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: 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
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and velcro
- Lightweight design
- Good compression
- One size only
Its extra slim design allows a light and comfortable grip, avoiding sweat accumulation and slippage during use. Its structure is designed to generate compression above and below the kneecap to prevent movement and tendon injury. The one-size-fits-all adjustable neoprene can be worn by anyone. While the material is breathable, it may be uncomfortable for some users with high sweat rates.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: 3 Options: Black, Orange, Pink
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Velcro strap
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Hight Quality
- Suitable for everyone
- One size only
- Delicate wash
The knee strap works to keep the femur-patellar alignment stress-free during overloading exercises and provides the necessary stability so that tendons and ligaments are not strained. The one-size-fits-all brace, suitable for children, men and women, has a strap that stretches so that the inner pad is fixed in the strategic area. It is antiperspirant, but this adjustable product is not recommended for users who are allergic to nylon.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of products: 2
- Type: Strap and velcro
- Suitable for everyone
- Strong compression
- Good finish
- Adjustable compression
- No material specified
- Delicate wash
You can wear the knee support at any time, especially when you put stress on the joint, because the internal silicone pad keeps the kneecap stable at all times. But that's not all you'll find in this adjustable Velcro strap, you'll also have a non-slip bandage to keep it out of the way while you train. As it is breathable, you can use it on the beach, but it is important to know that the knee brace is not useful for users where the side buckle may disturb the comfort.
- 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: M-L-XL
- Colours: 3 Options: Grey, Blue, Green
- Material: Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone padding
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Breathable design
- Gel Pack
- No small sizes
- Delicate wash
The kneecap will stay in place thanks to the 360° compression offered by this sports garment and the gel pack will reinforce the soft tissue from any blows. Its different sizes will allow you to lead a healthy life and increase comfort, avoiding slippage of the compression garment when you wear it in training or at home. It is important to consider that the protector is not useful if the user does not support joint stiffness.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Blue, Grey
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Variety of sizes
- Gel Pack
- Not machine washable
The patellar protector has a unisex design with fabrics that adapt anatomically to any knee. Importantly, its soft material generates the necessary pressure, along with the patella-protecting silicone, to keep the joint stable and prevent injury. Please note that the support is not viable for use in people who are allergic to the materials with which the knee brace is made.
- Sizes: Size 0 - 7
- Colours: Grey and Blue
- Material: Cotton, Elastane, Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Breathable fabric
- Machine washable
- Omega Pad
- Strong compression
- Only one per order
- Difficulty in choosing sizes
The knee sleeve, with specially designed front silicone protector, generates increased blood supply and massages strategic points of the kneecap. This structure increases heat in the area, providing therapeutic benefits to the user. Lateral supports provide greater stability without restricting joint movement. In some products, the compression is not sufficient according to the user's expectations.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Black, Green
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Good fit
- Strong compression
- Not machine washable
The technology used in the manufacture allows the neoprene material to achieve a better and faster recovery from knee injuries or post-surgical stages. It can also be used by patients with arthritis or joint wear. The different sizes, for men and women, offer a mesh back ventilation that decreases moisture build-up. Be careful because the pain may not go away if you don't choose the right size knee brace.
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.