Athletes commonly use knee braces for sports and skiing following knee surgery. They help provide stability and support for those who have undergone knee surgery. This can be to repair torn knee cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, knee arthritis, sprained medial knee ligament, and runners knee. They are made mostly from neoprene which makes them light, effective and easy to wear over clothes. The best knee braces are durable yet reasonably priced.
Knee braces can also help relieve knee pain caused by arthritis by improving the biomechanics and taking off stress from the affected area. Using knee braces can improve knee function, therefore, delaying the need for replacement surgery.
Braces for Football
Braces have been shown in scientific studies to prevent knee injury. Injuries like medial collateral ligament are very common in American football. This prompted Anderson et al. in 1979 to describe a knee brace to protect the uninjured knee from MCL injuries caused by lateral impact. Three decades later, a number of light and free-moving bracing devices have been designed to protect the knee from further injuries.
A study to determine the efficacy of prophylactic knee bracing, on the prevention of MCL in football players showed that the knee braces does efficacy in preventing the injuries. However two studies, however, indicate that knee bracing has a high negative relationship with knee injuries. This study concludes that prophylactic bracing has not shown reduced instances of injuries in the American football. Detailed studies have shown that the braces do not impair strength or performance.
Braces for Skiing
After her crash in February, Lindsay Vonn used a Donjoy brace to support her fractured tibia and went ahead to compete the following day and won. She had three hairline fractures but managed to compete successfully due to the knee brace.
The top three knee braces for winter sports
Winter sports can be unforgiving on the knees. They require extreme leg works which can be even more stressful to those with bad knees. It may be impossible to fully protect yourself from sports-related injuries in the mountains. However, using excellent knee braces can ensure you get the extra stability you lost in a previous injury. There is no substitute for a strong leg when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, meaning you must get into shape. However, if you need the extra support, here are some great knee braces to consider.
DonJoy Armor Ski Knee Brace
This ski brace was designed for skiers who want to wear two knee braces at the same time. Since the risk of sustaining a second ACL injury is three to four times while skiing, it is safer if you wear a knee brace. The 15-inch brace can be worn comfortably with ski boots. Its construction keeps it from getting caught in our snow pants.
DonJoy FullForce ACL Braces
This option is great for those who don’t have ACL injuries. It can provide support for injuries related to Hyperextension, LCL, PCL, MCL, and ACL. It is a favorite for skiing and snowboarding as it is available in a short version that keeps it free from our boots and offers a slightly better range of motion
DonJoy Reaction Web Knee Brace
If you are just looking for support for your sprain pain or to prevent future injuries and patella injuries, then this is the best knee brace choice for you. It is a lightweight, comfortable, and soft brace that offers adequate support and does not interfere with your performance. While the web-like plastic in the front may look uncomfortable, it is actually quite flexible and conforms nicely around your knee.
Can I use a HSA for knee brace?
Yes, you can use your health savings account (HSA) for buying a knee brace. Because the braces are used to support or prevent an injury, you can buy them with pre-tax money using your HSA. Either use your HSA-linked debit card when purchasing, or submit for reimbursement from your HSA. Buying with an HSA-linked debit card is the easiest way by far.
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