When Is Levitation The Best Knee Brace For Meniscus Tears
Uni-compartment offloaders may not be effective if both of your menisci are torn. They also may not be useful if you have degenerative meniscus tears and osteoarthritis in multiple compartments of the knee which is the case in over half of osteoarthritis patients . In these cases, the best knee brace for meniscus tears will be one that reduces load in all three compartments of the knee at once. This will reduce the risk of further cartilage damage throughout the knee joint. The only knee brace with this capability is a tri-compartment offloader like Spring Loadeds Levitation knee brace.
Levitation is the worlds first tri-compartment offloader. Its one of the best knee braces for meniscus tears on the market, and its the only brace designed to reduce forces in all three compartments of the knee. It does this by:
Protection
Equipped with a patented bionic hinge, Levitation absorbs pressure and assists with leg extension. As a result, Levitation can protect the meniscus from the forces exerted by bodyweight and the quadriceps.
Prevention of Pain
Added Power
With its bionic spring hinge, Levitation absorbs energy when you bend your knee and returns that energy as you straighten your leg. The amount of energy returned by the spring is adjustable. As your meniscus tear heals and you start to regain strength and stability in your knee, you can decrease the assistance as needed.
Best Budget: Mueller Sports Medicine Adjustable Hinged Knee Brace
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One size fits most
Not only is this brace cost-effective, its super supportive. Its perfect for those who are looking to maintain proper patella alignment during physical activities, as its self-adjusting and durable. It features straps that adhere in a criss-crossing pattern located both above and below the knee, so its sure to stay in place as youre moving around.
Its also made of antimicrobial material that works to eliminate odors, and it has an open back that won’t bunch up. It also has hinges on either side of the knee, which extend and support the knee to prevent hyperextension.
Price at time of publication: $30
Material: Antimicrobial fiber that helps eliminate odors | Fit: Self-adjustable, open back and front patella hole | Feel: Soft fabric, metal plates on sides covered by fabric
How Do Knee Braces For Meniscus Tears Work
A knee brace assists in reducing pain and inflammation while offering better mobility and stability to the knee. Hereâs how it may help you:
- Provide Stability: An injury in the cartilage affects the joints, muscles, and areas around it. Walking with a torn meniscus will aggravate the injury and even damage the surrounding tissues. A knee brace offers stability, support, and protection on the sides of the knee. It compresses the knee area, minimizing pain and the wobbly feeling when you walk. The models with hinges offer more stability than the ones without hinges. However, the doctor decides which type of knee brace you might need, depending on the injuryâs severity.
- Help Prevent Hyperextension: A good quality knee brace supports a hyperextended knee and speeds up recovery. Hyperextension is when the knee is extended beyond its range of motion. It also prevents re-injury. If you have a mild hyperextension, wearing a knee brace can help minimize swelling and discomfort.
- Provide Even Compression: A knee brace compresses the injured area, focusing on particular pressure points. This induces pain relief.
- Relieve Soreness: Soreness, swelling, and inflammation are common during the initial phases of Knee braces compress the injured area, often retaining the heat. This helps reduce soreness and inflammation.
Now you know how knee braces facilitate recovery of a torn meniscus. However, before you buy one, there are several factors to consider.
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Knee Support For Meniscus Injury
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone . A torn meniscus is a common injury.
Someone with a meniscus injury is looking to reduce excessive movement in the knee joint while still allowing for maximal function, Minnis says. Depending on the severity of the injury, any of the braces previously mentioned could be helpful.
Go To Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of your meniscal tear treatment. A therapist can help you:
- Reduce the pain and swelling.
- Enhance your recovery process.
- Prepare you for surgery and help you recover from it.
- Reduce your need for a knee brace by strengthening your muscles.
Also, research suggests that:
- In most people, physical therapy offers the same benefits as meniscus surgery, without the side effects.
- Meniscus surgery could predispose you to knee osteoarthritis.
- 12 weeks of exercises guided by a therapist can provide the same results as an arthroscopic meniscectomy, without the side effects.
- 12 weeks of physical therapy combined with 6 weeks of analgesics can improve knee pain and function in degenerative tears.
So, if your type of meniscal tear allows you to, consider doing at least 3 months of strength training with a physical therapist before going to surgery.
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Mcdavid 29x Knee Brace
If you are finding any risk of knee injuries and fractures then this can be the best guard for your knees. Not only guarding but also helps with faster recovery from injuries. Wrapping the brace around your knee is easy with the elastic cross straps. It is attached with side hinges that increase the stability of the brace.
The material used to manufacture the Best knee braces is neoprosone as it gives a thermal compress. The heat compression provides warmth to your muscles and prevents injuries. It has the edge to keep your knee free from irritation.
Another helpful feature of this knee brace is the back panel that manages the moisture and keeps your skin dry. You can wear it for both your right or left knee without any confusion. It is recommended to wear these for workouts, sports and while going for adventures to prevent knee injuries.
Many have reviewed this product as the best option to help healing knee soreness and ache that is caused by the minor conditions. One tip while choosing this knee brace for meniscus is to pick a bigger size than your actual size for comfortable wear. However, you have the adjustable straps to snug your leg.
You must look for longer comfort to wear along the day. So, this knee sleeve is something that protects your knee with patella support and to increase the protection for your knee cap. It has got the stronger stitches for a high durability.
What Causes A Meniscus Tear
There are two ways this can happen:
Knee injury
We call these type of tears acute tears as theyre usually caused in :
- Contact sports.
- Activities with sudden changes of direction, like tennis or basketball.
- Twisting the knee.
Its also common to see some kind of ligament damage in this type of meniscus tear, commonly the ACL.
Degenerative tears
The aging process can make our meniscus easier to tear. This type of tear is common in people over 40 years old and/or with knee osteoarthritis.
The good news is that this type of meniscus tear tends to be asymptomatic.
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When Should I Wear A Knee Brace
If youre sitting down for long periods or only walking short distances at home, you should take off the knee brace as it is probably not necessary to have it on, Minnis says.
Those with a degenerative condition, like osteoarthritis of the knee, may find it helpful to wear a knee brace when you are more active, playing a sport, or on your feet for long periods, he says.
Wear your knee brace when youre going to be on your feet for long periods or performing simple tasks that may irritate or destabilize your knee, like when bending or twisting. Use your knee brace for any activity where you need support with your stability.
Best For Arthritis: Physix Gear Knee Support Brace
Amazon
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No adjustable straps
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May slip when in use
Physix Gear Sports Knee Support Brace is a compressive knee sleeve that promises to offer comfort, support, and relief in equal measure. The sleeve is crafted from a durable, flexible fabric that will contour to your knee, offering you a snug fit that moves with you as you go about the days activities.
Like many compression sleeves, this one will give you support across the entire knee joint. And, according to Physix Gear Sport, the stability the sleeve offers makes it a great choice for those with osteoarthritis.
The brace is designed to be lightweight and breathable. And we love that, given its low-profile silhouette, it can easily be worn underneath clothing. Whereas many knee sleeves can be hard to get on, this one is easy to put on. And because the sleeve comes equipped with no-slip silicone straps, it will stay firmly in place during use.
Price at time of publication: $14
Style: Compression sleeve | Material: Nylon, lycra | Adjustable: No
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Initial Consultation & Measurement
If a custom knee brace is deemed necessary, we will measure the affected knee for the specific brace that is required.
We use a custom measuring tool that we apply to your leg that gently squeezes the sides of your knee. This allows us to take accurate measurements of your knee width and mid-thigh and mid-calf circumference, as well as the angle of your knee.
In order to get the most accurate results, we need to have the knee exposed. We ask that you bring shorts or loose fitting sweatpants to your appointment.
What Is The Best Knee Brace For A Torn Meniscus
This will depend on the severity of your injury, its treatment, and your lifestyle. In general:
Severe tears combined with ligament tears may need a hinged brace. For tears with healthy ligaments, an unloader brace may be enough. For mild tears with little to no symptoms, a knee brace may be excessive a knee sleeve would be a better idea.
Your doctor will know which brace is best for your situation.
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The 9 Best Knee Braces For Meniscus Tears Of 2022
McDavid’s 429X Brace has straps to direct compression around the knee cap
Isabella Broggini is a health writer and editor, NASM-certified personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. She is a commerce editor at Verywell.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Verywell Fit / Lecia Landis
A torn meniscus is a tear in the cartilages between the femur and tibia, often caused by movements like sudden twisting, pivoting, and stopping. While not a substitute for surgery or physical therapy, braces can support and stabilize the knee. It’s helpful if a brace is not too loose or tight, according to Kevin D. Walter, MD, program director of Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine at Children’s Wisconsin.
How Can I Prevent A Torn Meniscus
It can be hard to prevent an accidental injury. But you can reduce your risk of a torn meniscus if you:
- Strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize your knee.
- Wear a knee brace if you know your knee is unstable or weak.
- Work up slowly to more intense exercise activity.
- Wear athletic shoes that are appropriate for the sport youre doing.
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Is It Time To Get A New Best Knee Brace For Running Torn Meniscus
Youre looking for a new best knee brace for running torn meniscus. Think about it. It’s impossible to foresee pricing fluctuations in the future. The sooner you buy, the better off you’ll be if manufacturing doesn’t slow down. If, on the other hand, production is falling and prices are expected to climb, you might want to hold off on making a decision until the hype has calmed down.
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The Offloader Knee Brace
Function
An offloader, or unloader, knee brace is a brace crafted from molded plastic, foam, and steel struts. It transfers or unloads pressure from one side of your knee joint to the other, which can help relieve pain and promote recovery of your meniscus tear.
Its the best option for degenerative meniscus tears caused by OA because pain is usually on one side of the knee joint.
Knee Support For Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Especially common in athletes, patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs when the cartilage under the kneecap is damaged as a result of injury or overuse.
Generally, this issue does not require a rigid or overly supportive brace, Minnis says. An open patellar brace, a wraparound brace, or a knee sleeve may help a person with this issue.
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Surgery In Severe Cases
Certain meniscal tears require surgery, such as :
- Tears in the white zone of the meniscus.
- Meniscal tears associated with ACL tears.
- Frequent locking of the knee.
- Severe pain despite physical therapy, medication, and injections.
Sometimes your doctor and physical therapist may consider its in your best interest to undergo surgery.
The success of the surgery whether its meniscectomy, meniscal repair, or trimming depends on:
- What caused the tear in the first place the treatment wont be the same if its acute or degenerative.
- The place and size of the tear.
- Your age and lifestyle.
Undergoing any surgical treatment is a very personal decision. Talk with your surgeon and physical therapist about realistic outcomes according to your situation.
Wearing A Knee Brace For A Torn Meniscus
Will a knee brace help torn meniscus? Absolutely!
However, its important to note that undergoing physical therapy and proper treatment is still vital for a full recovery.
Knee braces are almost always only used as an aid during rehabilitation. Nonetheless, using them will most certainly get you back on track as soon as possible.
Just make sure you get a proper diagnosis first to guarantee you get the right type of knee brace for your meniscus tear.
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Knee Braces With Hinges
Hinged knee braces are a great choice for meniscus tears and other common knee issues like ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL.
It offers great support to stabilize the front and sides of your knee during rehabilitation.
It also functions as a compression knee sleeve to decrease swelling, reduce pain, and promote healing.
Braces with hinges come in two forms: soft and rigid. The one you need depends on the severity of the meniscus tear.
The most important feature of this type of knee brace is that it allows you to bend and extend your knee, but only to a point where it doesnt strain your meniscus.
It means you can still perform daily activities without harming your existing injury.
Less Swelling And Pain
The compression effect from the brace can help promote blood flow to and around the joint. This, then, helps reduce swelling and pain.
On the other hand, an unloader brace reduces pressure on your meniscus injury. This helps relieve symptoms and ease pain.
And with less pain, youre also more likely to adhere to your rehabilitation program!
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Is Knee Surgery Necessary To Repair A Torn Meniscus
More serious meniscus tears may not heal on their own. If your injury doesnt improve with RICE, NSAIDs and physical therapy, your healthcare provider may recommend arthroscopic surgery.
Surgery is a very effective way to repair a torn meniscus. If the tear is too big to repair, your surgeon may remove all or part of the meniscus. After recovery, your knee will be more stable, and youll be less likely to develop additional knee problems.
Best For Temperature Therapy: Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap
Amazon
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Works as a cooling and heating pad
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Leakproof gel packs
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Tends to fray and snag
Vives Knee Ice Pack Wrap is a knee brace that doubles as an ice pack and triples as a heating pad. The soft, comfortable brace comes equipped with four adjustable straps. These will allow you to get a fit thats as tight and compressive as you want it to be, offering you the exact balance of comfort and support youre looking for.
The brace comes with three built-in, removable gel packs that can be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy or warmed in the microwave for heat therapy. The brace is designed with three gel pack pocketstwo at the front of the knee, and one at the back of the kneeso you can slip each gel pack into place to apply temperature therapy where you need it most.
Each gel pack is leakproof and reusable. And we love that the brace is machine-washable for added convenience.
Price at time of publication: $33
Style: Compression, hot or cold therapy | Material: Neoprene | Adjustable: Yes
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