Most people don’t voluntarily rush into surgery, but persistent knee pain may have you feeling like you have no other options. The truth is that surgical procedures should be the very last resort.
This is where a knee brace comes in. Whether you’re looking to ease existing knee pain or prevent it altogether, they can make a big difference in taking the aches out of your day-to-day activities.
How Does a Knee Brace Work?
One way a brace works is by easing the weight and pressure that’s placed on the knee. Stabilizing the knee in this way relieves pain and also improves range of motion. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are actually four main types of knee braces:
- Functional braces support knees that have healed from a previous injury. They provide stability to help prevent a new injury.
- Rehabilitative braces, like the name implies, are used in the short-term to help you heal from a recent injury.
- Unloader braces are ideal for folks with osteoarthritis of the knee. The name is appropriate as it essentially unloads weight off the injured area, relieving pain in the process.
- Prophylactic braces are designed more for athletes and are worn to protect the knees while playing contact sports.
Benefits of Wearing a Knee Brace
The right knee brace not only curbs pain – it may also help you heal faster and ultimately avoid unnecessary surgery. Here are some other notable perks:
- It’s great for osteoarthritis: If you suffer from advanced knee osteoarthritis, your pain can likely be traced back to friction between the bones. (OA eats away at the protective cushion that essentially serves as a shock absorber in between your bones.) The appropriate knee brace can actually help redistribute pressure in the knee so that there’s more space here, which can greatly reduce pain.
- It supports injured ligaments: Certain knee braces, usually known as motion controllers are designed to protect vulnerable ligaments so that it’s easier to move around safely.
- It keeps sensitive knee caps in place: Protect your patella (a.k.a. your kneecap) with a brace that helps keep it stable and in place while exercising. This is particularly important for someone who has experienced a kneecap injury in the past.
On the hunt for non-surgical knee pain treatments in Orlando? ViscoGen™’s area of expertise is non-surgical treatment options, not invasive surgeries or procedures that result in excessive downtime. Call 407-627-1148 to schedule a free consultation today.
