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Nowadays, the selection of stabilizers (orthoses) is becoming a more and more frequent phenomenon. Currently, there are thousands of products for the knee on the medical market. The knee brace is a structural element whose task is to strengthen the knee joint. It is usually used by people who have suffered injuries to that joint or who play sports that are associated with an increased risk of damage to it, and running is one example.
Stabilizers – types
There are at least several types of knee supports. The basic ones that can be found on the market include:
- Soft knee supports – characterized by high flexibility. They are usually fastened with Velcro or pulled on by the foot. They can be purchased at any orthopedic store. They are usually used for light injuries and indefinite pains.
- Hard knee stabilizers – their construction is more complex compared to soft ones. Velcro fasteners are attached to the hardened joint support elements. In addition, they are more solid and are characterized by limiting the movement of the entire joint. Rigid stabilizers are most often used immediately after severe injuries or operations.
- Sports knee supports – these are the most complex structures. Sports knee stabilizers are most often manufactured for a specific competitor. They are characterized by resistance to external factors and high durability. They are used very often in athletes who, due to a past injury, feel psychological discomfort associated with the maximum use of the knee joint, which affects the quality of training.
Knee support – features that are worth paying attention to
When deciding on a knee stabilizer, you should be aware of the features that will make it ideally suited to your needs:
- easy to put on – the knee brace must be so well constructed that it will not be a problem to put it on,
- material – in the case of an elastic band, it must be made of a good material so as not to irritate the skin. This is especially important for more complex braces, which are usually worn all day.
- anatomy – any good stabilizer must fit well to the shape of the knee. It cannot be too loose or cause abrasions,
- stretch and size – the brace must properly adhere to the knee – care should be taken that it does not slip or put too much pressure on it, which may obstruct blood flow.
Stabilizer – when is it worth it?
Stabilizers are useful in special cases, when ailments with the knees do not allow us to function normally, when we want to protect ourselves against injury or when we are after surgery or an injury. How to choose a stabilizer depends on the type of injury, physical activity practiced and indications of the attending physician. Soft stabilizers are intended for people with minor injuries or pain in the knee joint of unknown origin. Hard stabilizers are a good substitute for gypsum and other stiffeners. They are also very often used after surgical procedures for safety and forcing the knee to work in the appropriate range of flexion and extension. Sports stabilizers are an important element for a person who is actively engaged in physical activity. Provides maximum comfort and stiffening of the joint during training. In many cases, actively training athletes struggle with joint or muscle overload. The use of good quality stabilizers can speed up the recovery time of an injured person.
Stabilizers – price
The price of the stabilizers ranges from PLN 80 to PLN 1800 and depends on the function it is to perform: healing, corrective or prophylactic.