The Best Hinged Knee Brace

There are many different types of hinged knee braces that offer support to the knee, leg, and kneecap, prevent injury and aid recovery. So it's important to choose a hinged knee brace that will meet your specific needs.

If you are looking for a knee brace to help you recover from surgery, you will want one with more support. If you are looking for a knee brace to protect your knee and leg from further injury, you will want one with less support.

To help you choose the best hinged knee brace for your needs, we’ve compiled a buying guide of the key features you should consider before purchasing a hinged knee brace.

We have considered factors such as support, comfort, types of hinges, compression, and sports needs to help you find the perfect brace for your needs.

Hinged Knee Braces

Do you have weak or unstable knees? Do you have knees that have ligaments or cartilage problems? Do you suffer from knee injuries and or arthritis? If so, a hinged knee brace can help your leg.

Hinged knee braces are also designed to prevent hyperextension, which can help reduce the risk of further injury.

They can also be used to prevent further injury or provide support for those who have already suffered an injury, such as ACL injuries, ACL reconstruction, or meniscus injuries.

When choosing a hinged knee brace, you must consider your injury and need and the level of support you need.

Some braces are designed for use during sports or daily activities such as walking or running, while others are meant to be worn all day.

Different Types of Hinged Knee Braces

Hinged knee braces are a type of orthopedic device that is used to support the knee joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments.

There are several different types of hinged knee braces available on the market, each with its own set of features and benefits.

Prophylactic Knee Braces

Prophylactic knee braces are the most common type of brace worn by athletes. They are designed to prevent injuries, such as ACL tears, by stabilizing the knee joint.

Prophylactic braces are the lightest and least expensive type of brace, but they offer the least amount of support.

Functional Knee Braces

Functional knee braces are worn to protect an injured knee from further damage. They are often used after an ACL surgery to keep the knee stable while it heals. 

Functional braces are more expensive and bulkier, but they provide more support to the knee.

Rehabilitative Knee Braces

Rehabilitative braces are the most invasive and are often used after a serious injury or surgery to help the knee heal properly and regain strength. 

They are often used to support the knee during physical therapy. Rehabilitative braces are the most expensive and bulky, but they offer the most support to the knee.

Offloader Braces

Offloader braces are designed to relieve pressure on the knee joint by redistributing weight away from the patella (knee cap), providing relief and support.

They are often used by people with osteoarthritis or other degenerative joint diseases.

Sleeves

Sleeves are designed to provide compression and warmth to the knee joint, helping to reduce pain and swelling.

Sleeve braces are designed to provide support and stability to the knee joint without impeding the range of motion. They are often used by athletes or people who have suffered a knee injury. 

Benefits of a Hinged Knee Brace

Injury Prevention

If you've ever had a serious knee injury or even a minor one, you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be.

Knee injuries can sideline you from your favorite activities for weeks, months, or even longer. And once you've had one knee injury, you're more susceptible to others.

That's where a hinged knee brace comes in. A hinged knee brace can help to stabilize your knee and protect it from further injuries.

Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, often use them to help prevent ligament injuries.

Surgery Recovery

A hinged knee brace can be a valuable tool for recovering patients. For example, those recovering from ACL tears or ACL reconstruction can benefit from the added support that a hinged knee brace provides.

In addition, hinged knee braces can help to stabilize the knee joint and prevent further injury.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The pain and stiffness associated with the condition can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are treatments that can help improve symptoms.

One treatment option is the use of a hinged knee brace. Braces can provide support to the knee joint and help to reduce pain. They can also help to prevent further damage to the joint.

Knee Pain Relief

Hinged knee braces can be beneficial for a number of different patients. If you have had ligament surgery, such as an ACL reconstruction, a hinged knee brace can help to provide support and stability to the joint.

This can help to prevent further injury and also help you to recover more quickly. If you are dealing with pain in your knees, a hinged knee brace can also be helpful.

By providing support and alignment, a hinged knee brace can help to take pressure off of the painful area and allow you to heal more quickly.

Improves Mobility

If you're struggling with a leg injury, a hinged knee brace can help improve your mobility and reduce pain.

By providing support to the knee joint, a hinged knee brace can prevent further injury and allow you to heal properly.

Additionally, the hinges on a hinged knee brace provide extra range of motion, allowing you to stretch and strengthen your leg muscles.

Aid Recovery in Sports Medicine

Hinged knee braces are designed to support the knee joint and surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

This type of brace is often used in sports medicine to help prevent or recover from injuries such as tendon strains, ACL sprains, and other ligament tears.

The hinges on the brace allow for a full range of motion while still providing support, making them ideal for athletes who need to stay active during their recovery.

Support Athletic Activities

There are several activities that can put stress on your leg ligaments and joints, such as running, playing soccer, or basketball, to name just a few.

Wearing a hinged knee brace can help support your leg and give your body the stability you need to avoid injury.

Athletes especially can benefit from wearing a hinged knee brace. If you play sports that involve a lot of running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction, a knee brace can help protect your joints from the impact.

Knee braces can also be helpful if you have had an injury or sprains in the past and are trying to avoid reinjury.

Features of Best Hinged Knee Braces

Material and Comfort 

The breathability of a hinged knee brace is important to consider because it can prevent skin irritation. If you are allergic to latex, make sure to find a latex-free option.

The neoprene material used in many braces is breathable and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The straps on a hinged knee brace are also important to consider. You want to make sure that the brace is adjustable so that you can get a custom fit.

The straps should also be comfortable to wear and not dig into your skin. Ensure the hinged knee brace feels comfortable to wear. 

Compression Strength

Compression strength is measured by how much pressure the brace can apply to the knee.

The higher the compression strength, the more support the brace can provide. 

Compression has many benefits, including increased blood circulation and improved muscular support.

Compression can also help to reduce inflammation. When applied to the knee, compression can help relieve pain and promote healing in the leg. 

No matter what type of hinged knee brace you choose, it's important that it offers the right compression strength to suit your leg.  

Adjustability and Customization

One of the main features you'll want to look for in a hinged knee brace is adjustability. This will ensure that you can find a comfortable fit, no matter your body type or size.

Additionally, some braces come with one size fits all sizing, while others require you to measure for an accurate fit.

Another thing to consider is how adjustable the brace is once it's on. Some braces have velcro straps that can be adjusted on the go, while others require you to use a key or tool to make changes.

Finally, you'll want to think about customization options. Some braces come in a variety of colors, while others only offer one or two options.

Removable hinges are a must-have feature in a good hinged knee brace. These allow you to remove the brace when you don't need it, which can be helpful if you're only dealing with occasional pain or swelling.

Removable hinges also make it easier to adjust the fit of the brace. If one of the removable hinges is too loose or tight, you can simply remove it and adjust it as needed. 

Kneecap stabilization is another important feature to look for in a hinged knee brace. This feature helps to keep the kneecap in place, which can reduce pain and swelling. Additionally, it can help to prevent further injury. 

Kneecap stabilization is especially important if you have a history of knee injuries. It can also be helpful if you play sports or participate in other activities that put stress on the knees. 

Support and Mobility

Hinged knee braces are designed to support the knee joint and improve mobility for patients with a variety of conditions, including arthritis, instability, and ligament injuries.

The hinges allow for a greater range of motion than traditional non-hinged braces and can be adjusted to provide different levels of support as needed. 

Additionally, hinged knee braces can help to offload weight from the knee joint and improve the alignment of the legs.

Lightweight Design

Look for a brace that is soft with a lightweight design, making it perfect for those who want to wear it all day or for specific activities without feeling weighed down. 

Think about whether you want to wear the hinged knee brace under your clothes and what type of clothes you could wear it under based on how lightweight or bulky its design is. 

Ease to Put On

Most braces have easy-to-use straps that make it easy to put the brace on and take it off.

Hinged knee braces can be worn under clothing with relative ease if the style of the hinged knee brace is lightweight and not bulky. 

If you intend to wear the knee-hinged brace for long periods of time, this is a key consideration for you.

Open Patella vs Closed Patella

Closed patella knee braces are the most common type of knee brace. They have a piece of fabric that covers the kneecap (patella) and extends down the shin to provide support.

Open patella knee braces also have a band that goes around the kneecap, but they have an open space over the kneecap. 

If you have a history of knee injuries or are an athlete who is seeking extra support, a closed patella knee brace may be the best option.

If you are looking for a knee brace that is more comfortable to wear or that provides less support, an open patella knee brace may be a better choice.