Knee Braces
Hinged Knee Brace
For ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, LCL), post-surgical recovery, and knee instability.
Sizing Guide
Measure around the center of your kneecap with your leg straight. Match to the manufacturer's size chart. The hinge should align with the center of your knee joint.
Tips & Tricks
Position the hinges directly at the sides of your knee joint. The brace should feel secure without sliding down. Adjust straps so the brace is snug but does not restrict circulation.
Common Mistakes
A brace that slides down your leg is too large. If the hinges are not aligned with your knee, the brace will not provide proper support and may cause discomfort.
Patellar Tendon Strap
For anterior knee pain, patellar tendonitis, and runner's knee.
Sizing Guide
Most patellar straps are one-size-fits-most with adjustable closures. No measurement needed. The strap should sit just below the kneecap.
Tips & Tricks
Place the strap directly below your kneecap, over the patellar tendon. Tighten until you feel mild pressure but no pain. You should be able to fit one finger under the strap.
Common Mistakes
Placing the strap too high (on the kneecap) or too low (mid-shin) reduces effectiveness. The strap should sit right at the bottom edge of the kneecap.
Elastic Knee Sleeve
For mild knee swelling, general support, and light activity.
Sizing Guide
Measure around the center of your kneecap. Match to the manufacturer's size chart. The sleeve should fit snugly like compression wear without cutting in.
Tips & Tricks
Roll the sleeve on rather than pulling it. This prevents overstretching the material. Wear it centered over the kneecap.
Common Mistakes
A sleeve that is too tight will restrict circulation and cause swelling below the knee. If you see skin bulging above or below the sleeve, it is too tight.
Knee Immobilizer
For post-injury or post-surgical immobilization of the knee in full extension.
Sizing Guide
Measure the length of your leg from mid-thigh to mid-calf. Most immobilizers come in lengths (12, 16, 18, 20, 24 inches). Choose the length that covers from above the knee to below it. Also measure thigh and calf circumference for width sizing.
Tips & Tricks
Center the immobilizer behind your knee. Fasten straps starting from the middle and work outward. The knee should be held straight. Wear over clothing or a sock to prevent skin irritation.
Common Mistakes
An immobilizer that is too short will not properly stabilize the knee. If the top or bottom edge digs in, the length is wrong.
KO Wrap-Around with Aluminum Hinges
For moderate knee instability, arthritis support, and ligament injuries requiring firm lateral support.
Sizing Guide
Measure around the center of your kneecap with your leg straight. Match to the manufacturer's size chart. The wrap-around design makes it easier to put on than pull-on braces.
Tips & Tricks
Open the brace fully, wrap it around your knee, and close the fasteners. Make sure the aluminum hinges align with the center of your knee joint on both sides. Adjust until snug.
Common Mistakes
If the hinges sit above or below your knee joint line, the brace will bind when you bend. Take time to position the hinges correctly before tightening.
Knee T-Scope (Range-of-Motion Brace)
For post-surgical rehabilitation requiring controlled range of motion at the knee.
Sizing Guide
T-Scope braces are typically one-size-adjustable with telescoping bars. Adjust the length so the hinge aligns with your knee joint center. Follow surgical team instructions for ROM settings.
Tips & Tricks
Your surgeon or therapist will set the allowed range of motion. Do not adjust the ROM settings yourself unless instructed. Check strap tension regularly as swelling changes post-surgery.
Common Mistakes
Changing the range-of-motion settings without your surgeon's guidance can compromise your recovery. Also, straps that are too loose allow the brace to shift and the hinge to misalign.
Unloader Knee Brace (Osteoarthritis Off-Loader)
For mild to moderate unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (one side of the knee), patellofemoral pain, and bowlegged (varus) or knock-kneed (valgus) deformity with pain. The brace shifts load away from the painful compartment.
Sizing Guide
Measure thigh circumference 6 inches above your kneecap and calf circumference 6 inches below your kneecap. Knee circumference is the most important measurement; if between sizes, go up. Crucially, pick the correct configuration: "Medial" for inner-knee (varus, bowlegged) OA, "Lateral" for outer-knee (valgus, knock-kneed) OA. Also pick left or right leg.
Tips & Tricks
The brace works by gently pushing the knee away from the painful side, which opens up that compartment and reduces bone-on-bone contact. Position the hinges directly at the sides of your knee joint. Lower-profile braces (like the DonJoy OA Reaction Web) fit discreetly under pants. Single-upright unloaders are typical for mild to moderate OA; double-upright versions are reserved for more advanced cases.
Common Mistakes
Choosing the wrong side (medial vs. lateral) is the most common mistake and will worsen pain instead of relieving it. Confirm which compartment is affected with your provider before ordering. A brace sized too tight restricts circulation; too loose and it will slip during walking and lose its unloading effect.
Neoprene Hinged Knee Sleeve
For mild knee instability, post-injury support, arthritis, and activities that put stress on the knee. Less rigid than a wraparound brace but more supportive than an elastic sleeve.
Sizing Guide
Measure around the center of your kneecap with your leg straight. Match to the manufacturer's chart. Most pull-on hinged sleeves come in standard sizes (S, M, L, XL); choose the size where the sleeve fits snugly without cutting in.
Tips & Tricks
A neoprene sleeve provides warmth and mild compression while the integrated side hinges add lateral stability. Pull-on style is easier to put on than a wraparound but harder if your knee is very swollen. The hinges should align with the sides of your knee joint. Hand-wash and air-dry to extend the sleeve's life.
Common Mistakes
A sleeve that slides down your leg is too large. Hinges that sit above or below the joint line will bind when you bend the knee. Neoprene can cause skin irritation for some users — wear a thin liner sock or cotton sleeve underneath if you develop a rash.
Patella Stabilizing Brace (J Brace / PTO)
For patella maltracking, patellofemoral pain syndrome, patella subluxation or dislocation, post-lateral release surgery, and chronic kneecap instability.
Sizing Guide
Sized XS through XXL. Measure thigh and calf circumference at the points specified by the manufacturer's chart. The brace has an open hole at the kneecap with a buttress or pressure plate on one side (usually the lateral, outer side) that pushes the kneecap inward.
Tips & Tricks
Position the open hole directly over your kneecap and the lateral buttress on the outside of the knee. The buttress creates a soft tissue wall that prevents the kneecap from sliding sideways. Some braces (like the Breg PTO) feature an adjustable pressure plate so you can fine-tune the amount of correction. Wear during sport, exercise, or any activity where the knee buckles or feels unstable.
Common Mistakes
If the open hole does not center over the kneecap, the brace will not stabilize tracking properly. The buttress goes on the side the kneecap tends to slip toward (usually outer/lateral). Generic elastic knee sleeves do not provide patella tracking support — make sure the brace specifically calls itself a patella stabilizer or J brace.