Knee supports come in many different types and support levels and it can be challenging to find one that is suitable for your condition, especially with so many options available out there. Do speak to your doctor/physiotherapist to see what they recommend as they’ll be the ones who know your condition best.

As a general guide, we should look to 2 main factors when getting a knee support: 1) Your condition/injury  and, 2) Activity level.

1) Condition/Injury will be the main factor as your knee support should provide enough support for you to walk comfortably at the very least. More severe injury/instability/pain will require stronger supports.

It is also important to choose a knee support that is not over-supportive too as it could lead to an over-reliance on using the support.

2) Activity Level refers to what sort of activity level you maintain for your lifestyle. For example, you may want to engage in sports/exercise which range from less impactful activities like walking/light jogging, to activities involving sharp movements and changes in directions which will be more intense. In the latter case, a stronger support will be more advisable to support the stress placed on the knee to reduce the chance of injury or re-injury.

On the other hand, it is not recommended to wear a knee support if there is no stress on the knee or  such as when you are seated for longer periods of time or sleeping.

If you’re still unsure of how to choose, we recommend you head down to our showroom to speak with us and also to try out the different knee supports we have in order to make a better decision.

Intermediate knee supports offer more protection and support compared to the basic ones. They generally come with additional features like spring stays (flexible side supports) or gel buttresses (padding around kneecap) that can make them more suitable for specific conditions or injuries. Generally harder to move around in than basic knee supports.

Advanced knee supports are suitable for major injuries or instability such as torn ACLs. They provide a good amount of support through features like rigid or semi-rigid hinges that can work to limit excessive movement. This however, make them the heaviest and least flexible/mobile supports which users have to take into account.

Icing is best used in cases where trauma/injury occurs and there is excessive pain and swelling. Immediate application may help but is not recommended in the long run.