Hyperextension injury happens when you bend your knee too far back. This usually happens during high-impact situations, for example, when a person lands hard after jumping.
Knee hyperextension injuries are painful and debilitating. The damage could even make the knee unstable and put it at risk of dislocation. But, wearing a knee brace helps cut this risk down. Although, with so many to choose from, finding the best knee braces for hyperextension can be hard.
Well, that’s what we’re here for. We’ve tested hundreds of these products and took every feature into consideration. We ran them through our criteria and found the best ones. Check them out!
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
Uniqueness and versatility at the highest level. It’s a combination of an effective knee sleeve and take-with-you-anywhere heat/cold pack.
Best Value for Money: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
At a very affordable price, this does everything a knee sleeve is supposed to do – and it does it all very well.
Best Hinged: Braceability Hyperextension Knee Brace
All the benefits from a neoprene sleeve with the stability and protection from sturdy aluminum hinges. ROM dials for maximum control.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best Knee Braces for Hyperextension in 2025
If you’re ready to shop for the best knee brace for hyperextension, take a look at our list.
Read each of the reviews so you’ll know what features these braces come with.
1. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Unique combination of heat, cold, and compressive therapy
- Lycra’s luxurious comfort
- Double-stitched and leakproof design for added durability
- Great for injury prevention and recovery
- Multiple sizes with each size fitting many other body parts
Cons
- Only one color option
- Slightly above average price
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Sleeve is not your average knee sleeve. It doesn’t just provide the same benefits as traditional braces, it’s also a hot/cold pack. Unique is an understatement if you ask us.
Comfort and Stability
Cocoon is an innovative company that understands the needs of athletes.
They use lycra and hydrogel in their knee sleeves. This not only feels comfortable but also provides heat or cold therapy when needed.
Microwave your cocoon for 10-30 seconds to make it hot or freeze for at least 2 hours and you’ll have a custom ice pack perfect for recovering and preventing injuries!
The braces are very stable too—they stay put without bunching up behind your knees.
Plus, lycra has been known to be luxuriously comfortable while also being pliable enough to provide even compression around your joint.
- Size options: S, M, L. (Choose a size that’s best for your knee but also know that these sleeves will fit other parts of your limbs.)
- Color options: Blue
Durability and Quality
These cocoons are double-stitched and the hydrogels are leak-proof. So, you can trust that these sleeves are durable.
Not only that, lycra is sturdier than even natural rubber.
Who this brace is for
In our opinion, it’s best for highly active individuals. The more active you are, the more stress you put on your knees. The Cocoon’s heat/cold and compressive properties help you manage that stress to prevent or recover from injury.
Who this brace isn’t for
All these cool features come at a slightly steeper-than-average price, so it might not be the best for those of you looking for something cheap.
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Effectively reduces swelling and pain
- Available in 6 different sizes
- Easy to put on
- Comfortable fit
- Made from premium grade latex-free neoprene material
Cons
- Runs a little big
- Can slide down if you machine wash it.
Hyperextension can cause unintentional pain when moving your knees. The cause of this ailment can be as simple as a recent injury, or a lifelong disability.
Save 25% off when you buy 2, 35% off when you buy 4. Worldwide free shipping.
The ArmaJoint Compression Knee Sleeve will help relieve the tension and keep your knee in the correct place. The material is soft and flexible. You will be able to have free range of your knee without hyperextending it. Anyone can put the ArmaJoint knee sleeve on with ease.
Sit down in your comfortable chair and pull it on as you would a sock. The brace is lightweight and compacted. It is also very low profile, allowing you to wear it under your clothes.
Cleaning and maintaining the knee sleeve is simple. You can machine wash or dry, or just wipe down the material. Use a non-abrasive soap and warm water to clean the brace.
Perfect for inflammation, arthritis pain, swelling, tendonitis, sprains, sore muscles, ACL & meniscus injury and post surgery.
3. Braceability Hyperextension Knee Brace
Pros
- Dial to restrict ROM
- Heavy-duty hinges
- Thick straps for added stability
- Compression for swelling management
- Thumb tabs
Cons
- Bulky
- On the expensive side
Your knee is not supposed to bend that way – Braceability knows that and will ensure it won’t happen again.
The key here is in the aluminum hinges. Each one has a strong, reliable dial that restricts your range of motion depending on your needs.
For example, this hinged brace can keep your knee joint immobilized – perfect for the early stages of recovery. And as your treatment progresses, your doctor can adjust it to allow more movement.
The neoprene and straps also help keep swelling at bay. However, it’s a bit bulky – that’s a tradeoff for all the stability it provides.
- Size: S-4XL.
- Material: Neoprene, velcro, aluminum.
- Color options: Black.
4. McDavid Knee Brace
Pros
- Has a wider hinge arm that provides better support and protection
- Affordable price
- Durable and effective
- Ideal for all kinds of knee issues
Cons
- Misleading sizing chart
McDavid is one of the most popular brands of knee braces.
It’s also known for producing the best braces to help you with your knee injuries.
This particular knee brace is known for its effectiveness and quality, which is why it’s one of the best-rated products in the market.
In fact, if you need a hinged knee brace to help deal with your hyperextension injury, then this is the product that we would recommend.
But despite it being popular, you’ll be surprised to hear that this knee brace is very affordable.
Some customers are a bit hesitant about getting this affordable brace, but when they started using it, they’re pleased with the result.
The quality is superb and it’s capable of providing enhanced support to help the injured knee as it recovers.
5. Vive Knee Support Brace
Pros
- Affordable knee brace
- Durable
- Features a strong medical Velcro
- Removable hinge
- Straps can be easily adjusted
Cons
- Can’t work for knees that are small in size
- Aluminum hinges could prick through the stitches of the brace
If you need a knee brace that can offer comfortable support to your injured knee, the Vive Knee Support Brace is probably what you need.
This knee support brace helps to minimize knee inflammation and pain, which is necessary for those who suffer from hyperextension injuries. It can also be worn post-surgery as it retains therapeutic heat that can help to improve blood circulation and encourage healing.
Featuring an open patella design, this knee brace can help minimize pressure on the knee brought about by constant movement. It works by supporting the correct alignment of ACL and MCL, which helps to ease the strain on the patellar region.
Doing so can help improve the patient’s range of motion, allowing him or her to go on with their day to day activities.
Featuring three durable fastening straps, this brace can be easily adjusted to accommodate most knee sizes, up to a circumference of 17.5 inches.
Simply loosen or tighten the straps in order to set it to the level of compression that you need to provide optimal support to your injured knee.
6. TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
Pros
- Available in 4 different sizes
- Fully adjustable
- Comfortable to wear
- Open patella design
- Provides firm support
Cons
- A bit bulky to wear
Featuring an open knee design, the TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support is a great knee brace to wear for those with hyperextension injuries.
It provides maximum compression and support on the knee, while also supporting the surrounding areas in the tendon. This particular knee brace features adjustable bi-directional support that offers maximum compression and support to the injured joint.
Made from breathable neoprene material with moisture-wicking abilities, this knee brace is comfortable enough to wear.
Therefore, you can enjoy a great performance from this brace while receiving the kind of support that your joints need in order to heal from injury.
7. DonJoy Performance Bionic Knee Brace
Pros
- Provides great support and stability to your injured knee
- The strap can be adjusted easily for proper fit
- Strong Velcro
- Made from breathable material that enhances comfort
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Some users complained about the low-quality Velcro
This DonJoy Performance Knee Brace gives you the freedom to move your joint, which is why it’s preferred by athletes who need a reliable knee brace to help with their exercises and practice.
It won’t stop you from doing your daily activities, while helping you to recover from your hyperextension injury.
Featuring an open patella design, your knee will receive proper ventilation, which will help with its quick recovery. This design also prevents skin irritation, which is a common problem for those with closed patella design.
Made from neoprene fabric that’s gentle on the skin, you definitely won’t feel any discomfort when wearing this knee brace.
Perhaps the only thing that might put you off from getting this knee brace is its expensive price.
Nevertheless, this product works great in helping you recover from your injury. Plus, its durable construction makes it really worth it.
8. Hinged Knee Brace
Pros
- Ergonomically designed
- Lots of sizes to choose from
- Offers great stability and support
- Straps perfectly to your knee joint
- Very comfortable to wear
Cons
- A lot of customers ended up ordering the wrong size
This Hinged Knee Brace is truly the best, especially in providing support to your injured knee. It stands out from the rest due to its unique design.
Featuring an innovative airflow-vented technology, wearing this brace is comfortable since the air will freely circulate around your knee.
This feature also helps to prevent the accumulation of moisture, bacteria, and odor, so you’ll feel fresh all day long.
A lot of customers are satisfied with the way the hinges work. The heavy-duty dual hinges won’t impede your movement.
In fact, they’ll allow you to move comfortably, thanks to its 4-way stretch mesh that’s made of Lycra and the pre-curved anatomical design.
What is Knee Hyperextension?
There are many situations where one could end up with a knee hyperextension injury. As mentioned above, this usually happens after a hard landing when jumping.
Sometimes, this can also happen when the knee is hit hard when doing sports or when performing rigorous exercises. When you have a knee hyperextension injury, your knee will be bent out of its normal shape.
It’s common for gymnasts to end up with knee hyperextension injury, especially when performing jumping stunts. But this can also happen to basketball and volleyball players.
This injury could damage your ligaments and cartilage and render your knee unstable. You’ll suffer from extreme pain and your knees will start to swell and develop bruises that could limit your mobility.
Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include physical therapy, surgical repair, and the use of crutches.
How is Hyperextension Diagnosed?
If you end up with a knee hyperextension injury, you need to see a physician for proper diagnosis. You’ll undergo an examination to assess the level of your injury.
When making the diagnosis, the physician will consider the bruising or swelling of the affected area, joint mobility, visible injuries etc. For severe injuries, imaging may be required, especially if the doctor is considering surgery.
The patient might also be asked to undergo X-ray imaging and MRI.
Should You Use Knee Braces?
After an injury, the patient will usually be asked to wear functional knee braces. Sometimes, the doctor will allow the patient to go back to doing his or her usual activity.
The brace can help to minimize the risk of injuring the knees again. These braces are recommended to those who are in the process of recovering and are trying to go back to their normal routine.
You’ll find these knee braces in different sizes. Others come in pre-sized models and are either made from foam or plastic.
Benefits of Knee Braces
The biggest benefit of a functional knee brace is to minimize the occurrence of hyperextension injury.
This is useful for athletes and those who need to perform dangerous stunts involving the knee. Medical experts say that wearing a functional knee brace can help minimize the risk of hyperextension.
The functional knee braces can also provide stability to the knee and minimize the amount of pressure applied to it during exercise.
Some athletes who wear functional knee braces agree that their level of pain has decreased and this has helped boost their confidence and performance.
Do They Come with Any Limitations?
There are also limitations that come with using functional knee braces. For instance, the hard shell of the brace could hurt other players who come into close contact with the player wearing the brace.
And according to some physicians, when athletes are wearing the brace, they will be forced to intensify their energy spending in order to perform well in their game.
Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Knee Braces for Hyperextension
You’ll find different types of knee braces in the market that are suitable for hyperextension injuries.
But how do you choose the best one among them?
Below are some of the factors to consider when shopping for the best knee brace for hyperextension.
Comfort
It’s important that you feel comfortable when wearing braces even for a long time. They shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
Choose a model that comfortably fits your knee and that will provide the amount of support and protection that your knee needs.
Furthermore, go for something that’s made from breathable materials in order to prevent moisture accumulation.
Patella
When it comes to knee braces, you can choose between open and closed patella.
Hinged knee braces that come with open patella design are a great choice because they free you from the kneecap pressure that can cause even more pain.
On the other hand, the closed patella support will apply further pressure on the patella, which isn’t a good idea if you’re suffering from an injured hyperextension.
Wearability
If you need a knee brace that’s easy to wear, choose something that comes with adjustable straps. These braces are easy to wear because they only require wrapping the knee with straps.
Some of the hinged knee braces have sleeves that you can easily attach over your feet and slide into your shins and knees. These braces may be able to provide enough support to your knees.
However, they’re a bit cumbersome to wear because you have to remove your socks and shoes first.
Size
It’s important that you wear a knee brace that’s suitable for the size of your knee. This is to ensure that your knee gets the level of support that it needs.
It also ensures that you’ll feel comfortable wearing the brace even for a longer time.
Depending on the manufacturer, knee braces for hyperextension are available in different sizes. Each brand has its own measuring chart as well, so refer to this chart before you start shopping.
Usually, the manufacturer will provide instructions on how to obtain the proper measurement so make sure you read this carefully.
Price
As with anything else, braces made from good quality materials are usually more expensive. Yet, they’re more stable so investing in them is really worth it.
If you need something that can keep your knees fully protected from further injuries, then it’s worth paying the extra cost that comes with these high-quality braces.
Final Thoughts
Knee hyperextension can really make life a living hell. You may not know when it happens until it does.
But the right knee brace can prevent this from happening. It can protect your knee, promote healing, and make your life much easier in the process.
