The knee brace (in English, Knee Brace) is one of the tools that some resort to when feeling pain and discomfort in one or both knees, and in this article we will talk in detail about the benefits of using a knee brace and its different types.

When is the use of a knee brace?

Some resort to using this corset in the following cases:

• When recovering from an injury or after knee surgery.
• when doing sports.
• Reducing pain caused by a knee injury.
• Alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis disease.

Knee brace types

Choosing the type of knee brace depends on the reason for using it, and we will present the different types below:

1. Athletic or protective knee brace

This type is used if a person knows the possibility of a knee injury, and athletes use this type for prevention, and this type is well padded to protect the knee.

2. Knee corset for weight redistribution

This type is used to reduce the weight that puts pressure on the affected part of the knee, and shift the pressure to another area that is able to bear the weight, especially in the case of tendinitis, osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, or patellofemoral.

3. Functional knee brace

This type is used to stabilize the knee joints, which helps prevent knee injury, especially in the case of weak knee ligaments, and the possibility of dislocating the knee.

4. Rehabilitation knee brace

This type is used after knee surgeries such as reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament or meniscal rupture, in this case the corset helps to stabilize the knee joints, which facilitates healing.

knee brace benefits

There are many benefits to using this corset, including the following:

• Knee support and stabilization.
• Reducing knee pain.
• The ability to move with ease and confidence.
• Ligaments treatment after surgeries and injuries.

Questions to ask before using a knee brace

There are a number of questions that you should ask your doctor before using a knee brace, including:

• Is there a necessary need to use this corset?
• Can the corset be replaced with medication?
• What is the duration of using this corset and what is the ideal period for follow-up to ensure its effectiveness in performing its function?

knee brace side effects

There are a number of harms and side effects that result from the use of this corset, which must be consulted by a specialist doctor when noticing, including:

1. Discomfort

Some feel at the beginning of using the corset uncomfortable, due to the weight of the corset on the knee and leg, the inability to carry it due to its largeness, and the feeling of heat as a result of wearing it for a long time, which may cause it to slip.

2. Skin irritation or swelling

This point is related to the previous point, because the pressure of the corset on the skin can sometimes cause skin irritation, redness, and swelling around the joints.

3. Not achieving the desired interest

Patients with osteoarthritis use the knee brace to a large extent, but there is not a sufficient number of scientific studies that confirm its effectiveness in recovering patients, and there are conflicting opinions between supporters and opponents about its effectiveness.

4. Joint stiffness

We mentioned at the beginning of the article that the corset can be used to treat one of the knees, so some people may put pressure on the healthy knee, and over time this may cause joint stiffness in the affected knee.

5. Increased knee pain

The corset sometimes causes an increase in knee pain, if it is worn in the wrong way, so it must be tried in front of the specialist doctor to make sure that you feel comfortable, and you should not take it off without consulting the doctor, because taking it off before the knee recovers may disrupt the recovery process, and the doctor can also be asked The specialist about the extent to which it can be worn while sleeping, driving, walking, sitting, and when performing stretching and flexibility exercises.

6. Ineffectiveness in some cases

There are a number of cases in which it is not appropriate to wear a corset, when there are deformities in the foot, or when suffering from chronic venous insufficiency or peripheral neuropathy.

In sum, there are a variety of types of knee corset that are used according to the cause of the knee injury, and it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor before using this corset in order to avoid unnecessary damage.