Ligaments are the strong, elastic, fibrous tissue that connects bones together and provides stability to a joint. Although they have the ability to stretch and return to position without damage, they can tear if their maximum stretch limit is exceeded.
This results in a sprain, which usually affects the knees because they are made up of four ligaments. Since knee sprains are very common, compression knee sleeves have been developed to improve these injuries, and we will explain why here.
What is the best knee brace for for sprain and strain?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Green, Pink and Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 pieces
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Double Anti-Slip Silicone
Various Colours and Sizes
Stretch Fabric
- Breathable design
- Durable material
- Adjustable velcro straps
- Good compression
- One size only
- Voluminous
Its design incorporates two bands that act as lateral stabilisers and a gel pad to keep the kneecap in place. It is designed in breathable neoprene material that absorbs sweat and keeps the skin free of moisture. You can use it without any problems when running, every time you train or in case you need to recover from an injury. In some people, the item is not suitable for users who suffer from compression tingling.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with adjustable straps
- Anti-slip silicone
- Good compression
- 3 straps for better fit
- Breathable design
- Voluminous
- One size only
Fitting is very simple and you don't need another person to position the protective pad in front of the kneecap. The adjustable size allows the 4 lateral stabilisers to maintain proper joint alignment during use. To prevent soft tissue damage from overloading, it should be worn for as long as possible. It is suitable for use by patients with arthritis or after surgery. It is important to note that the support is not recommended for users with skin wounds.
- Breathable design
- Good compression
- Not machine washable
Its ergonomic structure adjusts to any knee, so men or women can use this patellar compressor without any problems. The one-size-fits-all design provides lighter support and improves blood circulation, preventing meniscus and patellar inflammation. The triple velcro strap provides better compression during sport, but the adjustment system may decrease over time, losing comfort during use.
- Sizes: L-XL
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with velcro fasteners
- Hight Quality
- Strong compression
- 3 adjustable straps
- Easy to use
- Few sizes available
- Voluminous
Its neoprene straps wrap around the circumference of the joint, providing extra support and improved knee support. It is ideal for use when training or needing to recover from injury because its inner lining is skin-friendly and the breathable loop fabric does not collect moisture or fungus. Please note that this knee compressor is not suitable for users with blood circulation problems.
- Sizes: S-M-L-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Open with velcro fasteners
- Hight Quality
- Strong fit and support
- Variety of sizes
- Adjustable compression
- Delicate wash
- Voluminous
Its structure is composed of two lateral supports to improve the alignment of the joint, two Velcro straps that adjust the knee brace to prevent displacement and 4 adjustable straps in the shape of a cross. Thanks to this technology, the kneecap does not move out of place and blood circulation is stimulated to relieve pain and reduce swelling in the affected area. The compressive sleeve may be itchy for some users with sensitive skin.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Open with bilateral support
- Variety of sizes
- Bilateral support
- Voluminous
With a Shock Doctor knee brace you prevent the joint from moving unnaturally and keep your knee away from injury. The side hinges help the braces compress the area to stimulate heat and relieve pain when training or suffering from arthritis. The one-size-fits-all brace can be worn by both men and women, although you should be aware that an anthill sensation is likely to occur when the product is too tight and prevents proper joint movement.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: 3 Options: White, Black, Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Strap and Velcro
- Adjustable design
- Strong compression
- No material specified
The internal silicone pad provides better compression in the important places, so you can adjust the knee brace according to your sporting needs. The material allows the skin to stay ventilated and prevents slippage when you are in physical training. Don't hesitate to buy this pair of knee braces to protect your meniscus and ligaments in tennis, basketball or hiking. Please note that this product is not useful for people with itchy or sensitive skin.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Blue
- Material: Elastic rubber
- No. of products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Good fit
- Hight Quality
- No material specified
The one-size-fits-all size offers a hook-and-loop closure strap to more efficiently adjust the joint and maintain alignment with the femur. It's ideal for carrying around and can be worn during the summer and under clothing to stimulate blood circulation. Itching and rashes may be common in people with skin sensitivities, so this product is not recommended for them.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the symptoms of a knee sprain?
A knee sprain is an injury to the central joint of the lower limb, which consists of four ligaments (medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament) that provide stability to the knee by connecting the bones in the joint.
Knee sprains are classified as follows, depending on the severity of the injury:
- Grade 1: this is an overstretching of the knee ligaments that does not result in a tear of the ligament tissue and is not associated with laxity of the joint, so it is the mildest of all cases.
- Grade 2: results in partial rupture of the ligaments (approximately 50% or less) and tends to cause mild joint instability. As a result, there is deformity of the knee.
- Grade 3: In this case, there is a complete rupture of the ligaments (or more than 50%), and there is an inability of the injured knee to function and deformity.
The main causes and risk factors that usually trigger this type of knee sprain are:
- Blows or direct trauma to a part of the joint.
- Practice of certain sports (soccer, karate, basketball, handball, skiing, etc.).
- Falling with bent knees.
- Insufficient force on the muscles in this area.
- Starting a physical activity without warming up or stretching.
- Sudden change of direction when walking or running.
- Having problems with flexibility.
- Muscle breakdown or lack of coordination.
The main signs and symptoms of this condition are:
- Pain and stiffness around the knee: These are constant when the patient tries to walk and become more severe depending on the severity of the sprain.
- Inflammation or swelling: the affected knee shows deformity with redness, including adjacent areas.
- Limited mobility: after the sprain, the patient is unable to perform normal movements.
- Bruising: These are caused by internal bleeding due to the impact on the area.
- Sensitivity to touch and perception of an annoying cracking sound.
- Inability tostand on the injured leg.
Advantages and benefits of knee braces for sprain and strain
To properly treat a sprain, it is first necessary to consult a specialist who will analyze the causes of the injury, its dangerousness and the symptoms it has caused in the patient. In this way, a personalized treatment can be determined, which will help to cure the pathology as soon as possible and prevent more serious knee diseases.
It is recommended to perform compression therapy in this area, as it guarantees benefits. This is a medically proven method in which controlled pressure is applied to the injured area using an elastic device to regulate the function of the vascular wall and improve blood flow.
The benefits of compression therapy in the treatment of a knee sprain are as follows:
- Less pain: the knee is kept stable to avoid the constant movement that causes this discomfort.
- Promotes the rehabilitation process because it reduces fatigue in the knee area and helps it to function properly again.
- They provide protection in the area: because they are used to prevent major injuries, help prevent future sprains and relapses by stabilizing the knee.
- Improving blood circulation to the area: this is effective in preventing inflammatory processes or serious injuries.
- Ensuring comfort and safety: by using these compression garments, the patient feels safer when performing any activity that involves their knee after healing. Moreover, they are comfortable for walking, running, hiking, cycling, etc.