What Is A Meniscus Tear?
The meniscus is a cartilage in the knee that cushions the joints between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). You have two menisci in each knee. When you twist your knee, it could tear the meniscus. This type of injury does not heal on its own. Depending on the severity of your injury, the doctor might recommend medications. However, you have to rest your knee and use a knee brace for a speedy recovery. If your doctor has recommended wearing a knee brace, check the list of the top 11 knee brace for meniscus tear available on the market.
11 Best Knee Braces For Meniscus Tear
1. Physix Gear Sport Knee Support Brace
The Physix Gear Sport Knee Support Brace is made of 4-way stretch lycra and nylon for optimum support. It is easy to wear and has a knitted structure that allows a full range of motion and offers athletic compression to reduce knee discomfort. This knee brace is lightweight, and you can wear it under tight clothes. The anti-slip silicone grip wave design helps to stabilize your knees without cutting off circulation. The sleeve moves with the contours of your knee and does not chafe. It is available in different sizes and is perfect for those who have a meniscus tear and arthritis. Specifications
Material: Nylon Closure Type: Pull On
Pros
Non-slip grip Stretchable Durable Lightweight
Cons
No straps
2. TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
The TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support provides bi-directional support to the knee. It has an open-patella design with four spring stabilizers and is equipped with a gel pad coating to compress the optimal points and speed up recovery. This knee brace is made of breathable and moisture-wicking neoprene. The silicone strips prevent slipping while the alternate hook and loop straps provide even support and compression. This knee brace is best for meniscus tears, ACL/MCL injuries, tendonitis, and arthritis. Specifications
Material: Nylon Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Lightweight Breathable Even support Available in 4 sizes
Cons
Non-adjustable mid-strap Thick
3. NEENCA Professional Knee Brace
The NEENCA Professional Knee Brace is suitable for meniscus tear, arthritis, joint pain relief, and sports injury recovery. The patella gel pads and the double-sided metal spring stabilizers provide strength and stability to your knees. The non-slip silicone straps and high-elastic keep the braces in place and prevent them from sliding and tumbling. The high-precision 3D cutting technology is made of breathable fabric that reduces knee pressure. The air knit fabric absorbs sweat quickly without causing allergies and itchiness. Specifications
Material: Nylon Closure Type: Pull-on
Pros
Lightweight Breathable fabric Sweat-resistant Available in 6 sizes
Cons
Not durable
4. Berter Knee Brace
The Berter Knee Brace has an open patella design and is made of nylon, rubber, and steel strips. It has shock-absorbing silicone strips to stabilize and protect your patella, meniscus, ligament, and knee cartilage from injuries. The dual springs provide stability and support without restricting movement. The breathable and moisture-wicking neoprene fabric of this brace feels comfortable. This knee brace has anti-slip strips at both ends for a stable grip. The long velcro straps on the sides help in easy adjustment. This brace helps redistribute the pressure usually exerted on the tendons while exercising. It is best for meniscus tear, arthritis, sprains, soreness, stiffness, swelling, tendonitis, muscle fatigue, ACL/ PCL/MCL, and other knee issues. Specifications
Material: Rubber and nylon Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Breathable Anti-slip design Flexible Adjustable strap
Cons
Not durable May not fit large people
5. Bodyprox Hinged Knee Brace
This heavy-duty, open patella hinged knee brace by Bodyprox is suitable for ACL injuries and meniscus tears. This orthosis brace is made of high-grade, latex-free material and has neoprene thermal compression. The product has dual removable aluminum hinges to prevent hyperextension without restricting mobility. The open patella design enables proper alignment of the knee cap and helps in stabilizing the knee. This knee brace has a perforated back, so there is no skin pinching or bunching. The adjustable wrap-around design ensures a snug fit and does not slip, while the moisture-wicking feature provides dry comfort. This brace comes in four sizes. Specifications
Material: Nylon, spandex, and polyester Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Latex-free Thermal compression Comfortable Breathable material
Cons
Bulky
6. Nvorliy Hinged ROM Knee Brace
The Nvorliy Hinged ROM Knee Brace is designed for knee issues like meniscus tears, tendonitis, ACL, and synthetical knee joint instability. It is also recommended for post-surgery support. This knee brace has a locking dial to adjust the compression level and the mobility range between -10° to 120°. The adjustable design with straps and hinges ensures a firm yet comfortable grip and prevents slipping. This brace is made of neoprene and nylon and has adjustable velcro straps to prevent sliding. Specifications
Material: Neoprene and nylon Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Adjustable Removable hinges Non-slip Durable Latex-free
Cons
Limited sizes May cause skin abrasion
7. Athledict Knee Brace
The Athledict Knee Brace has an anatomical shape for added support and adjustable straps for stability. Its silicone design makes it non-slip and comfortable to wear. The ergonomic structure allows optimal circulation and comfort during exertion. The targeted compression points help reduce knee pain by inserting pressure in the right areas. This is an FDA-approved compression sleeve for pain relief. It has an ergonomic design with extra adjustable wrap to boost circulation, reduce swelling, and accelerate recovery. This lightweight knee brace offers the perfect balance between stability and comfort. Specifications
Material: Nylon and spandex Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Lightweight Removable straps Non-slip FDA-approved
Cons
Sizes are not accurate
8. Vive Hinged Knee Brace
This is a reversible brace best for those recovering from knee surgery or injuries. It is made with non-slip material and has an open patella design for optimal compression. It retains heat to reduce inflammation and swelling. This knee brace comes with removable straps and has an adjustable design. It is breathable, lightweight, latex-free, and easy to wear under clothes. The neoprene fabric is meant for extended usage without irritating the skin. It comes with two removable aluminum hinges and a 60-day unconditional guarantee. Specifications
Material: Neoprene Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Easy use Durable Lightweight Breathable Unisex
Cons
Uncomfortable hinges
9. Anoopsyche Knee Brace
The Annopsyche Knee Brace has an open patella design to relieve pressure and reduce knee fatigue. It has a reinforced patella stabilizer that allows quick healing and four metal springs that support and protect the knees during exercise. It is made of neoprene and is non-slippery, breathable, durable, and flexible. The silicone grips provide stability to the knee brace during excessive exertion. This knee brace has tiny perforations that help reduce moisture, itchiness, and odor. The three adjustable velcro straps help you attach the brace to any exterior point for a comfortable and snug fit. Specifications
Material: Neoprene Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Easy use Comfortable Durable Breathable
Cons
Non-sturdy velcro
10. Arthethik Knee Brace
The Arthethik Knee Brace has an anatomically shaped open patella design for superior support and comfort. It is made of perforated neoprene for optimal ventilation and warmth. This knee brace is designed to compress the knee cap and tendons, ensuring proper and fast healing. It also has two straps and a gel pad for better protection. This knee brace is non-slippery, adjustable, made of latex-free breathable material, and comfortable to use. The mesh fabric ensures there is no itching or sweating. The large velcro straps are adjustable and enable the knee brace to provide consistent compression and support. Specifications
Material: Neoprene Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Breathable Flexible Sturdy velcro
Cons
Bulky
11. BraceAbility Hinged Knee Brace
The BraceAbility Hinged Knee Brace has a front-closure design and dual axis polycentric hinges for superior stability. The premium-grade neoprene material allows heat retention, flexibility, good compression, and optimal circulation. This medical-grade knee brace has adjustable straps to keep it in position. It also has a circular cut behind the knee to prevent bunching. The knee brace is available in four different sizes and is suitable for meniscus tear, hyperextension, ACL/MCL/LCL injuries, arthritis, and other knee issues. The simple wrap-around design makes it easy for overweight or heavy people to put it on. Specifications
Material: Nylon and neoprene Closure Type: Hook and loop
Pros
Comfortable Non-slip Durable Lightweight
Cons
Plus-sizes only
These are the best knee braces for a meniscus tear and other knee injuries. All these products provide excellent support and foster recovery. If you are wondering how these braces work and the benefits, scroll down for the answers.
How Do Knee Braces For Meniscus Tears Work?
A knee brace assists in reducing pain and inflammation while offering better mobility and stability to the knee. Here’s how it may help you:
Provide Stability: An injury in the cartilage affects the joints, muscles, and areas around it. Walking with a torn meniscus will aggravate the injury and even damage the surrounding tissues. A knee brace offers stability, support, and protection on the sides of the knee. It compresses the knee area, minimizing pain and the wobbly feeling when you walk. The models with hinges offer more stability than the ones without hinges. However, the doctor decides which type of knee brace you might need, depending on the injury’s severity. Help Prevent Hyperextension: A good quality knee brace supports a hyperextended knee and speeds up recovery. Hyperextension is when the knee is extended beyond its range of motion. It also prevents re-injury. If you have a mild hyperextension, wearing a knee brace can help minimize swelling and discomfort. Provide Even Compression: A knee brace compresses the injured area, focusing on particular pressure points. This induces pain relief. Relieve Soreness: Soreness, swelling, and inflammation are common during the initial phases of Knee braces compress the injured area, often retaining the heat. This helps reduce soreness and inflammation.
Now you know how knee braces facilitate recovery of a torn meniscus. However, before you buy one, there are several factors to consider.
How To Choose The Best Knee Brace For A Torn Meniscus
Type
Knee braces are of different types. You will get hinged braces, wrap-around braces, strapped braces, open patella and closed patella braces, and knee sleeves. Some are good for post-surgery recovery, while some are perfect for mild injuries. You have to choose one, depending on the severity of your injury. Always consult a doctor before buying a knee brace.
Comfort
A knee brace should fit perfectly and feel comfortable. If it is too tight, it might restrict the blood flow. If it is too loose, it cannot provide enough support and stability to the injured knee. In both cases, the condition might worsen. Pick one that provides the right pressure and feels comfortable.
Support
A good quality knee brace supports the tendons and cartilage and helps maintain the position of the patella. Knee braces with adjustable straps are good for mild injury. For severe injury, your knee might need hinged support. Pick one as suggested by your doctor, depending on the severity of your injury. Also, ensure that the knee brace is made of high-quality material to holds on to the knee.
Size
Knee braces come in different sizes. However, some might have a one-size-fits-all design. Pick one that can comfortably snug the knee and covers the entire area adequately. Check the measurements provided by the manufacturer before buying.
Price
High price doesn’t necessarily mean the best quality product. You will also get good quality knee braces at an affordable cost. See if the product is positioned correctly around the knee and feels comfortable. Using a knee brace can certainly minimize pain and discomfort caused by a torn meniscus. However, it does not eliminate the need for invasive treatment. If your injury is mild, a knee brace can help prevent further deterioration of the condition. However, it is always advisable to consult the doctor before using a knee brace as they can suggest the right type of brace, depending on the severity of the injury. If you know which type of brace will work for your injury and it is there on our list, buy it today.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Aditi Naskar, the author, has a diploma in health and wellness and is a fitness expert. After hours of extensive research and perusing through many product reviews across forums, Aditi has chosen these knee braces to help speed up meniscus tear repairs. She recommends these products as they offer good stability and support to your knees, they prevent hyperextension, provide even compression, and relieve soreness. Is it okay to wear the knee brace to bed? No, knee braces are not for overnight wear. Wearing one for too long can restrict blood circulation. Can the knee brace cause your knee muscles and ligaments to weaken? Yes, there are chances that a knee brace can weaken your knee muscles or ligament if worn for a very long time. Knee braces are meant for short-term use. Is it better to wear a sports knee brace than athletic tape? Athletic tape is a short-term solution used by professionals. Braces are for stabilizing the knee. Both have different purposes and should not be worn without consulting the doctor. How long do you wear a knee brace for a torn meniscus? Wear a knee brace for about 2 months to achieve optimum benefits during recovery from a torn meniscus. What is the difference between a knee brace and a knee sleeve? A knee brace supports the anterior knee; however, a knee sleeve doesn’t support the ligaments. Knee sleeves are used for preventive needs, but a knee brace is used for quick recoveries. Is it OK to wear a knee brace all day? You can wear a knee brace all day. However, if you overdo it (use it too long too frequently) it can weaken your joints.
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