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The knee stabilizer, i.e. the knee joint orthosis, is one of the types of orthopedic apparatus that has a stabilizing function, but can also be a tool for the correction of the joint. It is most often used when the knee joint needs to be partially or completely immobilized.
In a few cases, the knee stabilizer can replace plaster, although it is most often used in the event of a sprained joint, because it avoids the risk of aggravation of the injury, and also reduces swelling or ensures a faster recovery.
How does a knee brace work?
Knee-joint it has a very complex structure and it is the largest pond in the human body. Due to its location and functions, it is exposed to many injuries in everyday life, not only among people who actively or professionally play sports. The knee must be flexibleto make free movements, but also to endure. When a knee joint disease or an injury occurs, this joint must be relieved with, for example, a knee stabilizer, which not only relieves the joint itself, but also the ligaments and adjacent muscles, so it does not aggravate the injury and stabilizes the entire limb.
Modern knee brace can be light but stiff or flexible and soft. It all depends on the type of injury. However, the most important thing is that it is breathable, because thanks to this, moisture does not accumulate next to the skin, and the damaged area is ventilated and has a constant temperature.
When is stabilizer instead of plaster?
Sometimes a knee brace can be replaced by a cast. However, this solution is mainly used by athletes. However, putting on a stabilizer is definitely more comfortable than putting on a plaster shell. The doctor decides whether it is possible to put a brace instead of a plaster cast on the basis of how extensive a fracture or contusion the patient is dealing with.
How to choose a knee brace?
The knee brace can be rigid, semi-rigid or soft. Which model we should choose may be suggested by the attending physician, because the orthosis should be adjusted to the type of injury and the patient’s physical activity. It all depends on whether the knee stabilizer is to perform a corrective, preventive or therapeutic function. Also, the patient’s body weight is very important when choosing the stabilizer, because you have to follow the principle that the heavier the patient, the stronger the stabilization of the knee joint is needed.
Each time, before choosing a knee stabilizer, it will be necessary to try on the selected model in order to choose the size, because they differ in sizes. Too large or too small an orthosis will not fulfill its function, and can only cause discomfort to the injured person.
There are also knee supports with angle adjustment, for example for people who have broken knees cruciate ligaments or have had surgery on patellar ligaments. Such stabilizers are also used in complex injuries, as they provide stability to the entire joint and can be adjusted to the individual needs of the patient.
When choosing a knee stabilizer, one should not be guided by the price, but most of all by the rehabilitation needs and the functions that the knee stabilizer is to fulfill. In addition, it is important to choose the right size and materials for comfortable wearing.