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Best Knee Brace for Patellar Stabilization
When Should You Use a Knee Brace?
Braces should be used if you have knee pain or when you want to avoid injuries in contact sports, where there’s greater chances of injury. Braces are also used for treatment purposes in different clinics or hospitals as it will help the patient to recover their movements. Another important role of knee brace in patients with arthritis is to reduce pain and inflammation.
Knee joint: Anatomy
Knowing patellar subluxation requires a basic understanding of anatomy of the knee joint. Knee joint is basically a hinge joint, the largest synovial joint in the body in which femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) and patella (kneecap) articulate through tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints. Their surfaces come in contact through a protective layer of cartilage. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone, located in front of the knee joint within the trochlear groove.
Patellar instability / PATELLAR STABILIZATION
- Patellar subluxation
In some people the kneecap is shifted to the outside of the trochlear groove without specific injury. As a result the kneecap does not move centrally inside its groove and will cause knee pain especially while walking on uneven surfaces, during stairs climbing, or during shifting in bed. The knee becomes progressively inflamed and uncomfortable when these actions are repeated, known as patellar subluxation or an atraumatic injury, commonly occurring in females.
- Patellar dislocation
In patellar dislocation the patella is entirely pushed out of the groove due to direct blow to the knee or rapidly changing directions while running (e.g., “cutting” during sports activities. It is most commonly caused by severe trauma, accident or falls. Also known as traumatic injury.
- Patella tracking disorder
The other term generally used for misalignment of the knee in which the kneecap slips out of place is patella tracking disorder, the knee cap does not glide smoothly within the groove and causes knee pain. Actually, it doesn’t dislocate, but it can move or twist out of place, resulting in knee discomfort.
Knee arthritis, gout, knee bursitis, and jumper’s knee are some of the other reasons for kneecap pain.
Treatment
- Patellar instability initially treated with rest and a knee brace or may be given knee immobilizer. Furthermore physiotherapy is generally started after a period of rest for the muscles of the knee that assist to maintain the kneecap from sliding out of the groove.
- Strengthening and stretching exercises to regain normal range of motion
- Improve muscle strength that will help to control the stability of the kneecap.
- Functional training to increase stability and reduce the chance of re-injury
- Avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms.
- Maintain healthy weight to reduce stress on knees
Level of protection
While choosing a knee brace for Patellar Stabilization , check the level of protection with grades of 1 to 3+.
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Level 1 brace
In case of level 1 that provides the least amount of support although, the most elastic i.e knee sleeve. It is ideal for mild to moderate support and to reduce pain.
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Level 2 brace
Level 2 brace allow more coverage than level 1, allow greater range of motion but are less flexible e.g knee straps and wrap around brace. Commonly used for ligament instabilities and tendonitis, with mild to moderate support.
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Level 3 brace
Level 3 brace is heavier brace, ideal for post-surgery rehab that provides the most support with the least amount of mobility. Example: Hinged Brace
There is always an option for 3+ Level for Maximum Protection if you want any further than that. Because this level is ideal for providing pain relief and support for instabilities and injuries ranged from moderate to severe.
Braces vs Sleeves
Sleeve is a lightweight fabric that provides mild support and compression. These sleeves can be worn invisibly under the garments. While a brace is little bulkier than a sleeve that provides mechanical support and allows your joint to move while stabilizing it in a certain direction. It controls the kneecap position and keeps it in place.
Purpose of compression brace
The compression brace’s purpose is to provide your joint more support, allowing you to do daily tasks efficiently. The compression improves circulation and reduces swelling, pain and stiffness, enabling the joint to move more freely. It can be worn temporarily after surgery or during physical exercise. It works to stabilized the problem which is because of patellar stabilization
Open vs closed patella knee brace
There are some knee braces that are available for open patella support i.e. patellofemoral pain syndrome and other patella tracking disorders, as these types of braces provide extra stability to the kneecap. When managing with a subluxed knee, many individuals choose an open patella knee brace since it relieves pressure on the painful kneecap. This type of knee brace has a patella pad that helps in staying off the kneecap centered in the trochlear groove.
In case of a closed knee brace that fully covers the kneecap. So it will not allow the kneecap to breath but at the same time it provides comfort and protection to the kneecap.
Top Knee Brace for Patellar Stabilization 2022
| Brace Ankles | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
 Bodyprox Knee Brace | 4.3 | Check on Amazon |
 Mueller Self-Adjusting | 4.3 | Check on Amazon |
 IPOW 2 Pack Knee | 4.3 | Check on Amazon |
 Hinged Knee Brace | 4.3 | Check on Amazon |
 Mcdavid Knee Brace | 4.3 | Check on Amazon |
Mueller Self-Adjusting Knee Stabilizer
Summary: Super durable, adjustable, and easy to put on and off with the help of velcro straps that provide great support and stability. Suitable for sprain, strain and chondromalacia patellae/arthritic conditions. It fits very nicely. Helpful in keeping knees in working order and patella in alignment . It works great to improve range of motion, great relief from pain and swelling. It is actually not too bulky and can be worn under jeans/trousers.
Knee Brace with Side Stabilizers & Patella Gel Pads for Knee Support
Summary: Lightweight, comfortable, absorbent and breathable velcro designed knee patella support strap with flexible side stabilizers to reduce pressure, stress and instability. These easy to use velcro straps are extremely flexible, so you can get the extra support and adjust as needed. Doesn’t make the knee all sweaty with great support on both sides. The patella cushioning Silicon Patella Gel Pad is quite thick and comfy to assist bend the knee with less stress and to provide more relaxing activities in the kneecaps, even if they are covered by the other product components. High grade neoprene material with SBR 63%, Nylon 32%, Spandex 5%.
Summary: Light-weight Neeca Knee Brace is a spring knee support technology with a patella gel pad and double-sided metal spring stabilizers that fit tightly with the knee joint, keeps the knee warm, and lubricates the joint. This brace is quite comfortable and effective at providing support and stability. With that support, you will be able to restore a normal walking stride with no pain. Circular breathing is made possible by the air knit fabric’s ability to absorb and evaporate significant water quickly. The brace itself is of excellent quality. It offers lots of support, and the spring-like metal running along the sides assists knee bending. The top of the knee brace has a rubber anti-slip grip that keeps the brace in place on the leg. It is not irritating or scratchy, and the material is thick, not flimsy, or too thin. This brace provides compression, has medial and lateral silicone supports, and donut hole silicone for the patella. The brace is supportive, and non-restrictive so you can use it in sports. This Neeca knee brace greatly helps in pain relief and allows you to move more freely without limping as it feels like a glove around the knee. Summary: Close-fitting latex-free with flexible side stabilizers knee brace having a four-way stretch Lycra mesh and anatomically pre-curved design to provide extra support and prevent instability. Fabric is very strong and long-lasting. Although the brace has some significant size it is not relatively bulky. Comfortable to wear throughout the day. The straps are firm for your comfort and are tight enough to relieve joint’s pressure without cutting off circulation. Not suitable for heavy athletic use, but they are intended to provide general knee support for rehab or to prevent pain. Works great for ACL, PCL or meniscus damage. Summary: Shock absorbing, fully adjusted, double knot designed IPOW knee stabilizer provides better protection to patella that offers flexibility for tightness adjustment, fits for sizing of 10-18 inches in circumference. Soft and breathable fabric with smooth edges while fine stitching ensures that you may wear it without any pain, moreover it stays in place even after a prolonged workout. No irregular cut patterns in stitching. Helpful in soreness, pain and discomfort, enables you to feel more secure during stairs climbing with one foot on each step, and walking is smoother without that minor limp to protect the knee from hurting. No sliding through tight velcro. In short, a small product with a big relief! Summary: Beautifully designed Latex-Free neoprene, open 360 degree padded buttress Mcdavid knee brace made with wider arms to help in maintaining strength. Nylon fabric to increase durability. The support provided by this brace is so amazing that the pain is gone whenever you put it on. Prevents instability and pain. Maintain good patella support. This brace is quite strong and the metal supports on the sides are hinged, so you will get a lot of knee flexibility without losing stability. Suitable during skiing to prevent further strain, also no leg shaking or discomfort.. After use, the brace can be washed and air dried. Here below is the size chart given, as well it mention how you can size your knee for braces. Summary: Adjustable bidirectional TechWare Pro Brace with open patella design and strong closure to reduce pain and provide support and compression. Moisture wicking breathable lightweight neoprene makes sure the compression is comfortable, uniform, and stays in place during any activity. Gel pads for swelling and inflammation. The wrap structure makes the brace to be laced up very securely by providing the required support to keep the muscles and ligaments in place and reduce knee stress. When the wrap was fully tightened, it did not pinch and cut off circulation. Tight enough to hold the knee firmly in place, while light enough to allow flexion and extension. Summary: Thicker, wetsuit-like material Neoprene provides warmer options while Drytex is preferred for those who have neoprene allergy, it allows for better ventilation and providing adequate support and compression. In short, you can choose according to your needs. Dual spirals that offer medial and lateral support. Keeps patella in place. This brace is designed for those who have problems with lateral tracking, such as IT band syndrome or lateral dislocations. Summary: Lightweight, thick but not bulky durable 4 Way Stretch Lycra provides all day support without cutting off circulation. Ideal for high-paced workplaces, running, or bending. Soft and flexible with no-slip silicone grip wave keeps the sleeve in place. It is a firm compression knee sleeve than a brace and helps in protecting the knee. It is comfortable yet firm enough to keep the knees together. The material doesn’t trap the moisture underneath and the edges don’t cut or produce friction. Significantly reduce pain and swelling. It serves as a cross between a “brace” and a “compression sleeve”, lacks a flexible plastic side and no knee cap cushioning, so it won’t replace genuine stabilization, but it’s well-made, breathable, and durable enough to give enhanced support while helping you to remain active. There are distinct types of knee supports for patellar stabilization on the market. We’re having trouble selecting which one to purchase. No doubt that knee braces are beneficial when recovering from injury or illness but choosing the right one can be a challenging task. So, it is recommended that using a knee support guide to learn more about how to get the appropriate brace for your specific needs may make the process more comfortable. Knee braces should not be worn on a daily basis. The muscles will become weaker as a result, and the person will become more reliant on the support. So, it should only be used as a temporary solution to alleviate your pain until you seek an expert physiotherapist. Best knee brace should be determined through doctor suggestions, type of injury you have and dependent on whether or not you’ve had surgery. https://www.mcdavidusa.com/blogs/posts/how-to-choose-the-right-knee-brace https://www.verywellhealth.com/compression-brace-5119812 https://www.physio-pedia.com/Patellofemoral_Instability https://www.choosept.com/symptomsconditionsdetail/physical-therapy-guide-to-patellar-instabilityNEENCA Professional Knee Brace
Hinged Knee Brace: Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace
IPOW 2 Pack Knee Pain Relief & Patella Stabilizer Knee Strap Brace Support
Mcdavid Knee Brace, Maximum Knee Support & Compression
Knee Brace Size Chart
TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
DonJoy Lateral J Patella Knee Support Brace Without Hinge
Physix Gear Knee Support Brace – Premium Recovery & Compression Sleeve
Conclusion
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