If you have knee pain, there could be a number of reasons for causing your discomfort. Before you decide to try a knee brace, a logical step is to see your family physician for an evaluation of your knee. Once a diagnosis is determined, your doctor may send you to a physiotherapist to assist in strengthening your muscles surrounding the knee, or use different modalities to reduce any pain or swelling.

If your pain or injury warrants it, your family doctor may even refer you to a local orthopedic surgeon to discuss further options. The surgeon will decide then if surgery will be necessary and if a knee brace will be an option instead of surgical intervention or in combination with surgery. Your family physician or physiotherapist will sometimes order or prescribe a knee brace to help you until you get in to see your specialist.

Once a knee brace has been prescribed, your next step is to seek out a qualified professional to help you chose the proper knee brace based on the doctor or physiotherapist’s Rx.

Your qualified fitter or orthist will show a number of braces, again based on your requirements.

Knee braces come in many different materials and styles. A basic knee sleeve is made of neoprene (rubber) or Bio Skin or Epx type material. A basic sleeve is designed for minimal support. They provide warmth and compression. Next, is a patella stabilizer brace, to help stabilize your patella (kneecap) and “track” the joint in a straight axis. Then comes the hinged knee brace that will contain two hinges or metal vats to help the knees that have side-to-side instabilities.

Most of the aforementioned braces will help support minor injuries. The next type of knee braces are used for the most severe injuries or afflictions. Custom knee braces come in a number of styles too. Braces can be used to stabilize your ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) and/or MCL/LCL ligaments (medical or lateral collateral ligaments). These braces must be made by duplicating the shape of your leg by way of plaster (cast) or by measurement grids or electronics. Most custom braces are made of carbon titanium or graphite like the CTi2 or the Generation 2 OA brace. These custom braces will fit you like a glove when fit and measured properly. They are mostly a rigid, yet comfortable material that will help you stabilize your knee so that you may return to your favorite activities. Be honest with yourself when looking for a brace too: what do you want it to do? Contact sports? Hockey, golf, water sports… tell the professional fitter what you want to do and then decide on the best brace that meets your activity needs. Look into warranty options and accessories. Talk to friends, family and co-workers who may have had similar knee problems. Ask them about their brace, likes and dislikes. When going for your fitting and measurement be sure to call ahead and ask questions. The person’s credentials, how long have they been fitting braces, brands they carry? Make sure you can competently and comfortably put the brace on yourself before leaving the fitters office. Ask about replacement parts (straps wear out). Where you can get service on your brace while on vacation or in a different country.

In summary, get proper diagnosis from your healthcare practitioner. Be assertive and learn more about your injury or condition. This will help you understand and be more comfortable in your treatment plan. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist where they refer their patients and why. Good Luck!