Knee braces are designed to provide compression, which helps lessen the direct pressure from the upper leg on a torn ligament or damaged meniscus. The increased pressure enhances and boosts blood flow to aid in the healing process. There is no denying that knee braces are beneficial for treating or preventing knee problems, but finding the right one can be a challenging task. Here’s a buying guide to finding the best knee support.

Protection levels
Look for knee braces with protection ratings between 1 and 3+ while selecting. The least supportive but most flexible brace is a Level 1 brace, like a knee sleeve. It gives mild to moderate support and works best for pain reduction.

More protective than Level 1 braces, Level 2 option nevertheless permits a range of motion while being less flexible. Knee straps and wraparound braces are two examples. You’ll get light to medium knee support to ease the pain from ligament instability and tendinitis.

The most support is provided by a Level 3 brace, such as a hinged knee brace, but the movement is constrained. Additionally, this kind of brace is typically heavier. In order to avoid reinjuring yourself, knee mobility should be restricted while you are healing after surgery. There is always the choice of a 3+ Level for Maximum Protection to go even further. This level is ideal for providing support and pain relief for illnesses and instabilities that range from moderate to severe.

Tightness of knee braces
Be careful when positioning the brace on the knee. The ideal fit for knee braces is snug but not too tight. While some braces might open completely to be placed around your knee, others might require you to slip it over your foot and calf. If necessary, make sure the straps are snug enough to restrict movement but not so tight that your leg below the knee experiences pain, numbness, or tingling. Try the two-finger approach to determine how tight a knee brace should be:

• Attach the straps to the brace and put it on
• Two fingers should be able to slide under a strap
• It can be too tight if you can’t get two fingers under the strap
• It can be too loose if you can easily fit two fingers inside and perhaps a third
• For each strap, perform the two-finger test once more until it feels comfortable

Types of knee braces
Knee braces come in a variety of styles, including straps, wraparound braces, hinged braces, and sleeves.

Hinged braces
A hinged brace is the best option when an athlete needs protection and stabilization following surgery for an ACL, MCL, or PCL injury. Athletes, most often, injure their ligaments with a faulty twist, poor knee-to-ankle alignment, or a terrible landing. A hinged brace protects the knee of the athlete while providing stability and support for rapid healing. After surgery, your doctor might suggest a hinged knee brace; however, once you’ve fully recovered, they might suggest a different kind of brace. Hinged braces can be rigid or flexible, with flexible braces offering less support than rigid ones.

Sleeves/compression braces
These types of braces help reduce arthritis and mild to moderate chronic knee discomfort. These support braces reduce pain from daily activity. They disperse the load-bearing strain and improve the ability to perform during training and sports. They can be worn comfortably every day beneath garments.

Wraparounds
Wraparound styles offer bracing options for patellar instability, dislocation, and mild to moderate knee pain. You can adjust the fit for comfort and knee protection. Wearing a wrap-style brace while exercising allows you to concentrate on your performance without adding extra bulk.

Straps
Strap and band bracing can help relieve acute knee pain, jumper’s knee, or patellar tendinitis. These are made to deliver gentle, supportive pressure to the knee to lessen discomfort. Straps can be worn during daily activities and sports because they are simple to wear.

Closed and open patella braces
Seeing some braces with an open patella (a hole in the middle of the brace) and others with a closed patella could be perplexing. With adequate movement and tracking, braces with an open patella offer alleviation from knee pressure and additional kneecap support. On the other hand, the closed counterpart provides additional support and compression at the kneecap with the same pressure as the rest of the knee.

Custom knee braces
A custom knee brace is the best option as it is personalized using your knee measurements. If offers enough support to the compromised area.

The type of knee brace that you require will depend on your knee injury or pain. Also, the cost of a knee brace can range anywhere between $30 and $300, depending on the need and material used. Make sure you consult a healthcare expert before you buy braces.