Meniscus Recovery: Will a Knee Brace Help a Torn Meniscus?

Meniscus tear is common, with 61 out of 100,000 people suffering from this injury. ^[1]The symptoms are:

• A popping sensation
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Pain when twisting or rotating the knee
• Feeling like the knee is “locked”^[2]

How long to recover from a torn meniscus? The duration of recovery is four to eight weeks.^[3] Sometimes it is longer. For better recovery, some people wear knee braces as they offer great support. Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Yes. A knee brace is important to meniscus recovery. This guide will explore knee braces in these aspects:

• Benefits of a knee brace for a torn meniscus
• Duration for using a knee brace
• Knee brace types for torn meniscus
• Best knee braces for meniscus recovery

Knee Braces for Meniscus Damage as a Supportive Measure

How to treat torn meniscus? For a minor injury, you don’t need to worry. The meniscus can heal on its own. However, if you feel pain and the symptoms remain, it requires a medical prognosis.  Surgery may be helpful for treatment in some cases. No matter whether you have minor or severe meniscus injuries, a knee brace is helpful.  Here is how it helps your meniscus damage:

Provide Support and Protection to the Injured Knee

When people suffer from a meniscus tear, any movements become unpredictable and painful. Knee support for meniscus damage is crucial at this time. That’s where knee braces step in. A knee brace offers support for the knee when movement is inevitable.

Alleviate Discomforts Experienced with Meniscal Tears

Knee braces help distribute pressure more evenly across the joint of our knee. This minimizes strain on torn meniscus and nearby tissues.

Prevent Further Damage to the Already Compromised Meniscus

Without proper care, meniscus injury may get worse. Knee braces become vital as they can support and limit the stress on your meniscus. Their help can minimize the damage to the affected meniscus.

So, will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Yes, knee braces speed up recovery.  

How Long Should I Wear a Knee Brace for Torn Meniscus

Knee braces offer good support for a torn meniscus, which is important for fast recovery. Due to this reason, a knee brace is recommended by doctors. Even for patients who have accepted surgery, a knee brace offers help for protection. As to the time for wearing a knee brace for a meniscus injury, four to six weeks is recommended.^[4] However, the exact time should be based on the recovery situation.

How long to recover from a torn meniscus? It depends on these factors:

• Injury severity
• Doctor’s instructions
• Progression of healing

Everyone is different. Our experience with injuries and healing time is different, too. It is advisable to consult the doctor for the duration of wearing braces for torn meniscus. We need to follow their instructions for successful recovery. At first, we may need to wear a brace consistently. Later, we may only need to wear the knee brace during certain activities. We need to gradually reduce brace usage when our knee regains strength and stability. A phased approach is useful here. It’s easy to do. We decrease the number of hours with the brace each day.

Types of knee braces: Which One Fits for My Meniscal Injury

Since people experience different meniscal injury severity, choosing the right knee brace is important. Common types of knee braces for meniscal injury are:

Hinged Knee Braces: For Moderate to Severe Meniscal Tear

This brace has hinges on the sides of our knees. Here are their main features:

• Additional stability
• Greater control over our range of motion
• Preventing bones from moving too much
• Maximum level of knee support and protection

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Hinged knee braces will. They manage pain in knee arthritis, too. ^[5]

Compression Knee Sleeves: For Mild to Moderate Meniscal Injuries

Compression knee sleeves offer great elasticity. Their materials gently compress the knee joint. This boosts our blood flow. As a result, we experience:

• A reduction in swelling
• Reduced inflammation

These sleeves manage mild to moderate meniscal injuries. They provide moderate support. These knee sleeves are also practical for daily activities and light exercise.

Wraparound Knee Braces: For Minor Meniscal Injuries

Wraparound knee braces sport adjustable straps. The goal is to wrap those straps around our knees. With these knee braces, we can customize support and compression. We can put them on and take them off easily. These braces are suitable for intermittent support during certain activities. We can wear these knee braces for minor injuries of the meniscus. They give us support and flexibility.

Best Knee Brace for Torn Meniscus

When choosing a knee brace for a torn meniscus, Fivali is your reliable option. With a decade of experience in offering quality sports braces, we become the first pick for sports enthusiasts, including those with torn meniscus. Here are some knee braces that can support a torn meniscus. 

Fivali Adjustable Hinged Knee Brace 1 Pack FKH03

This adjustable hinged knee brace from Fivali is available in sizes S to 2XL. Not only will a knee brace help a torn meniscus, but it also supports our sports activities. The brace has an adjustable open patella design. It improves knee stability and support. Plus, support hinges are removable.

Benefits of this knee brace include:

• Breathable and lightweight material
• Pain relief for arthritis, meniscus tears, ligament strains, and more
• Better comfort due to the cushioning pad
• Versatile (we can wear it in sports, work, gardening, and rehabilitation exercises)
• No slipping or sliding

Fivali Compression Sports Knee Brace FKR07

This Fivali Compression Sports Knee Brace is made from high-quality, elastic fabric. The comfort and simple design make this knee brace stand out. It has three size options: M, L, and XL. Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Yes, its main benefits are:

• Features a silicone grip – no slipping
• Better support and stability of the patella
• Made from high-density knitted fabric
• Easy to wear under clothes
• Protect and cushion the knee with snugly wrapping

Fivali Adjustable Knee Brace for Pain FKR02

This adjustable knee brace is a high-quality gear for pain. It will help a torn meniscus, and here’s how:

• Reliable stability and support
• Allows for tightening or loosening the guard according to our preferences
• Protection during high-impact activities
• Dual-side support bars and knee pads for optimal compression
• Features a patellar gel pad to alleviate pressure on the joint
• Unrestricted movement
• Better airflow
• No overheating or excessive sweating
• Improved blood circulation

Conclusion

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Of course! It manages our symptoms. Fivali’s knee braces are reliable solutions on the market. We find many people love sports but stop in injury and pain. With proper equipment from Fivali, we can take our athletic activity to a new level. Whether professional athletes or those suffering from joint discomfort, Fivali gets them covered and helps to find suitable sports braces supports. We design fitness and sports products that provide stability, comfort, and protection at the same time. Explore more at our site!

References

• Meniscus Tear: Pathology, Incidence, and Management. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9205760/ (Accessed on April 30, 2024)
• Torn meniscus. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/torn-meniscus/symptoms-causes/syc-20354818 (Accessed on April 30, 2024)
• How Long Does It Take for a Torn Meniscus to Heal Without Surgery? Available at https://www.orthobethesda.com/blog/torn-meniscus-healing-time-without-surgery/ (Accessed on April 30, 2024)
• Treatment of meniscal tears: An evidence based approach. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4095015/ (Accessed on April 30, 2024)
• Hinged Knee Brace. Available at https://www.drugs.com/cg/hinged-knee-brace.html. (Accessed on April 30, 2024)