Various joint injuries require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. In the arsenal of medical equipment there are many devices that will help you recover quickly from injuries. One of these auxiliary means is a bandage on the knee, which allows you to fix the joint and reduce the load on it.
Knee-joint
It is on the knee joint, which has a complex structure, that accounts for the greatest load. The upper and lower bony parts are interconnected using muscles, cartilage (menisci), ligaments and tendons. This is a unique mechanism that allows for movement, but with damage, this ability is lost.
Problems with the knee joint are people associated with regular physical activity. Also, age, overweight and various degenerative-dystrophic diseases have a great influence. For treatment and rehabilitation after joint damage, doctors prescribe a complex of drugs and be sure to knee brace to reduce pain and stress.
Indications for use of a knee brace
The bandage is an orthopedic product that fits the knee tightly. Wearing knee pads is recommended both for treatment and as a preventative measure for damage to the knee joint. This is especially true for athletes who face a constant danger of injury. With a small damage in the form of sprain, swelling or inflammation of the joint, an elastic knee brace will help. It has a compression, warming and unloading effect. It is also used to prevent injuries.
Fixation of the knee joint is necessary in the following situations:
- Various injuries (dislocations, bruises).
- Arthrosis, arthritis, gonarthrosis, osteoarthrosis, tendonitis.
- Sprain.
- After surgery on the knee joint.
- Meniscus damage.
- Tendon inflammation.
- Joint unloading.
- Swelling of the knee joint.
- Pain after an old injury.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease.
What is the help of the bandage?
The main property of the knee pad is the rigid fixation of the ligaments and joints. This fully cannot be provided by an ordinary elastic bandage. If the knee pad is selected correctly, a significant reduction in the load on the joint is provided, which inhibits the development of the inflammatory process. Soft (elastic) bandages have a layer of animal hair for a warming effect and improve blood circulation. Compression properties allow you to restore joint mobility, relieve inflammation.
For each type of injury or illness, a specific knee stiffness must be selected. Regularly using an orthopedic bandage on the knee, you can get rid of pain, stop the development of degenerative-dystrophic disease, and contribute to the speedy restoration of motor function.
Types of Knee Braces
There are a huge number of types of bandages, various not only in structure, but also in manufacturing material. The most simple in design are soft knee pads. They replaced elastic bandages and are successfully used in sports and the treatment of ailments of the knee joint.
The knee brace with stiffeners is a structure made of polymer materials. They have Velcro and straps to ensure complete rest and stabilization of the joint. Rigid fixation is necessary after serious injuries, operations and for the treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis.
If pain occurs under the patella, a bandage with tendon support function must be used. Such a device does not restrict the movement of ligaments. The most difficult in design are tutors, orthoses and articulated knee pads. The latter are a universal option and can be used both to eliminate pain after sprains, dislocations, and to treat pathological changes. Magnetic knee pads allow you to retain heat and relieve stress on the joint.
Types of Medical Effect Bandages
In medical practice, kneecaps are distinguished by type and strength of fixation:
- Dynamic (compression) type - such a bandage on the knee is indicated after injuries, operations and as a prevention of joint damage during physical exertion. Often used during an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.
- The functional type allows you to stabilize, protect and limit unwanted joint mobility. It can be hinged, reinforced with ribs and knee brace adjusters.
- The stabilizing type is a product with metal and plastic inserts. Such bandages (orthoses) can replace the tire, shown after serious injuries and operations. Allow to completely immobilize a sore joint.
- The stage-functional type is rigid bandages, which allow you to gradually increase the amplitude of movements during the restoration of joint performance by reducing the strength of fixation.
How to choose a knee brace for arthrosis?
This pathology of the musculoskeletal system every year covers an increasing number of people. Joint deformation causes pain and limits movement. Even simple walking becomes a painful process for the patient. Applying a bandage on the knee with ribs, you can alleviate the symptoms of the disease, relieve swelling, restore free movement.
At the initial stage of the disease, the doctor may prescribe wearing a soft knee pad. With minor manifestations of pain, experts recommend the use of open bandages. For the prevention of arthrosis or an unspecified place of pain, a closed type of device is used.
Attention should be paid to the material from which the product is made. The most comfortable and practical are polyester and elastane. Animal knee pads will warm well and prevent overcooling of the diseased knee joint. Bandages with tourmaline have similar properties. This mineral emits infrared radiation and, penetrating deep into the skin, heats the affected joint.
Self-medication for diseases of this kind is not allowed, therefore, the choice of a suitable bandage for the knee joint must be entrusted to an orthopedic surgeon.
Popular manufacturers
In the salons of medical equipment you can find a large number of manufacturers of orthopedic bandages.
The most popular are:
- Mueller Sports Medicine - The company is considered a leader in the production of sports medicine products. A wide variety of models developed using the latest innovative technologies allows you to choose a Mueller knee brace for leisure and professional sports.
- Orlett - products of the German company Rehard Technologies GmbH. They produce various orthopedic devices for the treatment of the spine and joints, using the latest developments and materials. The products are registered, and the quality of the finished product is confirmed and meets international standards.
- Medi is another German brand that produces high-quality sports bandages, orthoses and other orthopedic products.
- Pharmacel is an American company specializing in products for physiotherapy and sports medicine. Products are developed with the latest technology and can alleviate pain symptoms, discomfort during movement.
What should I look for when choosing a bandage?
Before buying a knee brace, you should consult a doctor who will give recommendations about the type of product. You can independently purchase an elastic retainer that will protect the knee joint from damage.
Carefully you need to choose the size of the product. It is worth considering that each manufacturing company has its own dimensional grid. In order to correctly determine the size, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the leg above the knee and under it.
It is better to purchase a medical product in professional salons or proven online stores (with the possibility of fitting). A hard knee brace should not pinch and squeeze a leg so that blood circulation is not disturbed. This will only worsen the situation and harm instead of good. There will be no therapeutic effect from a free bandage that does not tightly clasp a leg.
When buying, you must choose a product from a practical material that is durable and can let air through. All fastenings and fasteners fixing the bandage are also carefully checked. It is worth considering that the Velcro is short-lived and quickly wear out.
Cost and Maintenance
Wearing a bandage on the knee is recommended during sports or during physical activity. The total wearing time of the product should not exceed 3 hours per day. The doctor determines the duration of therapy during which medications will be taken and a bandage on the knee.
The prices of such products vary over a wide range and depend on the manufacturer and the type of product. The most affordable are elastic (soft) bandages on the knee joint of a domestic manufacturer. Their cost starts from 400 rubles. For the treatment of arthrosis, a knee pad with tight fixation can be purchased for 900–1300 rubles. Hinged bandages are expensive medical devices, the price of which can exceed 20,000 rubles.