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Current ESPN analyst and former professional basketball player Jalen Rose was once reported to having said: “there’re only so many jumps in these knees”. Very few statements could be truer in the world of basketball players. Your knees take a great deal of punishment due to the highly explosive nature of the game itself. From jumping for rebounds to bending as you dribble, defend and even pass the ball, your knees are always called into action. Without the right knee braces, injuries become a constant occurrence.
Truth be told, there are very few things you can do to protect yourself against knee injuries. For the most part, some players escape this tragedy by changing their playing style, although frankly speaking, this can only do so much since you still have to use your knees in one way or the other. Other players are spared this agony by enjoying more rest which is also problematic in its own right since every passionate player wants to spend every waking minute on the court balling.
That only leaves us with one real solution. One that, as much as it isn’t foolproof, is a bit more effective in that it lets the player play in their own style and allows them to enjoy as much time on the court as their bodies can take. We are talking about knee braces.
The Benefits of Wearing a Knee Brace for Basketballers
A torn ACL or a torn cartilage are injuries that are all too common for basketballers. In fact, these are injuries that could very well end promising careers. Unfortunately, since the knee is the biggest joint in the body and a part of our skeletal structure that is almost always called into action, it stands a much higher chance of injury that most parts of the body. It is therefore important to put up preventive measures to help protect yourself from knee injuries. Knee braces do that and so much more.
Here are some of the benefits for using a knee brace for a basketballer:
- Injury prevention: Wearing a knee brace or a knee sleeve is a good way to prevent the occurrence of an injury to your knees. This is mostly because the best knee braces provide you with the support your knees need.
- Knee realignment: If you unfortunately suffer a knee injury anyway then wearing the right kind of knee brace can help you heal faster and prevent further damage to the knee. This is because the best knee braces and sleeves realign your knee and take the pressure off the injured area thus relieving you of pain, preventing further inflammation and restoring knee function.
For all intents and purposes, knee bracing is one of the best and least invasive ways to help injured athletes to recover from knee injuries.
Effective Knee Braces for Basketball Players
So, if you are ready to start using knee braces today whether it’s to help you recover from a knee injury or to prevent one, here are some options that you should consider buying:
McDavid 429X Hinged Knee Brace
The McDavid 429X Hinged Knee Brace is one of the best type of gear you can use to provide your knees with the kind of stability and compression that they need. They are particularly useful for basketballers who are just recovering from serious knee injuries such as torn ACLs or MCLs.
This particular knee brace has steel hinges on the sides which go a long way in protecting your knee from excessive lateral movement which helps to keep you from re-injuring your knee when moving about.
Pros:
- It’s easy to put on
- It has hinges that limit your knee extension and provide extra support
- They are rather comfortable
Cons:
- It slightly decreases your mobility
Although your mobility will be slightly decreased, this knee brace goes a long way in helping you recover faster as well as prevent you from re-injuring your knee.
Shock Doctor 875 Ultra Knee Brace
The Shock Doctor 875 Ultra Knee Brace is by far the most advanced installment from this brand. It has bilateral support hinges which, in concert with the tempered aluminum stay provide you with excellent stability, increased performance and protection.
This brace has x-straps in the back that go a very long way in locking your leg in pretty securely. Although they are a little bulky and might need a bit of breaking in, once you get used to playing in them, you will have the kind of support system that your knee needs.
Pros:
- Has x-straps that lock your leg in place
- Bilateral hinges that give you excellent support
- They are quite comfortable
Cons:
- They are a bit bulky and should probably be worn during games as opposed to during warm-ups as well
This is an advanced knee brace that is designed to help keep your injured leg in place with the right kind of support and protection.
Nike Pro Combat Knee Sleeve
As soon as you hear something is produced by Nike you know it’s very likely going to be of excellent quality. The Nike Pro Combat Knee Sleeve, much like everything else Nike does, is wonderfully designed. Made out of 40% nylon and lightweight Ariaprene material, this knee sleeve keeps your muscles rather warm all the while giving your knee the kind of support it needs.
It’s designed with elastic binding which is combined with silicone grip to give you the perfect fit. This knee sleeve is not only abrasion resistant but it’s also beautifully contoured to allow for freedom of movement.
Pros:
- It allows for free movement
- It’s designed to offer your knee excellent support
- It’s made out of breathable material
Cons:
- It’s not a knee brace and can’t be used in place of one
This is perfectly fine for minor knee injuries or for preventive purposes.
One of the best ways to ensure that you enjoy the game of basketball for as long as possible with minimal risk of blowing out your knees is to get the right kind of knee brace or sleeve. This list presents you with some of the best knee braces and sleeve for basketballers in the market today. All you have to do now is take your pick.
