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How Do MCL Knee Braces Help?
The medial collateral ligament is a robust and superficial ligament on the inside of the knee joint.
The function of the MCL is to prevent excessive inward movement of the knee during motion and activity. Injuries to this ligament are mostly treated conservatively with rest and an MCL Knee brace in the acute phase.
A brace that can limit knee bend angle is used for more significant injuries. In severe cases, complete joint immobilisation in full extension may be necessary to facilitate healing.
Aside from pain, a common complaint with this injury is that the knee can feel unstable. This feeling of instability can continue well beyond the full healing of the ligament, as the ligament may heal with greater laxity than pre-injury. In these cases, braces can be helpful to provide excellent stability and compression to improve the proprioception of the joint and consequentially improve control. Both of these elements will prevent injury or re-injury.
James McCormack is a Physical Therapist who specializes in foot & ankle injuries. james-mccormack.com participates 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. Earnings from this content allow us to create free-to-read content without affecting the price of the MCL Knee brace we recommend.
Best MCL Knee Brace
The best MCL Knee brace has a compression sleeve and adjustable sidebars with above and below-knee straps.
The compression sleeve helps to reduce swelling, while the adjustable sidebars protect the MCL by limiting knee valgus and hyperextension. The knee straps help to hold the brace in position.
McDavid Hinged MCL Knee Brace
- Hinged joint sidebars
- Strong stabilization
- Compression sleeve design
- Adjustable straps for a secure fit
- Open patella design
- Sweat-absorbing and quick-dry material
This is a good knee brace if you need help with the stability of your knee but do not need to limit the angle of your knee. This is a light brace that can also be used for the prevention of an MCL injury as well as recovery from a mild injury.
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NEENCA Hinged MCL Knee Brace
- Hinged joint sidebars with adjustable angle fixation
- Adjustable straps for a secure fit
- Open patella design
- Sweat-absorbing and quick-dry material
This is a good knee brace if you need moderate support and to limit the knee to specific angles after a moderate MCL injury. It offers moderate support but is less stable in full extension than longer braces.
Buy Neenca MCL Brace on AmazonBauerfeind GenuTrain S Knee Brace
- Medical grade compression
- Hinged joint sidebars with adjustable angle fixation
- Adjustable straps for a secure fit
- Visco elastic pad surrounds the patella
This high-quality, durable knee brace is well-designed for those who want to use it while playing sports. It has a secure fit and provides significant stability while being breathable and lightweight.
This is a good option for those who feel their knee is unstable and need more support from a brace and for those who have swelling around the knee following a mild or moderate MCL injury.
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Orthomen Hinged MCL Knee Brace
- Full knee extension immobilization
- Hinged joint sidebars with adjustable angle fixation
- Strong stabilization
- Comfortable padding
- Adjustable straps for a secure fit
This is a great knee brace for recovery from a severe MCL injury or use after surgery.
The greater length and adjustable angles of knee flexion will provide the fixation and security needed after a repair surgery of the MCL. This works well with a knee compression sleeve underneath during the acute phase after surgery when there is more swelling.
Buy Orthomen MCL Brace on AmazonPhysiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice and we recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack before choosing a brace. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments weekly.