WHAT IS THE POINT OF A KNEE BRACE?
Whether you have a healing injury, want to proactively protect your knees, or want to avoid re-injury, a knee brace can give you stability and peace of mind, allowing you to keep your training and everyday life at the same level as before.
There are many different types of knee pads; but the basic idea is the same: the knee pad works by providing heat and compression to the knees. The compression increases blood flow and responsiveness in the knee, helping you to perform more controlled and stable movements. It also makes you more aware of how you are using that joint or body part, thus helping you regain control of your knee.
WHICH KNEE BRACE SUITS MY NEEDS?
This is obviously a difficult question, but here's some reasoning: If you've had an operation or a serious knee injury that you're recovering from, a more rigid knee brace with side rails and hinges may be useful. Such protection can also be useful if you have a less severe injury but plan to play contact sports or a ball sport with fast turns.
However, if you have more mild pain or want to proactively protect your knee, you may want to use a more elastic or soft protector that is easy to pull up over your knee. These protections usually also have a warming effect that helps to relieve pain in muscles and joints.
Feel free to email us if you need advice on which protector is right for you!
WHY DO SOME KNEE PADS HAVE HOLES AT THE KNEE?
A knee protector with a hole at the kneecap is called an open patella - it keeps the kneecap free, which is an advantage if you want good support but at the same time want to reduce the pressure on the kneecap.
SHOULD YOU WEAR A KNEE BRACE AT NIGHT?
No, in principle it is not a good idea, unless a doctor or other medical expert has recommended it for your specific needs.