The statistics show that about 61 of 100,000 people experience an acute tear of the meniscus. (1)
Medial meniscus refers to that semi-circular band lying by the knee joint, between the medial condyle of the femur and the tibia. An injury to this area of the body is normally caused by knee being bent and forcefully twisted, while the leg is in a weight bearing position.
Wearing a knee brace can help manage the pain and make the patient recover faster.
In this article, we are going to go into detail about what is the best medial meniscus knee brace and how to prevent further injury.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
The most versatile and unique knee sleeve we’ve ever tested. Useful for all stages of your recovery.
Best Budget: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
This sleeve is ideal for people with minor knee joint injuries wanting to boost recovery without much effort.
Best For Sport: Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Excellent support and protection to return to sports without risking reinjury.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best Knee Brace for Torn Medial Meniscus (Our Top 7)
To make it easier for you to search for the best knee brace for torn medial meniscus, we’ve narrowed down a list of the best ones on the market.
Read on for reviews of each product so you’ll know what will work best for you.
1. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Unique heat and cold therapy
- Lycra and hydrogel for superior comfort
- Double-stitched for added durability
- Can be used for other body parts
Cons
- A little pricey
- One color only
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro is the most unique knee support we’ve ever tested. Not to mention its incredible versatility.
It provides all the benefits of a traditional sleeve. But, it also doubles as an adjustable hot/cold compression tool.
Comfort and Stability
Cocoon’s knee sleeves are so great because they use lycra and hydrogel. The combination helps to make it one of the best braces around, as few others can offer that same quality.
That said, the hydrogel provides the hot and cold therapeutic benefits of the cocoon.
You can microwave the sleeves for 10-30 seconds. Or, you can freeze them for at least 2 hours. In certain parts of your recovery, you will need both.
It’s also heavier than most knee sleeves. The extra weight adds a bit more therapeutic compression. Despite their weight, though, Cocoons stay well in place and don’t bunch up behind your knee.
Overall, everything about these sleeves screams recovery.
Size options: S, M, L. (These sizes will fit other joints; not just your knee EG ankle)
Color options: Blue
Durability and Quality
The cocoons are double-stitched for durability and the hydrogels in it won’t leak. Not only that, lycra has a reputation for being more sturdy than even natural rubber.
Who this brace is for
This brace is for those of you who are looking for a knee sleeve that you can use during all parts of your recovery.
Who this brace isn’t for
This brace probably isn’t your best choice if you are looking to wear it during sport. It’s more of a recovery brace.
For the record, Cocoons do offer a bit of support but for sprains, a knee brace with hinges would likely be better.
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Breathable and thin.
- Boost healing via compression.
- Freedom of movement.
- Stays in place.
- Neoprene-free.
Cons
- Only 2 colors.
- No additional protection.
This sleeve will promote recovery in minor injuries.
See, its compression promotes blood flow. This means more nutrients for your meniscus to help it heal.
It’s also thin enough to fit comfortably under pants. You’ll be able to do your activities while we take care of your knee.
Yet, it’s true that it’s not suitable for people with instability due to their torn meniscus. But the next brace on the list is.
Material: 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
Size: S-XL.
Color options: Black, green.
3. Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Pros
- Offers compression like a sleeve.
- Side stays for lateral protection.
- Patella buttress for kneecap stability.
- Velcro straps for customization.
- Neoprene and latex-free.
Cons
- Bulky.
- Can pinch a little behind the knee.
This one is a hybrid between a sleeve, a hinged brace, and a patella stabilizer.
The sleeve will boost blood flow, enhancing your recovery. Meanwhile, the side stays give extra stability to reduce the load on your torn meniscus. The patella stabilizer is the cherry on top, to keep your kneecap in place.
Every part of your joint will be protected in different ways. It also has straps you can use to customize the compression.
One drawback is that it can pinch on the back of the joint if you don’t put it right. So, take some time to adjust it so this doesn’t happen.
Material: Neoprene alternative, velcro, aluminum spiral stays.
Size: S-4XL.
Color options: Black.
4. SENTEQ SQ1-L008 Medical Grade Knee Brace
Pros
- Can help people with meniscus tears
- Silicone padding
- Comes in two sizes
- Made of neoprene
- Easy to use
Cons
- Doesn’t stay in place
The maker behind SENTEQ SQ1-L008 Knee Brace claims to have the best knee brace in the market, especially when it comes to assisting patients in recovering from torn medial meniscus and other knee-related conditions.
This knee brace features silicon padding that can compress and suppress the injury on the knee resulting in faster healing.
The SENTEQ knee brace is FDA-approved and is therefore safe for use. The brace itself is made of neoprene which helps adjust body temperature as well.
This flexible knee brace has been receiving lots of praise from customers online since they find it to be effective at minimizing the pain and swelling on their knee joints.
5. DonJoy PlayMaker II Knee Brace
Pros
- Available in 5 different sizes and 2 styles
- Can work for those with mild arthritis
- Tight fit
- Open patella design
- Enter your text here…
Cons
- Velcro breaks easily
Next on the list is the DonJoy PlayMaker II, which has been proven and tested for being effective at treating meniscus tears.
Offering a good amount of compression to the injured knee, this brace is truly exceptional, especially in supporting knee sprains, meniscus tears, and hyperextension injuries.
Aside from the fact that this knee brace is available in 5 different sizes, the brace also comes in two styles – with patella donut and without
Made of spacer material that’s more breathable than neoprene, it can help to provide warmth on the knee tissues and helps the knee heal fast with great comfort.
This brace can help lower the amount of pressure applied to the kneecap, resulting in a more comfortable feeling even when worn for a long time.
6. Shock Doctor 870 Knee Brace
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Effective in joint pain
- Moisture-wicking compression
- Unique pre-curved anatomical design
Cons
- Some customers complained that the sizing is small
Another knee brace that we’d strongly recommend for those with meniscus tears is this Shock Doctor Knee Stabilizer.
What makes this product stand out from the rest is its unique design, which comes in the form of pre-curved anatomical design. Such design offers consistent compression and comfortable fit to the wearer.
This knee brace is equipped with a padded buttress for the patella, which stabilizes the kneecap and protects it from further injuries. Remember that comfort is necessary during your recovery.
When it comes to this, the Shock Doctor Knee Stabilizer won’t disappoint. Its back is equipped with a 4-way stretch mesh made of Lycra that provides better breathability and comfort.
7. EXOUS Knee Brace
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Features a 4-way compression system
- Helps to relieve pain and swelling
- Offers improved mobility
- Stays in place no matter how much you move
Cons
- Customers complained that this product doesn’t offer good value for the money
The EXOUS knee brace is another great product to try when recovering from knee injuries, such as the torn medial meniscus.
When recovering from an injury, one thing you need to avoid is wearing something heavy and bulky. Indeed, this knee brace is lightweight and dependable. More importantly, it provides stabilization to your knee while you walk or run.
This knee brace is flexible and non-slip, so regardless of how fast you run or walk, it won’t slide down. It has Velcro straps that can be attached anywhere in the brace, which makes it versatile.
Is Torn Medial Meniscus Painful?
A tear in the medial meniscus can cause a lot of pain. Usually, the pain will come from the knee joint’s inner region.
Sometimes, the pain is located behind the knee and is felt whenever the person attempts to squat. Although it’s rare for the meniscus to get a tear at the front, this could cause problems when climbing the stairs.
Chronic tear on the meniscus won’t show any symptoms, but when it does, the patient will only notice them when the underlying tear develops more tears.
This could trigger pain in the joint line when doing squats or performing other activities that involve the knee, such as kicking and twisting.
Different Types of Knee Braces
Remember that different types of knee braces have different features.
Therefore, when looking for the best knee brace for torn medial meniscus, you need to choose something that comes with features that are suitable for torn medial meniscus.
It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor before buying one.
Here are the different types of knee braces for knee injuries.
Rehabilitative Braces
If you encounter an injury on your knee and you’re in the recovering stage, then this is the type of knee brace that can work for you.
These braces will hold the knee joints in order to minimize movement. Doing so can help the ligaments heal faster and easier.
Medical experts usually recommend patients to wear the rehabilitative braces for 2-8 weeks.
Prophylactic Braces
Players of contact sports like soccer and football can benefit from the use of prophylactic braces.
These braces help prevent any serious injuries on the knee when playing these sports and are made with bars, hinges, and straps. They are usually bulky and sturdy.
It’s common to see athletes wearing this particular type of knee brace.
Unloader Braces
People who have problems in their inner knee joint, including those that aren’t related to sports, can benefit from the unloader braces.
These are the braces that are recommended for people suffering from arthritis.
Functional Braces
Just like rehabilitative braces, those who are recovering from an injury can also use the functional braces.
But the difference is that these braces won’t limit any movement, which is why they’re a better option. With these braces, the patient can still perform the natural movement on the knee while the joints are compressed.
This is a great option for patients with unsteady knees.
Things to Look for in the Best Knee Brace for Torn Medial Meniscus
You’ll find a wide range of knee braces online and choosing the right one can be a challenge if you don’t know how to get started.
To guide you in the process, here are some of the most important factors to consider when buying a knee brace to help with your torn medial meniscus.
Injury Type
The type of knee injury that you have is a crucial factor in determining the right type of knee brace to buy.
As mentioned above, you’ll find different types of knee braces for knee injuries, such as rehabilitative, functional, prophylactic, and unloader.
But which of these braces should you choose?
The type of brace that you choose will depend on your situation.
Are you in the process of recovering from a severe tear on the meniscus?
Did your doctor allow or prohibit you from moving your knee? Do you need a brace that can support your knee until it’s ready for surgery?
Addressing these questions should help you determine the type of knee brace to go for.
Design
While convenience and design may not be important factors for some people, they’re worth considering, especially since you’ll be wearing the brace for a long period of time.
You definitely don’t want something with a design that’s difficult or inconvenient for you to wear. Some braces have a complicated fastening system that could take a while to wear.
If you don’t want to go through a lot of hassles in putting the brace on, then avoid this design.
Support
Since your knee is injured, you should look for a knee brace that’s capable of providing the level of support your knee needs.
Whether you’re using it for your torn medial meniscus or for other purposes, you should choose a brace that can offer the best level of support, and help you recover from your condition.
Size
You should choose a knee brace that will fit you well. Otherwise, you’ll find it uncomfortable to wear, which won’t help with your recovery.
The brace should be tight enough to be able to hold the ligaments in place. However, avoid a brace that’s too tight or you might find it difficult to bend your knee.
Instead, look for a brace that’s perfectly snug. Better yet, choose the one that comes with adjustable straps that attach to Velcro.
Appearance
If you want to conceal the brace, then you should choose a model that’s not bulky. This way you can easily hide it under your clothes.
This may not be an important factor for others, but it’s definitely worth considering.
Price
Just like with buying anything else, you need to have a budget in mind before you start shopping for a knee brace.
You don’t really need to spend a lot of money on buying a knee brace. If you have a limited budget, you can settle with compression sleeves, as these are the cheapest. In fact, you can get them at your local pharmacy for only $10-$20.
Prepare to spend more if you need something that can provide more support. Remember that the more structure and padding the braces have, the more expensive they’ll be.
The most expensive knee braces are hinged knee braces, which could cost as much as $200.
Yet, these braces are capable of providing the maximum level of support.
Conclusion
We hope this list of the 7 best braces for a torn medial meniscus helped you. If none of our picks fit your needs, make sure to take the buyer’s guide with you while you do your research!
Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/torn_meniscus/article.htm
