must not forget that an injury to the joint may require the interruption of training and, depending on the severity, the end of the professional career.
This is where the compression knee brace comes in, preferred by many athletes to prevent injuries and improve them significantly, although it also performs other functions: improving blood circulation, preventing diseases such as lymphedema, speeding recovery, improving performance, relieving pain, reducing inflammation and much more. All these benefits are achieved by wearing the garment properly and continuously.
The data contained in this article has been confirmed by therapeutic and sports science studies, so we can confirm the good performance of knee braces for tennis and any other racket sport, with which you will have a safer future.