During high contact sports, the knee is more vulnerable to injuries for several reasons. One of the most reasons for a knee injury is its structural formation. The articulatory bony surfaces of the knee do not form a very deep bony socket.
As well as this, your exercise routines and athletic activities can leave a direct impact on your knees. Experts suggest some preventive measures by following which one can reduce the chances of knee injuries during intense exercises or athletic activities.
It is estimated that 41% of all sports injuries are comprised of knee injuries, and one-fifth of all knee-related injuries involve the anterior cruciate ligament, ACL injuries.
Knee related injuries in sports
The following are the most common knee-related injuries in sports:
- Patellar Fracture
A fracture usually occurs when the amount of stress is more than what a bone or joint can bear. Patellar fractures are serious knee injuries that may turn to profound impairment in some severe conditions. A patellar fracture usually results from overuse of knee joints, falling directly onto the knee cap, or through a direct trauma (direct blow by sporting equipment).
- Knee Dislocation
Knee dislocation can be categorized into two classes, i.e. low-velocity dislocation and high-velocity dislocation. Low-velocity knee dislocation often occurs in sports settings, whereas high-velocity dislocation is caused by a violent force, including vehicular accidents. In athletic activities like football, cycling, skiing, gymnastic, the dislocation occurs due to twisting motion or rapid change in the direction while the foot is planted on the floor.
- Meniscal Injury
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilaginous pad that works as a shock absorbent. A significant trauma or sudden twists usually cause meniscus tears during sports. Depending upon the extent of the damage, the meniscus injury ranges from minor to severe.
- Knee Tendinitis
Tendinitis in knee, also referred to as jumpers’ knee, is an overuse injury. Sports involving jumping and landing heavily can cause knee tendinitis. The injury may also happen when you suddenly subject your body to more exercises or practice on hard surfaces like concrete.
- Knee Bursitis
Knee bursitis occurs when one or more bursae (fluid-filled sacs near knee joints) become inflamed, irritated, or damaged. The most common causes of knee bursitis are repetitive movements, prolonged pressure, and traumatic blows. Holding the knee joint in one position for a long time can worsen the injury.
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What are knee supports
Knee supports are the tools to keep your knees protected and minimize the pain in the knee joints. They are used to prevent injuries in high contact sports. As well as this, they provide maximum compressions to the injured areas to improve blood circulation, helping speed up the recovery process following a knee injury from sports.
How do knee brace supports work?
- They help minimize pain
Knee braces are helpful to minimize the pain of patients suffering from knee injuries including, arthritis, bursitis, swelling, tendinitis, and more. They work to provide warmth and align the knee joint, helping minimize knee pain.
- They Help shift weight
Knees are the structures that bear most of the body weight to provide stability to move accurately. Under certain conditions, such as arthritis or slipped knee cap, it is difficult for the knees to support the whole weight of the body. Knee supports are proved to be supportive enough to shift the weight from injured areas, helping prevent the patient from feeling disability.
- They help restrict unnecessary movement
Experts suggest slightly immobilizing the knee joints after a knee injury, helping control the disease or damage. Wearing knee supports help limit unnecessary movements of knees. The restricted movement of the injured knee allows it to heal properly.
- They provide stability
Knee braces help keep your knees stabilized and protected, helping prevent overuse injuries. Athletes involved in quick jumping, sudden landing, and running activities are suggested wearing knee braces to reduce the chances of injuries in the playing field.
- They help improve blood circulation
When wear correctly, knee braces provide needed compressions to improve blood circulation. Improved blood circulation helps minimize pain and swelling, speeding up the recovery process following a knee injury.
What is the best time to wear knee brace supports?
Knee braces help but only when wearing correctly. Otherwise, they can be more harmful to you. Athletes or sportsperson who want to wear knee supports to keep their knees protected against sports injuries can wear them throughout their game session. However, knee bracing can also restrict your range of motion in some conditions, decreasing the moving ability or performance. It is recommended to consult your professional coach or trainer to know the best time to wear knee braces during playing.
Where knee braces keep your knee joints protected on the playing field, at the same time, they are effective to heal a knee injury. You can wear knee braces all day if your healthcare providers suggest doing so. You can also wear knee braces at night or while sleeping under the prescribed amount of time said by your GP. Wearing braces too long can worsen your injuries. As well as this, wearing knee braces for a long time can also weaken your knee joints and muscles and make them more vulnerable to knee injuries.
Types of Knee Braces
You can find a variety of knee braces according to their sizes, compression level, and more. The following are the common types of knee braces:
Knee sleeves provide compression, warmth, and an increased sense of knee support.
Knee pads do not provide increased stability but can reduce the chances of injuries, particularly in athletic activities.
Patellar straps are best for reducing the stress or extra pressure on the tendon and may relieve pain.
Hinged knee braces hold the knees at their place and prevent injuries in high contact sports, such as football.
Conclusion
To conclude our discussion, we can say that knee supports are used to wear for a variety of purposes. But, the only thing you need to know is the right size or the best time to wear knee braces to get maximum benefits. It is better for you to consult your GP or professional trainers in choosing the best knee brace supports. You are recommended to visit 360 relief, where you can find a variety of knee braces to help manage your knee pain.