Knee brace – types, price, refund. Which knee stabilizer should I choose?

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Injuries can occur when practicing various types of physical activity. In the event of a knee injury, a knee brace comes in handy, i.e. a stabilizer that performs a corrective (corrective) function, but also stabilizes the knee.

Knee brace – action

The knee joint is the largest joint in the human body. It connects the thigh with the lower leg. Thanks to it, we can bend and straighten the knee, but also perform rotational movements. He is exposed to various injuries, especially during intense physical activity. During it, we make full range of movements, turn and twist. The knee must then be very flexible and durable.

The knee brace is a product designed for those who have suffered a knee injury, but also for those who want to protect themselves against possible injury. It is also used by people who feel pain and cannot play their favorite sport.

The knee brace helps to relieve the joint, ligaments and muscles. The use of a knee brace reduces the risk of aggravation of the joint injuries, as well as damage within it. Stabilization relieves puffiness and swelling, which speeds up recovery.

Read more: Structure of the knee – articular surfaces, ligaments, menisci

Knee brace types

Knee supports are divided into soft, hard and sports.

1. Soft and flexible stabilizers are pulled on or fastened with Velcro. They are mainly used after slight injuries to prevent the injury site. Soft stabilizers reduce swelling well and stabilize the place of weakening of the periarticular muscles.
2. Hard stabilizers they are stiffer and better support the knee joint. They provide greater stabilization and reduce the mobility of the joint in the event of a severe injury. They can be fastened with Velcro, but also equipped with elements that stiffen the joint. They are sometimes a substitute for plaster or other stiffeners. They can also be used after operations.
3. Knee supports are also intended for athletes. Sports stabilizers are often made to order, their price is much higher, sometimes even from several hundred zlotys up. Due to the fact that athletes are much more susceptible to injuries, sports stabilizers allow you to return to activity faster and allow you to do sports at a high level again.

Knee supports can also be divided according to the design of the brace itself. Thus, the following types of stabilizers are distinguished:

1. Stabilizers with adjustable bend angle, i.e. orthoses with a clockwhich is useful in cases where the cruciate ligaments (anterior or lateral) have been damaged or after the completed surgical treatment of the meniscus, patella and ligaments. In cases where the orthosis is to stabilize the joint after a patella injury, models with a hole, reinforced with a special silicone, are used.
2. Semi-rigid stabilizerswhich is most often used in the case of active people who are at risk of renewing a past injury. In such cases, the orthosis resembles a sleeve with sewn in stabilizing splints.
3. Flexible stabilizers, which are primarily to play a preventive role and are used in the case of athletes with significant strain on the knee joints. In this type of stabilizers, no additional reinforcements are used, but they are made of a soft knitted fabric.

Read opinions about sports stores on Opineo.pl.

Also read: Knee pain – causes and treatment [WE EXPLAIN]

Knee stabilizer – indications and contraindications

Knee supports are used in cases of fractures, sprains, sprains or contusions. Orthoses are also used in cases where the joint has been overloaded and in situations where inflammation has occurred. Additionally, knee supports are used to reduce pain resulting from developing rheumatic diseases.

However, there are some contraindications to the use of knee supports. These contraindications include: the presence of lymphatic drainage disorders in a sick person; decreased sensation; disorders related to the blood supply in the legs and feet, as well as the occurrence of skin diseases in the places on the body where the stabilizer is used.

Additionally, the stabilizer should not be used in the presence of diabetes mellitus, deep vein thrombosis and neurological diseases.

See also: Rheumatic profile, i.e. what tests will help detect rheumatic diseases

Which knee stabilizer should I choose?

You should choose knee supports that are made of a material that does not burden the knee joint. Stabilizers must prevent moisture and maintain an appropriate, constant temperature in the area of ​​injury. Stiffening with airbags ensures comfort and does not cause skin abrasions.

The knee stabilizer should be selected in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician – a physiotherapist, orthopedist or rheumatologist. The choice of stabilizer depends on the degree of damage or the type of disease.

Once we know the function of the stabilizer – curative, corrective or prophylactic, we can look for the most appropriate one. The body weight of the person wearing the orthosis is also important. Remember to make sure it is not too tight or too loose before buying.

See also: Degenerative-deforming changes of the knees

Knee support – price

Knee supports are widely available in many different places, such as sports stores, pharmacies. and even supermarkets. However, it is worth remembering about this. that the stabilizer should be selected according to the person. who will use it. For this, we should go to a specialized store specializing in medical products. because the people working there have the appropriate qualifications and knowledge about orthoses and can help you choose them.

Unfortunately, the price of a stabilizer can often be very high and how much soft orthoses can cost in the price range from 100 to 200 PLN. hard versions of cameras can cost much more and we are talking here about costs counted in thousands of zlotys. This makes the purchase of such a stabilizer very difficult for many people, and in extreme cases even impossible. Fortunately, it is possible to receive funding from the National Health Fund.

Find out more: Knee pain? We ask the physiotherapist

Knee stabilizer – reimbursement from the National Health Fund

Knee supports may be co-financed by the National Health Fund. To take advantage of such a refund, it is necessary to have a diagnosis of lower limb dysfunction confirmed by a doctor who specializes in diseases of the musculoskeletal system (he may also specialize in areas such as: orthopedics, traumatology, orthopedic surgery, trauma and orthopedic surgery, neurology, rheumatology, general surgery, pediatric surgery, oncological surgery or medical and general rehabilitation).

In such cases, a specialist doctor also orders the use of a knee stabilizer. Such an order for the supply of medical devices, received from a doctor, must be presented to the appropriate branch of the National Health Fund. Importantly, we do not have to do it in person, but we can use the help of an authorized person or send documents by post.

Depending on the type of knee stabilizer, the subsidy limit may be as high as PLN 700. Please note that the refund can be made once every three years.

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