JohnThe knee is one of the most significant and most crucial joints in the body. Thus, we need to make sure that we take enough care of them. Without them, we would not be able to do that much at all.
Ensuring good knee health means that you will need to protect them when necessary, minimizing wear and tear and making sure that they’re well-supported when recovering from an injury or during activity.
A great way to meet such needs is making sure that the knee is stabilized with the best-hinged knee brace.
Read More: Best Knee Braces
Hinged knee braces offer a great level of support and also help reduce knee pain. It is suitable for knees with cartilage or ligament problems, people with arthritis, have an unstable and weak knee as well as recovering from post-operation.
But how do you choose the right one?
Top 5 Best Hinged Knee Brace 2019
1. Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace
This hinged knee brace from Shock Doctor features bilateral support hinges as well as tempered aluminum that provides the knee protection, stability, and increased performance you need.
It has an antimicrobial and airflow vented tech, which helps in reducing bacteria, odor, and sweat so that you can stay comfortable during workouts or on a hot day. You get to move comfortably with its 4-way stretch spandex mesh as well as a pre-curved anatomical design that fits right and left knee.
Premium stitching, integrated, flexible side stabilizers and completely latex-free, this hinged knee cap stays in plays and also includes easy grip tabs for exact fitting.
Pros:
- High level of support
- Very durable
- Bilateral dual hinges
- Available in various sizes to ensure a good fit
Cons:
- Users report loose stitching
- Sizing is quite confusing
2. Vive Hinged Knee Brace
Useful for active individuals with arthritic, injured or weak knees, the Vive Hinged Brace offers an excellent support system that can be used on either leg. It features extra strength fasteners, which mean that you can adjust the sizing to your requirements.
Te brace also features aluminum hinges on both sides of the knee for extra support and can be removed I need less assistance. Meanwhile, the compression material helps provide support the injured muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Also, it uses neoprene that is both breathable and lightweight so you can use this hinged knee brace during exercise and for everyday use. Lastly, Vive offers an unconditional 60-Day guarantee on their product for a risk-free buying.
Pros:
- Reasonable prices
- Hinges are removable
- Breathable fabric
- One size fits all
- 60-day guarantee
Cons:
- Metal hinges tend to poke through stitching
3. Mueller Hg80 Knee Brace
The Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace from Mueller supports and help treat or prevent common knee injuries as well as post-operative healing surgeries. It features HYDRACINN fabric that is a moisture wicking substance to keep you cool and dry even during workouts.
The patented triaxial hinges help provide the maximum support and protection with almost-normal knee motion. Meanwhile, the inner anti-slip grip helps keep the brace in place. It also features a tibial containment system and flatlock seams that is a form-fitting design and is entirely adjustable to provide you only the most comfortable fit.
Lower and upper high locks braces in position and the custom secondary shell features a stabilizing patella buttress and rear support strap. Lastly, the brace antimicrobial preventing odors and damage caused by microorganism and bacteria.
Pros:
- !-year warranty
- Breathable fabric
- Antimicrobial
- Comfortable
Cons:
- People with big calves might find it tight
- Medium level of support
4. VieVibrante Hinged Knee Brace Plus Size
If you are overweight, have Turkey shape legs or large chunky thighs, then the VieVibrante Hinged Knee Brace is the right one for you. This Plus Size brace can fit 4XL – 7XL sizes that other brands don’t have.
It features anti-sliding strips that prevent the brace from falling and keeps it in place, even after a long period of wearing. It has removable and adjustable two side metal stabilizer which is combined with four metal springs that provide better support on your knee while adding flexibility.
Also, it has an exclusive 4 D-rings hinged locking mechanism as well as a wraparound design that ensures there is no cutting at the back of your knee. Lastly, your purchase comes with a full 90-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free buying.
Pros:
- Large sizes fit for larger people
- Anti-sliding strips
- Removable and adjustable metal stabilizers
- 4 metal springs for support
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Not for post knee surgery use
- Straps fasten at the back
5. McDavid Hinged Knee Brace
The McDavid Hinged Knee Brace is made of latex-free neoprene that provides optimum stretch and heat insulation while also being lighter and offering longer-lasting support. Meanwhile, the exterior layer of nylon fabric helps increase the durability of the brace.
You will also like the bound edges, which help prevent any skin irritation. Meanwhile, the perforated back panel helps in managing heat and moisture for an all-day comfort of wearing.
With an open 360-degree padded buttress, it isolates and supports your patella to provide moderate lateral and medial support and improving stability. The lightweight hinge features full arms that helps in maintaining strength while offering better support.
Pros:
- Exterior nylon fabric for durability
- 360-degree padded buttress
- Lightweight hinges
- Breathable fabric
Cons:
- Misleading sizing chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a hinged knee brace work?
Different knee braces are made to work in different ways. Some are designed to work as a cast, providing sturdy support and limit the amount of weight on your knees to promote healing.
Some lightweight braces are designed to help less severe knee issues, such as people with weak knees but still play high-intensity support.
In general, hinged knee braces are made to give you total support. By supporting the knee and certain areas of the leg, the knee is subjected to less pressure and weight, making the knee less prone to injuries.
Q: Do I need a prescription to get a hinged knee brace?
A: No. Once you have consulted your doctor about your knee concerns or injuries, you are then free to pick whatever knee brace you need without any prescription.
Q: How tight should a knee brace be?
A: Most people mistakenly think that if a knee sleeve feels tight, they are not the right size. In actuality, knee brace should be snug. Baggy or loose knee braces will not get the job done.
However, they should also never “pinch” or even cut off your circulation.
Q: Should I sleep with a hinged knee brace on?
A: In general, you should wear brace support during activity and for 1 – 2 hours afterward. And if you feel better wearing it longer, then it is excellent as well. But, it is not recommended wearing any brae support while sleeping.
Important Factors To Consider
Size
Getting the right size of the knee brace is crucial to ensure the best comfortability and support. Unfortunately, this can be quite difficult since manufacturers have various sizes available as well as their way of measuring what size they need.
When checking the best size, make sure that you pay attention to their instructions and don’t expect the measurement rules to be the same with manufacturers.
Support system
Knee braces are there for support. Without a properly designed support system, a hinged knee brace is next to useless. Knee braces that re poorly designed or made from low-quality materials, it might not deliver results that you need.
However, this does not mean that fewer materials mean lower quality.
Some knee braces are as simple as a strap which sits below the kneecap and can still be effective. Some are designed to encase the entire knee section of your legs. So, although the size doesn’t indicate whether a knee brace is a high quality or not, the materials used to construct the item and the support they provide do.
Comfortability
Knee braces tend to be particularly uncomfortable given that they should be tight enough to provide excellent support for your knees.
And sometimes that tightness may cause you to get very sweaty and hot under the brace. Thus, it is crucial that you choose a brace which uses a breathable material to offer some ventilation.
Open VS. Closed Patella
Knee braces come in either open or closed patella support.
Hinged knee braces with open patella make your kneecap to be pressure-free, whereas the one with closed patella support will add pressure on your patella.
If you are particularly looking for excellent patella support, then you might need to look for a knee brace that has this feature, too.
Conclusion
Our knees are incredibly strong joints that support you every time you jump, sprint, or even walk. However, such stress can make the knee more prone to damage.
So, if you want to keep them in good condition, hinged knee braces are one of the easiest ways to reduce knee instability and pain. Besides, they offer more protection than that simple pull-up sleeve knee braces on the market.