Knee brace

Valeria Dahm is a freelance writer in the medical department. She studied medicine at the Technical University of Munich. It is particularly important to her to give the curious reader an insight into the exciting subject area of ​​medicine and at the same time to maintain the content.

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The knee orthosis is used to protect, stabilize and relieve the knee joint. It is used after injuries to ligaments and muscles and after operations. The knee braces include both the knee brace and the knee brace, which, depending on the intended use, relieves, fixes or immobilizes (immobilization). Read everything about the knee brace, how it works and what risks it entails.

What is a knee brace?

A knee orthosis is a medical orthosis with many uses.Knee orthoses can consist of elastic materials, dimensionally stable foams, rigid plastic parts and length-adjustable metal rods. Individual components are tailored to the patient's height and use and can be connected if necessary. The larger the construction, the more important it is to have a stable fixation using Velcro fasteners or special clips. Soft padding ensures comfort.

When do you use a knee brace?

The large product range of different knee orthoses makes it clear that there are a large number of uses (indications) for knee orthoses.

Elastic knee supports allow the greatest mobility and are mostly used when the joint is not unstable or when there is inflammation. They work mainly through pressure and heat. For the therapy of knee pain, pads (pads) are often incorporated that press on the patellar tendon - so-called patellar tendon bandages.

The knee brace is used for greater instabilities. It uses additional components such as plastic stabilizing bars to limit the flexion and extension of the knee and the rotational movement of the thigh against the lower leg, or it completely fixes the joint. Typical areas of application are injuries to ligaments and muscles and the care of the knee after operations with the help of a knee orthosis. Sports and other activities with great acceleration forces or unnatural movements put a strain on the knee joint, which can benefit from the protective effect of a special sports orthosis.

What do you do with a knee brace?

Most knee braces are not custom made. They can either be pulled over the knee like a stocking or fixed, interconnected components and splints can be securely attached to the knee joint using Velcro fasteners and straps. Your doctor will show you how to properly handle your knee brace.

What are the risks of a knee orthosis?

The pressure exerted by the orthosis can damage the skin and tissues underneath. There is also an increased risk of blood clots forming (risk of thrombosis) and water retention (edema) when the joint is immobilized by the orthosis. The knees and the surrounding areas should therefore be examined regularly by the doctor.

What do I have to consider with a knee orthosis?

Choosing the right size is crucial so that the knee brace does not slip and sit correctly. The hollow of the knee must not be constricted. Your doctor will advise you when and for how long to wear the knee brace. If you feel pain, your leg swells a lot, feel cold, or turn blue or white, please contact your doctor immediately.

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