Good condition of the knee joint is important for normal mobility. If there is any problem, disease or injury to the musculoskeletal system, every step is accompanied by severe knee pain, sometimes even unbearable. To treat the knee joint, drugs and physiotherapy are prescribed. Care must be taken to protect it from external influences. For this, a knee brace was invented to immobilize the knee joint. These devices are made of a variety of materials, offer varying degrees of protection, and have a wide range of applications.
Indications for the use of knee brace
Such immobilizers are used not only to protect the affected joint, but also to reduce the load on the joint, as well as to normalize the functioning of the joint after trauma and surgery. Knee pads can be used both therapeutically (for example, with rheumatoid arthritis) and to prevent various diseases. However, you can wear the device only after the appointment of the attending physician, otherwise it will cause a violation of the blood supply to the joint and aggravate the problem.
Wearing a knee brace is indicated both for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. They are often recommended for athletes to wear to prevent injury. Devices for immobilization are prescribed for therapy:
- dry joints and arthritis;
- dislocation and division;
- pathologies of a rheumatic nature;
- sprain;
- injury and lead to joint instability.
Usually, the use of immobilizers is indicated in the rehabilitation period after trauma or complex surgery.
Wearing an orthopedic is recommended for the purpose of:
- Remove the damaged knee joint. The machine is recommended for people with joint diseases, when any step is accompanied by an unbearable pain, causing the recovery process to be significantly delayed;
- prevention of diseases and injuries. The use of knee pads and bandages when playing sports is mandatory for athletes, as well as those working in the trade and construction sectors. People who are overweight need to wear a special elastic knee brace;
- immobilize the injured knee joint. In this case, the use of compression bandages is indicated to help prevent further damage to the knee or meniscus, reducing swelling and severe pain. In this case, the fixing device is a kind of additional stabilizer for the joint;
- movement restriction. For this, the use of a rigid bandage is prescribed, which completely excludes any movement.
Knee pads help:
- Speed up the healing process.
- Prevents meniscus and knee injuries.
- Strengthens damaged joints.
- Keep the patient moving.
- Pain relief.
- Improves lymph flow and blood circulation.
- Remove eye bags.
- Minimizes inflammatory processes in the joints.
- Reduce load.
- Facilitates knee movement.
In addition, orthopedic fixators are an excellent alternative to impractical plaster casts.
What material are braces made of?
For the manufacture of orthopedic used a significant amount of materials. The most popular are:
- Dog's hair. It is used to produce knee pads with a warming effect.
- Cotton. It is used to give clamps strength and elasticity.
- Lycra, elastane, polyurethane - synthetic, elastic fabrics with high breathability.
- Neoprene. Elastic material contributes to excellent knee joint stability. These knee pads are easy to care for. In addition, they also have a warming effect.
Devices for immobilization of the knee: types
There are a considerable number of models and types of this orthopedic device. They differ in the material from which they are made. Knee braces can be open or closed, flexible or rigid. In addition, knee pads can be equipped with hinges, metal inserts, magnetic plates, silicone rings and even infrared heating sources.
Depending on the purpose of the product for fixation, they are presented in the following variations.
- Bandage. The stretch cardigan helps to stabilize the knee area, warm and reduce the load.
- Brain twist. It has similarities to a bandage, but has more functions.
- Calip. It is used for the purpose of preventing disease, helping to stabilize the knee joint, preventing injury.
- Braces. Rigid knee brace, used in most cases during the rehabilitation phase. Assign such patella for paresis.
- Guardian. A device in the form of a metal tire with a rigid fixation. Assign it after surgery or trauma. For the manufacture of such knee pads, mainly soft materials are used. This device is hypoallergenic.
- Elastic knee pad. Many devices are familiar, convenient and easy to use.
- Bandage. Stretchy adhesive tape. The task of the bandage is to help reduce the load on the muscle and ligament apparatus.
Detailed introduction of knee brace
Knee band for easy fixation of the knee. Knee pads help to minimize the load, but at the same time, such devices do not interfere with movement. For the manufacture of means for fixing, cotton, synthetic fabrics and knitwear are used.
Orthopedic is a bit like tape. The main difference is the presence of additional elements in the first one. Such products are functional and help immobilize the knee joint, depending on the reason. They can be fitted with stiffeners and inserts, silicone rings, side hinges. You can secure the knee brace with Velcro.
The splint is a special type of brace, the main purpose of which is moderate or stiff fixation. The device is much more convenient and practical than plaster splints. In addition, when using a brace instead of a cast, the rehabilitation time of the knee joint is significantly reduced.
As for the brace, the main purpose of such a knee brace is to completely immobilize the knee. The knee brace is equipped with hinges that allow the patient to move without straining the knee, as well as stiffeners covered with neoprene, which helps to carry out the necessary movements without damaging the cartilage. shim. Such devices are worn to immobilize joints in diseases such as osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis, as well as when the meniscus is torn.
The caliper is designed for people who are actively involved in sports and those who lead an active lifestyle. The caliper helps to prevent the risk of various injuries, protecting and immobilizing not only the joint but also the muscles and lateral ligaments, the patella and the meniscus.
Elastic bands were appreciated before the advent of modern immobilizers. It has been used during sports to prevent injury as well as minimize pain.
Tape is a unique tape equipped with a special adhesive surface. With the correct use of the product, the product does not cause joint compression and does not restrict movement, but on the contrary, the product also performs micro-massage on the skin. For the manufacture of such clamps, mainly cotton is used. This product helps to minimize pain in the affected joint, swelling and bruising.
Recommended to choose a knee brace
Orthopedic devices for the knee joint should only be selected by a qualified specialist and depend on the intended use. Knee pads must match the specific parameters of the knee. In no case is it worth choosing a device on your own, especially if you have complaints about pain. Incorrectly selected knee braces can be harmful. Ideally, the knee pad should fit the knee, fix the joint but do not squeeze it tightly. In the case of a large product, it will slip and therefore will not be able to perform its functions.
You just need to buy the tape at a specialized store. Prices for orthotics will vary depending on the manufacturer, model, and functionality of the device.
As for the size, you can determine yours as follows: measure your foot slightly above the knee (about fifteen centimeters). If hip circumference is 44 cm, then your size is S, 44-54 cm - M, 54-60 cm - L, 60-67 cm - XL, 67 and up - XXL.
In order not to get the wrong size, remember to measure the product before buying.
How to take care of your knee brace
In order for the knee orthopedic brace to serve you for a long time and without losing its therapeutic and preventive properties, you need to take care and observe the operating rules specified in the instructions.
- Do not wash the tape in the washing machine.
- Do not iron the latch.
- Do not hang the product in a dry place. Lay it out on a flat surface. So you prevent deformation and stretching of the orthopedic.
- Do not use additional chemicals at the time of washing.
You can only use the bandage after a doctor's prescription. If you participate in sports activities and decide to take care of the condition of your joints during exercise, then you should purchase an orthopedic device in the presence of a trainer. Do not wear a knee brace for more than three hours a day. Only wear it when playing sports or exercising.