Several strenuous activities cause meniscal tears. The condition happens when you forcefully rotate or twist your knee joints. The activities that make you vulnerable to meniscal tears may include sudden stops and turns and aggressive pivoting. In some cases, lifting heavy weights, kneeling, or deep squatting may also lead to a torn meniscal. In aged people, degenerative knee changes may also contribute to meniscal tears. Wearing knee support braces may help you reduce the symptoms of meniscal tears. At the same time, these braces may also help reduce the chances of meniscal tears during strenuous activities.
How do knee braces help with meniscal tears?
Generally, wearing knee braces helps in offloading and supporting the knee joints, helping decrease compressive forces on the knee. Thus, it helps reduce pain and improve mobility. Bracing may also help limit the stress and forces placed on your meniscus. So, they help protect your knee joint following injury. As well as this, knee support braces may also help you provide needed compression, helping boost blood circulation. Improved blood circulation in the injured areas is key to speeding up recovery. Bracing may also help improve healing following knee surgery.
How to choose the best knee braces?
Choosing the right knee braces is key to getting maximum benefits. Before choosing or wearing knee braces you must take care of a few things. For example, at first, you must look for the right size. Knee braces should neither too tight nor too loose. Tightly fitted braces may cut blood circulation. On the other hand, loosely fitted knee braces may not be able to provide needed support and compression.
Knee braces are designed with different support and compression levels ranging from basic to advance and elite levels. As well as this, they may also be classified based on their manufacturing pattern or styles. For example, you can find pull-up knee sleeves, knee straps, hinged-knee braces, neoprene knee braces, and knee wraps. It is advisable to always choose the braces under the guidance of your healthcare professionals.
How long one should wear knee supports?
The duration of wearing knee braces depends on your condition or the intensity of an injury. Usually, meniscal tears take six to eight weeks to heal completely. Experts suggest wearing knee braces for meniscal tears for up to six weeks. However, you should consult your GP to know the exact duration of wearing them. Remember that wearing knee braces for an extended period or overusing them may be harmful.