Braces and Supports
Brace for Runner’s Knee
Read More >
The LCL is the lateral collateral ligament of the knee. Injuries to this ligament occur from excessive varus force, rotation of the knee or hyperextension. Once an injury has been sustained the ligament has been stretched and in more severe cases torn. This causes the knee to feel less stable and in more severe injuries it can be unstable, causing the knee to buckle with certain movements. A knee brace for an LCL injury can be a helpful tool to use while recovering and healing. In some cases, it can be helpful to continue wearing the brace once recovered for sports and other challenging circumstances, such as physical work.
James McCormack is a Physical Therapist who specialises in knee, foot & ankle injuries. www.james-mccormack.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Neenca Compressive Knee Sleeve
For more minor injuries such as strains or grade 1 tears as there is less feeling of instability, a compressive sleeve can offer comforting support without the cumbersome structure of a hinged brace. Where there is minimal physical restraint of lateral movements with a compressive sleeve, it can help the knee feel more stable as proprioception increases with the contact on the skin. This sleeve also has lateral spring bars which will increase your awareness of any lateral movement.
McDavid Knee Brace
For more severe LCL injuries such as grade 2 or 3 tears, more support is needed. This brace from McDavid offers lateral stability with the hinged sidebars which allow flexion and extension movements of the knee but support the knee medially and laterally. They come in 7 different sizes and have adjustable straps to ensure the correct and comfortable fit.
Z1 Full Length Knee Brace
For the most severe LCL injuries, such as grade 3 tears, or post operatively, the highest support is needed. The longer length of the brace will provide more lateral stability while the hinges still allow for free flexion and extension movements at the knee.
Some people prefer to wear a sleeve under these braces. If there is swelling, with an acute injury or after surgery, a compressive sleeve can be very helpful to reduce the swelling, as well as for comfort.
Physiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments for £45.