Four Things to Avoid when Selecting a Knee Brace

When you are looking for a knee support it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the options and knowing what to look for can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it’s a simple knee strap or a complex unloading brace, here are four things to avoid when selecting a knee brace. 

1. Getting hot & sweaty

If you require support for the knee during exercise or for the whole day, the last thing you want is something that gets hot, stuffy and sweaty.

Many of the cheap knee supports are made from neoprene (the same material wetsuits are made of). While this is firm and provides compression, it doesn’t breathe well and often overheats and traps sweat in, causing it to deteriorate faster.

Heat mapping tests have been conducted on eight brands of knee supports and the results show that the majority do not effectively vent heat out of the knee. To best avoid this, look for a brace that has a breathable woven material like cotton or elasticised fibres.

2. A knee brace that doesn't fit right

Arguably one of the most important aspects in selecting a knee brace or support is finding the right fit.

The right support will fit the knee comfortably, hugging all the right places and staying firm throughout the day. This isn’t just for comfort, but for effectiveness, as a poor fitting brace won’t do much.

Many braces on the market only come in small, medium and large sizes, meaning that achieving the perfect fit can often be difficult. 

Avoid knee braces that have a small sizing range or aren’t anatomically fit.

Bauerfeind have taken the data from over 500,000 people and created a unique sizing system allowing13 different sizes on the GenuTrain Knee Brace, and custom options for the tiny fraction of people who still might not fit.

3. All sizzle no steak

There are companies who claim they do a whole lot for cheap, using buzzwords without any data to back them up. When you’re looking for a knee support, it's important to look at what research and development has gone into the brace.

It’s best to be wary of companies that make generic claims of research without being able to provide any studies or data, groups that aren’t specialised in bracing and supports and the like.

If a company spruiks a single brace as the be all and end all for a very low price and they don’t have a positive reputation in the medical company, it’s likely they’re too good to be true

4. Not built to last

Now this is a good general principle when it comes to buying anything, but in particular knee supports. Often when you buy a support, whether a cheap one from the chemist or top of the line brace from a retailer, it feels good when you wear it for the first time.

Having support to your knee provides great relief from pain, discomfort and protects you from further injury, but if that support doesn’t last, you end up right back where you started.

When you’re looking at knee supports, it’s important to avoid ones that won’t last well. There’s a few quick ways to check this:

• Materials: Quality is king here, avoid cheap foam, neoprene and cheaper polyester fabrics.
• Company reputation: Brands that have built a reputation on high quality products are always a safe bet.
• Customer reviews: Have a look at the product reviews on their website, google etc.

For assistance selecting the right product for your needs, book a video consultation with a Bauerfeind expert: Book Video Call, or call us on 1300 668 466.

Do you have private health? Most private health extras will cover Bauerfeind Products, check to see if yours is included. Bauerfeind Private Health Insurance Enquiry.

Bauerfeind products are developed at our innovation and manufacturing facility in Zeulenroda, Germany. Based on years of scientific research, our award-winning braces and support garments are highly recommended by medical professionals and athletes worldwide.