Speed up your recovery with the 10 knee braces for a meniscus tear and torn ACL below!
Meniscus injuries and ACL injuries often happen together. While they take a few months to heal, their prognoses are positive.
Having said that, the best knee brace for torn meniscus and ACL injuries can speed up this process in two ways.
First, by stabilizing your knee joint with compression, springs, or hinges. What you need depends on the severity of your knee injury.
Second, by reducing knee pain and swelling. Knee sleeves combined with cold therapy are incredibly effective for this.
With so many choices, though, we know first-hand how hard it can be to choose.
That’s why our physical therapists did the research, tested dozens of knee braces, and found the 10 best knee braces for any and all types of ACL and meniscus tears. Whether they be mild or severe, for everyday or athletic wear, expensive or budget-friendly, we have you covered.
Our Top Picks:
Best overall: MyCocoon Hot and Cold Knee Compression Sleeve
A compression sleeve that’s also a hot and cold pack. This is your best bet for reducing inflammation, pain, and boosting your healing process.
Best hinged: Shock Doctor 870 Knee Brace
This open knee cap brace has everything you need to deal with a torn meniscus. From compression to decrease swelling, flexible stabilizers for support, and straps for further customization.
Best value for money: PentagonFit Knee Sleeve
Manage your day-to-day pain and swelling effectively and without a huge financial investment with these sleeves.
Best for post-op: Kefit Hinged Knee Brace
A sturdy hinged brace with a dial that restricts the range of motion. The best budget-friendly option for recovering from severe meniscus tears and/or a torn ACL injuries.
Best for sports: Incrediwear Knee Sleeve
With peer-reviewed research supporting its effectiveness in preventing injuries as well as accelerating recovery, this is surely one of the best knee braces in the market.
Top 10 knee braces for meniscus and ACL injury
1. MyCocoon Hot/Cold Knee Compression Sleeve
360° joint compression combined with cold provides pain relief and reduces swelling. And heat increases blood flow, promoting cell regeneration.
MyCocoon gives these benefits through an insanely comfortable sleeve. You’ll recover from your knee injuries in no time.
Comfort and Stability
These hot and cold compression sleeves have breathable, soft lycra. And the leak-proof hydrogel filling retains temperatures, which is the key to its versatility.
MyCocoons are the best aid you can have for your knee health.
Size options: S, M, L. You can use it on other joints, too.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
Their double-stitched lycra withstands constant use and the hydrogel filling won’t leak. These sleeves were designed to last (way) more than average.
Who this sleeve is for
This works great for boosting the recovery and preventing most knee problems – a torn ACL, meniscus tears, sprains, knee osteoarthritis…
Who this sleeve isn’t for
Not for stabilizing the knee joint in a moderate or severe ACL or meniscus tear.
2. Shock Doctor 870 Knee Brace
This is one of the best rehabilitative braces we’ve seen. The stabilizers remove strain from your meniscus and ACL, while its compression reduces swelling.
It’s breathable and allows a full range of movement as well – perfect for daily wear or sports.
These features make it the best knee brace for meniscus and ACL injuries.
Comfort and Stability
This neoprene knee brace provides stability through compression, stabilizers, and adjustable straps.
Although it runs small at first, the neoprene molds to your skin after a few days. This works for both safety and inflammation management.
Size options: S, M, L, XL, XXL.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
Neoprene is a durable material. Combined with premium stitching, this knee brace will last a long time.
Who this brace is for
For an active recovery from a mild to moderate ACL and meniscus injury. Also, for people with knee pain and instability from knee osteoarthritis.
Who this brace isn’t for
This might not be best for people with a meniscus injury but healthy ligaments. Unloader braces are a better option.
3. PentagonFit Knee Sleeve
PentagonFit is our go-to for high-quality, affordable sleeves. One of our team members recovered from their meniscus tear using one of these.
Comfort and Stability
These sleeves have a moisture-wicking, breathable fabric. They also fit comfortably under clothing.
Their snug fit gives enough compression to reduce swelling and provide a sense of safety to your knee joint. This is key while recovering from common knee injuries.
All this combined with their low-profile design makes them perfect for everyday wear.
Size options: M, L, XL, XXL.
Color options: Black, red, blue.
Durability and Quality
PentagonFit sleeves have a 3D weaving, making them durable and resistant to daily use. Hand-wash them to prolong their life.
Who this sleeve is for
This will be great for reducing pain and swelling from day-to-day activities at an affordable price.
Who this sleeve isn’t for
If you want other features like hinges, open patella design, or straps, this won’t be for you.
4. Kefit Hinged Knee Brace
This hinged knee brace has a dial that restricts mobility. Your doctor may recommend wearing one of these after a severe knee injury or after surgery.
IMPORTANT: A medical professional should adjust the dial. This will guarantee the safety of your meniscus and ligaments.
Comfort and Stability
This knee brace has bilateral hinges that protect the entire knee joint, while the dial controls the amount of knee flexion you’re able to do. This will let meniscus and ACL injuries heal properly.
Size options: One size. Customizable length.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
The frame is resistant and sturdy. It will keep your knee joint in place no matter what.
Who this hinged brace is for
For people with a severe injury, or that require surgery. Wear it under medical supervision.
Who this hinged brace isn’t for
Not for walking or exercising. This brace is designed to restrict motion – it will slide down if you move too much.
5. Incrediwear Knee Sleeve
What we love the most about these sleeves is that they’ve been tested in studies. They can accelerate your recovery by 46% and reduce your risk of lower leg injury by 67%.
Their impressive results, scientists say, are due to its signature fabric.
Comfort and Stability
The sleeve has a semiconductor element – germanium.
When it gets in contact with body heat, it increases blood flow to the area. This can reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and enhance recovery.
They also have a comfortable fit. Wear them for long periods without worrying about welts or chafing.
Size options: M, L, XL, XXL.
Color options: Grey, black.
Durability and Quality
Germanium makes these sleeves way more durable than average.
Who this sleeve is for
For promoting recovery in any knee injury. If you’re an injured athlete, wear it an hour before and after your training for better results.
Who this sleeve isn’t for
It won’t improve stability in the first stages of recovery as it doesn’t have hinges.
6. Shock Doctor Bionic Knee Brace with Compression Sleeve
Prophylactic braces allow mobility and provide support to prevent damage. They’re ideal for contact sports and other disciplines.
This brace fits into that category, and it’s one of the best at it. It gives maximum support for major ligament and meniscus injuries without restricting mobility.
Comfort and Stability
This knee brace has aluminum hinges for lateral support. Each hinge also works as a shock absorber, thus providing further protection.
The brace has a secure fit that doesn’t restrict your range of motion.
It includes a knee sleeve as well. Wear the brace with it for added support, comfort, and recovery. Or without it to increase breathability.
Size options: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL. Right or left knee.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
The frame is particularly sturdy and resistant to use. The velcro tends to wear off over time, though.
Who this knee brace is for
For athletes wanting to go back to the field, or active people.
Who this knee brace isn’t for
It’s excessive for daily use. Not the best option if you’re on a budget.
7. TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
This wraparound brace is another budget-friendly option for mild ACL or meniscus tears. It’s a great option for plus sizes as well.
Comfort and Stability
The neoprene fabric provides a nice compression, which you can adjust further with the three bi-directional straps. Plus, the velcro doesn’t pinch on the backside of the joint.
TechWare Pro knee braces also have side coils for added stability. This is one of the key features to look for in a knee brace for meniscus or ACL tears.
Size options: M, L, XL, 2XL.
Color options: Black
Durability and Quality
The knee brace is well-constructed and has strong stitching. The velcro may wear off over time, though.
Who this knee brace is for
For people in the final stages of recovery, or with a mild meniscus and ACL tear.
Who this knee brace isn’t for
If you prefer knee braces that are easy to put on.
8. McDavid 429X Knee Brace
For people wanting to avoid knee surgery or with chronic instability need a long-term knee brace, this is it.
Comfort and Stability
This brace provides maximum stability through bilateral hinges. They stabilize your joint and protect the damaged area.
The top and bottom straps keep the knee brace in place as long as necessary. And the neoprene fabric is comfortable and molds to your skin after using it for a while.
If that wasn’t enough, it has bound edges so it doesn’t irritate your skin. Its open kneecap design will support your patella as well, reducing symptoms in that area too.
Size options: S, M, L, XL, 2XL.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
This is one of the most durable knee braces we’ve seen. It won’t lose the compressive properties if you machine-wash it.
Who this hinged brace is for
For people wanting to avoid knee surgery or with chronic knee instability.
Who this hinged brace isn’t for
This isn’t a budget-friendly brace.
9. EzyFit Knee Brace Support
This is another wraparound, affordable option. It’s easy to put on and will get you out of trouble while you heal from your ACL or meniscus tears.
Comfort and Stability
The EzyFit has side supports to increase stability. You can add more by adjusting the three alternating velcro straps to your preference.
What we like the most is that it stays in place. The open patella design helps with this, as well as its non-slip silicone strips.
Size options: M, L, XL.
Color options: Black.
Durability and Quality
This knee brace has reinforced double stitching, but the velcro isn’t as durable. It will get the job done, though.
Who this knee brace is for
For mild to moderate support. It fits in most budgets.
Who this knee brace isn’t for
It’s not as durable as other options.
10. Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap
This wraparound brace is another option for enhanced cold therapy.
Comfort and Stability
The brace has 3 pockets to put the included ice packs in – two at the front and one in the back. They work better for cold therapy; not so much for heat.
It’s made of neoprene and has strong velcro straps to keep everything in place. It’s a great knee wrap if you only want to manage your swelling.
Size options: One size. Fits knee circumferences up to 21”
Color options: Grey.
Durability and Quality
The fabric is machine-washable but the ice packs tend to break after a few times. It’s not as durable as MyCocoons but will get the job done.
Who this knee wrap is for
Try this out if you’re only for cold therapy in a static position.
Who this knee wrap isn’t for
It’s for those of you looking for a more affordable sleeve + ice pack solution. If you have the budget for them, though, the MyCocoons feel more comfortable and are more durable.
Factors to consider when choosing the best meniscus and ACL knee braces
Comfort and Stability
Hinged braces in general offer the most stability. But, metal hinges can hurt a little on the sides of the knees. If that happens to you, wear a thin undersleeve to reduce the pressure.
You can use that same trick with immobilizers. These knee braces will be uncomfortable, but you have to wear them during the first stage of recovery. Have patience!
Durability and Quality
Most meniscus and ACL knee braces have some kind of velcro. This lets you adjust the level of compression and prevent slippage, but velcro tends to wear off over time.
If you want to avoid surgery or manage chronic instability from an old meniscus or ACL injury, prioritize high-quality materials.
Value for Money
Honestly, if your knee injury is severe, you’ll probably need more than one knee brace.
We recommend having at least a high-quality sleeve to help you control pain and swelling. There are several budget-friendly options on this list.
NOTE: Budget-friendly isn’t the same as low-quality. We included several affordable but durable options in this list.
Conclusion
The best knee brace for meniscus or ACL tear has to protect your knee while reducing pain and swelling.
Think about your individual needs before buying to find the best brace for you. We hope we pointed you in the right direction.
Get better soon!
