Top 10 Best-Hinged Knee Brace Reviews

Did you know that the knee is one of the most significant and most important joints in the body? This is the reason why you should ensure that your knee is healthy and free from any pain. If the knee is not in good shape, you might not do much as walking and standing can be a problem to you. Taking care of it, it means that you have to minimize wear and tear and ensure that the knee is well supported whenever you are engaging in any activity out there. Also, it needs support whenever you have injuries around that area. One way to ensure that your knee remains healthy is by stabilizing it using a hinged knee brace.

The good news is that a knee brace helps mitigate knee pains as it permits you to move forward and backward with precision. Besides this, the hinged knee brace usually limits and stabilizes rotational and lateral movement.

Top 10 Hinged Knee Brace

Product Name	Picture	Price
1. DonJoy Performance Bionic Fullstop ACL Knee Brace
2. DonJoy Performance Bionic Knee Brace – Hinged, Adjustable Patella Support, Lateral / Medial Ligament (ACL, MCL, LCL)
3. Vive Hinged Knee Brace – Open Patella Support Wrap for Women, Men
4. DonJoy Deluxe Hinged Knee Brace, Drytex Sleeve, Open Popliteal, Large
5. DonJoy Performance Bionic Drytex Hinged Knee Sleeve
6. Hinged Knee Brace: Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace
7. Hinged Knee Brace Support with Strap & Side Patella Stabilizers
8. Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace (EA)
9. McDavid 429X Knee Brace, Maximum Knee Support & Compression for Knee Stability
10. Bauerfeind – GenuTrain S – Knee Support

What Does A Hinged Knee Brace Do?

As mentioned above, a hinged knee can support and stabilize an injured knee. This product basically limits movement as your knee heals after an injury or surgery. To limit any movement, the hinged knee brace usually exerts leverage on different parts of the knee. Here, you will be able to flex and extend your leg in a perfectly linear motion. Also, the product helps reduce pain and pressure if you already have arthritis in your knee.

In fact, studies have shown that hinged knee braces normally absorb torque and force when one is engaging in athletics, among other activities. Since it offers compression to the soft tissues of the knee, you can be sure that it will provide much-needed comfort and support. Besides, you are likely to be more stable when using this product. Fortunately, there are many types of hinged knee braces to choose from. This way, you will keep all your knee injuries and pain at bay.

Who Ought to Strive A Hinged Knee Brace

If you are looking for a way to offer more support than just a knee compression sleeve or wrap, you should consider looking for a hinged knee brace. Since this product offers more support, you can be sure that this product will reduce knee pain and thereby guarantee you more stability while at the same time offering injury protection.

One fantastic aspect about the hinged knee brace is that it can stop your knee from hyperextending. Therefore, if you want to reduce pain and improve your ability to hike, walk, or even work, this hinged knee brace will meet these needs for you. Besides this, the following is the category of people who should consider looking for a hinged knee brace:

1. If you want to avoid knee surgery as a result of ligament or cartilage problems.
2. If you are returning to your regular activities after having knee surgery.
3. If you want to support a weak and unstable knee.
4. Patients suffering from arthritis
5. If you have just had a complete knee replacement and want to recover soon.

10 Best Hinged Knee Braces

Since you have known who is eligible for wearing a hinged knee brace, time is ripe for you to choose the best-hinged knee brace so that your knee can get the much-needed support and comfort. Also, the hinged knee brace will speed up your recovery process after you have undergone a knee replacement or knee surgery. Here are some of the best-hinged knee braces that you should consider:

1. DonJoy Performance Bionic Fullstop ACL Knee Brace

To start with, the knee brace comes with a hinge technology and a 4-point leverage system that trains users on how to stay out of the “at-risk” position through a dampening cycle of the hinge. Besides this, you can expect that you will enjoy compression and thermal heat regulation that prevents you from overheating. It also comes with an anti-migration technology that prevents sleeve movement.

The product comes with adjustable straps that enable greater customizability. This way, you can be sure that it will remain safe and will fit you well. Apart from this, it has reflective properties that make it more visible at night.

As far as knee injuries are concerned, it is designed to treat and protect ACL and meniscus injuries. In addition, it can help mitigate joint instabilities, moderate ligament, and tendon sprains and offer much-needed patella support. The product mentioned above is ideal for use in sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and many more.

2. DonJoy Performance Bionic Knee Brace – Hinged, Adjustable Patella Support, Lateral / Medial Ligament (ACL, MCL, LCL)

The knee brace comes with bilateral polycentric hinges with hyperextension to mitigate knee instability. Since it features top and bottom stretch webbing closure with TPR pull tabs, you can be sure that it will deliver a precision fit.

Its wrap-around design offers much-needed comfort to your knee. Also, this feature makes it easy to put on and off. Besides this, its anti-migration technology helps to prevent chances of the hinged knee brace slipping off. Its perforated neoprene boosts the breathability of this product. Finally, it is reflective, thereby making it more visible even at night.

3. Vive Hinged Knee Brace – Open Patella Support Wrap for Women, Men 

By investing in this hinged knee brace, you can be sure that it will improve knee stability and offer more support. This is usually more important when you are recovering from injuries or even surgeries. Those with weak or arthritic knees will enjoy much-needed stability.

The other advantage of this knee brace is that it does not slip. Also, it will provide soothing compression and even retain the much needed therapeutic heat. This way, you can be sure that it will reduce swelling and any inflammation that might be present on your knee. In fact, your knee pain will be greatly reduced and thereby recover soon.

Its adjustable open patella design will ensure that it fits you well. Besides this, the design ensures that the pressure around the knee cap is significantly reduced, thereby providing stabilizing support for MCL and ACL injuries.

The knee brace comes with removable support hinges that are made with tempered aluminum. You can trust that you can easily remove the hinges from the integrated sleeves any time you please.

As far as weight is concerned, the knee brace is lightweight and made of breathable material. Since it is made with latex-free neoprene, you can be sure that it will stay cool and dry throughout the day. Finally, the hinged knee brace comes with a 60-day guarantee from the manufacturer. As a result, you can buy this product with utmost confidence.

4. DonJoy Deluxe Hinged Knee Brace, Drytex Sleeve, Open Popliteal, Large

First, the hinged knee brace is designed for moderate stability and support for knee ligaments, sprains, meniscus injuries, and even osteoarthritis. Since it comes with bilateral hinges, you can be sure that it will offer the much-needed knee support.

Besides offering support to your knee, it will also provide compression around the knee region. Also, it is made using breathable materials. As a result, you will enjoy improved airflow. Its open popliteal design will go a long way in preventing discomfort from friction burn. Therefore, it is ideal for those people with allergies or skin irritations.

5. DonJoy Performance Bionic Drytex Hinged Knee Sleeve

The hinged knee brace comes with a patented dryer material. As a result, it will be able to absorb any moisture around the knee region. The material is also breathable, thereby making the knee brace cool and comfier to wear.

Since it comes with an open patella design with donut, you can trust that it will offer more stability and protection to the knee cap. Besides this design, it comes with top and bottom straps for quick adjustments whenever you are doing your regular activities at home or even at the workplace.

It’s bilateral aluminum polycentric hinges will offer lateral ligaments stability and protection. Finally, the fit tip size is usually based on three measurements which include the knee, thigh, and calf circumference.

6. Hinged Knee Brace: Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace

This hinged knee brace is meant to prevent and heal medial and lateral instability. Also, it can be effective if you are suffering from minor patella instability, minor ligament sprains, arthritis, and many more. To prevent bad odor when it is in use, the knee brace comes with antimicrobial and airflow-vented tech. This way, you will be more comfortable even when you wear it for long.

Its heavy-duty bilateral dual hinges offer much-needed support while allowing you to move comfortably. Its four-way stretch Lycra mesh and pre-curved anatomical design will ensure that it fits well on either of your knees.

Besides, the hinged knee brace will remain in place as it comes with premium stitching and has integrated flexible side stabilizers. This way, it will not slip off your knee. Apart from this, the knee brace will compress your knee’s soft tissue and alight the knee joint well.

It will also boost therapeutic heat that will improve blood flow around the knee region. This will go a long way in boosting your knee’s healing process. Finally, the product is intended for close-fitting. Therefore, it might be small for some people. If you have a larger knee, you might need to size up for comfort purposes.

7. Hinged Knee Brace Support with Strap & Side Patella Stabilizers

Unlike other hinged knee braces, this one comes with a lifetime warranty. You are also free to return it if it does not meet your expectations. Therefore, the manufacturer of this product minds the customers’ welfare. Apart from the lifetime warranty, the knee brace allows a full range of movement while protecting your knee. By wearing this knee brace, you can be sure that you will recover and relieve any pain that might be present on your knee.

Its removable hinges and highly adjustable straps allow you to choose the amount of support that you need on your knee. As far as wearing is concerned, you can be sure that there are many ways of wearing this hinged brace. It is ideal for those who suffer from MCL and ACL injuries. Also, it is perfect for those who have arthritis, and so on. You can wear it when doing several activities such as biking, hiking, running and many more.

Worried about the comfort at the back of your knee? Worry no more as this hinged knee brace comes with a reversed open patella design. Besides this, the design allows you to customize open patella space. The hinges usually have extra cushioning from the inside to avert any form of discomfort.

8. Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace (EA)

The hinged knee brace comes with an upper strapping system that locks it in position. Besides this, it comes with triaxial hinges, which provide more protection with near-normal knee motion.

Its anti-slip inner grip usually prevents slipping when you wear the knee brace. To ensure that the knee brace fits you well, you should measure around the center of the knee. In most cases, you will find your size if the knee measure between 16” and 18”.

Finally, you will not experience difficulties as far as care and maintenance is concerned as you can hand wash it in cold water, using a mild detergent, and you will be good to go.

9. McDavid 429X Knee Brace, Maximum Knee Support & Compression for Knee Stability

As far as knee support is concerned, this hinged knee brace will not disappoint. You can be sure that it will help improve your knee stability and reduce knee injury in the long run. The hinged knee brace comes with compression elastic crossing straps that will offer enhanced collateral and rotational ligament support.

Its supportive geared side hinges usually make the knee brace more stable and fit. Also, for a personalized fit, the hinged knee brace has adjustable top and bottom straps. The knee brace provides thermal compression since it is made of latex-free neoprene material. As a result, it will keep all your muscles warm and prevent injuries in the long run.

Finally, the knee brace is very comfortable to wear as it comes with comfy bound edges that prevent any form of skin irritation. It is important to note that this knee brace is intended to fit snug for best support. However, if you have a larger knee, you might consider sizing up for more comfort.

10. Bauerfeind – GenuTrain S – Knee Support 

The above-mentioned knee brace offers medical-grade compression to promote circulation and even reduce swelling and pain. Besides this, the knee brace has joint sidebars that help mitigate any form of swelling and muscle fatigue. It also features an adjustable strap system to ensure knee stability without limiting mobility.

Unlike other hinged knee braces, this one comes with viscoelastic Omega pad that surrounds the kneecap to keep it centered. This in turn, yields the much-needed massaging effect, which activates the surrounding muscle tissue and stimulates blood circulation.

Some of those people who may benefit from this brace are those who have advanced arthritis, bone to bone arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, knee sprain, and knee instability. Since Bauerfeind has been producing high-quality products, you can be sure that you will not go wrong by buying this hinged knee brace.

Key Features to Look Before Buying Hinged Knee Brace

Since there are many hinged knee braces in the market, chances are that you might get confused and chose the wrong one. This is usually the case when you are a first-timer. However, to avert such problems, you should pay attention to the following factors. This way, you will be able to get value for your money. Some of the factors that you should consider include:

1. Comfortability

One of the main factors that you should check when buying a hinged knee brace is its comfortability. If it is too tight, you might not enjoy wearing it. However, for most models, you have to tighten them to offer the much-needed support to your knee. If your hinged knee brace of choice is too tight, it might too hot for you and can make you sweat more around the knee area. Therefore, there is a need for you to choose a hinged knee brace that is made of breathable materials.

2. Ease of putting them on

Besides comfort, you should ensure that your hinged knee brace of choice should be easy to put on. If it comes with adjustable straps, you can be sure that you will be able to wrap them around your knee when putting on the hinged knee brace.

However, there are other hinged knee braces that come in the form of sleeves. All you need to do is to place them over your foot and then slide them up your shins and finally over your knees. Such braces have proved to be very effective, only that they can be cumbersome as you need to take off your shoes and socks off before putting them on. In this case, your final choice will depend on how fast you want to place it on your knee.

3. Size

By getting the right size brace for your knee, you can be sure that you will get the much-needed support and comfort. Fortunately, these braces usually come in different sizes. Sometimes, you might get confused when choosing the right size for your brace. To avert his problem, you should read the instructions that come with the package and note the size indicated on the package. However, you should note that the rules differ from one manufacturer to another as far as measurements are concerned.

4. Open or Closed Patella

To start with, you will note that knee braces can either have open or closed patella support. If your hinged knee brace of choice has an open patella, you can be sure that the kneecap will be free of pressure. However, it comes with closed support; it will place pressure on the patella.

5. Material

Your hinged knee brace of choice should be made of a sturdy material so that it can last longer. In any case, this product usually does a lot of work as it has to hold up to the demands you place it. If it is durable and tear-resistant, you can be sure that it will last for ages and thereby enable you get value for your money.

6. Price

Different hinged knee braces will cost different prices. Some might cost an arm and a leg, while others might be low budget products. If you are looking for a high-quality hinged knee brace, you should be ready to pay more.

In most cases, the brace will be more reliable and stable. By getting a high-quality hinged knee brace, you will protect your knee more effectively. For optimal results, you can ask for discounts or compare different prices before eventually settling on one product. After all, the main aim will be to get the value for your hard-earned money.

7. Soft or rigid?

Some hinged knee braces will be soft, while others will be more rigid. If you are looking for greater compression, you should go for the soft ones. Such are deal for mild conditions. These braces are usually made of breathable neoprene, which makes it to offer much-needed support and compression. However, if you have serious ailments, you can choose rigid braces.

8. Lightweight

If you are going to use the hinged knee brace daily, you should ensure that it is as lightweight as possible. This can actually make activities such as athletics easier for you. For optimal results, you should consider choosing one that is made of a breathable material such as Lycra, neoprene, meshed or webbed backing.

9. Washable

Besides being lightweight, your hinged knee brace of choice should be easy to wash. This is because it is bound to get dirty after use. From sweat to dust, there are many things that can dirty it. By cleaning it, you will be able to keep it in shape. Ideally, it should be able to take some cycles through the washer and dryer without losing its ability to stabilize your knee.

10. Hinges

The hinges of this product usually play a very important role. As you look for the best-hinged knee brace, chances are that you will come across different products with different hinges. To start with, you might come across knee braces that have removable hinges. If the knee brace has this kind of hinges, you will have an easy time removing it from the sleeve. This makes the brace more versatile as it allows you to have the much-needed range of motion.

If the knee brace has polycentric hinges, you can be sure that you will set how far you can extend and flex your knee until you have recovered fully. This is more important if you are recovering from surgery and you intend to limit your range of motion. Finally, if the knee brace has cushioned hinges, they will press down on your knee to maintain the much-needed stability. In fact, they will ease pressure and chafing around this region.

11. Warranty

Your hinged knee brace of choice should come with a warranty from the manufacturer. This can assure you that you can get a replacement if the product gets faulty days or weeks after purchase. The longer the warranty period, the better. This can greatly help you save more money in the long run.

How To Put On A Hinged Knee Brace Properly

For you properly put on a hinged knee brace, you should follow these steps:

• Open the brace so that it lays flat. After that, place it under your leg as guided by the physical therapist.
• Adjust the brace on your leg such that the dials are in the middle on either side of the knee.
• Starting from the bottom, wrap the pad around your leg. With the strap buckles on the outer side of your leg, snap the buckle closed over the pads. Then, adjust the Velcro strap.
• Thereafter, close all the buckles.

Ideally, you should be able to place two fingers between the brace and your leg. If this does not happen, then it shows that your brace is too tight. Also, if you are experiencing some numbness after closing all the buckles, it shows that your brace is too tight. A brace that is too tight can be detrimental as blood might not flow well around the knee area. To avert this, you should loosen it a bit.

Wearing a hinged knee brace after a knee injury or after knee surgery can be a great component as far as your knee’s rehabilitation protocol is concerned. For optimal results, you should ensure that the hinged knee brace fits well for normal healing to occur.

Common Knee Injuries that May Benefit from Wearing a Hinged Knee Brace

Some of the common knee injuries that might benefit from wearing a hinged knee brace include:

• Medical collateral Ligament (MCL)
• Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

It is worth noting that MCL injuries and LCL injuries are prevalent among those people who are involved in athletic activities. On the other hand, people who engage in sports that need the player to be swift and make abrupt movements are likely to get ACL injuries.

Some of these abrupt movements include pivoting, stopping, or even making quick turns. Also, if you jump and land on kneels straight instead of having them flexed, you might get ACL injuries. If this happens, you might need to buy a hinged knee brace and wear it for about 6 months or more.

FAQs

How do I know what size knee brace I need?

To get the right size for your knee brace, you need to take some measurements. Here, you can have someone to help you so that you can be as accurate as possible. First, you should stand up with your leg straight. Using a soft measuring tape, measure 6 inches up to the middle of your knee cap and label this as point X.

After that, measure all the way around your leg at point X. Once this is done, use the measuring tape to measure 6 inches down from the middle of your kneecap. This can be labeled as point B. After this, measure all the way around your calf at this point. After that, you will know the right size for your knee brace.

What kind of knee brace is best for arthritis?

If you are looking for the best knee brace for arthritis, you should consider choosing the unloader-style knee brace. However, you should brace yourself as this knee brace is quite expensive. Also, this knee brace works well on thinner people with arthritis on only one side of the knee.

Does wearing a knee brace weaken the knee?

No, but if you wear it for an extended period, it can actually weaken the knee. Basically, the knee usually relies on the stability that is provided by the brace instead of its natural stabilizers. For instance, if your knee is weak, but you go ahead and use a strong brace, it will still be a weak knee. This is the reason why most athletes usually injure the same knee every now and then.

Can you walk with a hinged knee brace?

Yes. You can actually walk while wearing a hinged knee brace. In fact, this will fasten the healing process.

How do you keep a knee brace from slipping down?

To ensure that the knee brace does not slip down, you should consider putting an amount of self-adhesive bandage under each strap. By doing this, you will keep the brace up, and even keep the knee stabilized for longer periods.

Do I wear a knee brace over or under jeans?

Ideally, you should wear the brace directly against the skin and not over your jeans. However, you can go ahead and wear an undergarment sleeve under the brace, and you will be good to go.

Verdict

It is true to say that a hinged knee brace is one of the best options that can help patients who have had knee injuries in the past. Also, it can help you recover after a knee replacement or surgery. The good news is that this product usually allows for a wide range of movement while at the same time, offer maximum support. By wearing the hinged knee brace, you will be able to get back to doing the things you loved doing. From running to walking, there is a lot that you will be able to do with less or no knee pain at all. Consider this guide today, and you will get the best hinged knee brace that you always desired.