You might have seen people wearing knee caps while walking, running or playing a sport. Do you know why knee caps have become so popular in the recent past? Part of it is thanks to the vast improvement in the quality of knee braces available in the market. And another prominent reason is that modern-day knee caps do what they are expected to do – effectively.
In this buying guide, we touch upon the key FAQs about knee caps, discuss knee injuries, explain the knee rehabilitation process and provide a list of some of the best knee caps that you can buy online at Seniority.
What is a knee cap?
As the term suggests, a knee cap is a knee support and rehabilitation product that is designed to be worn over the knee area. Knee caps are available in various designs, styles and makes. They are also referred to as knee sleeves or knee braces.
What are the uses and benefits of a knee cap?
Here is some more information about what a knee cap does. By definition, knee caps are supposed to provide support to the knee region by applying a certain amount of compression and pressure on it. A knee cap can be used by:
- Individuals with knee pain
- People who have undergone a knee surgery
- People suffering from chronic knee problems like arthritis or osteoarthritis
- Individuals who have had an accident and injured the knee
- Overweight individuals
- Senior citizens who need additional support
The benefits of knee caps are multifarious in nature, including:
- Providing support to the knee region
- Providing compression to relieve knee pain
- Improving blood circulation in the knee area
- Protecting the knee from the risk of further damage
- Limiting the movement of the patella
- Increasing proprioception
- Providing warmth to the knee region
- Stabilizing the knee
When to use a knee cap?
While it is okay to wear a knee sleeve at any time since the material is usually skin-friendly, it is best used when you know the knee would be put under pressure. Individuals can consult a physician about the usage of a knee cap, but here are a few common scenarios where wearing knee caps can be effective:
- While lifting heavy objects
- While walking or running
- While doing explosive exercises such as squats, weight-lifting, burpees, etc.
- While playing a sport
- While riding a two-wheeled vehicle
Top causes of knee pain
Age is the prime factor when it comes to knee problems. It is common knowledge that the human body goes through certain phases as it ages. The more wear and tear it undergoes, the weaker it becomes.
Here is a list of some common reasons for knee pain amongst people (irrespective of age):
Obesity: While India is nowhere close to the United States in terms of the percentage of the population that suffers from obesity, it still is a grave concern. The science and logic is pretty simple - the more your weight, the more the pressure on your knee joints.
Sports: Athletes and sportspersons are prone to knee injuries since high-intensity physical sports result in considerable damage to the knee. The pressure that is put on the joints is very high, whether in training or during a game.
Injuries: Repetitive stress injuries due to walking, squatting, kneeling or lifting considerably heavy weights can cause knee pain or aggravate existing knee problems.
Osteoarthritis: This is a common issue for senior citizens and can result in serious knee damage. Osteoarthritis is also one of the top five causes of disability amongst the elderly.
Gender: Research proves that women over 50 years of age are prone to knee problems. Acute or chronic knee pain is common amongst elderly women.
Accidents: We all know that accidents cannot be predicted. Unwanted events like falling or crashing may lead to knee injuries.
How to manage knee pain
Knee problems can be quite troublesome to deal with, especially since they restrict your movements and cause a lot of pain. The first and foremost thing to do when you experience knee pain is to protect it. Preventing further damage is the primary step to controlling knee pain.
- Rest is an important part of the recovery or knee pain management process. It is essential that you give your damaged knee enough time to heal on its own, without putting unnecessary pressure on it.
- Ice therapy works like magic in case of swelling, pain, stiffness or inflammation of the knee. This method of cold compression helps lessen the swelling and also eases the pain to a certain degree.
- Compression applied by the means of wearing knee caps, knee braces or splints can help recuperate and rehabilitate an injured knee.
- Elevation, too, assists in reducing swelling and enhancing the circulation of blood in the knee area.
Top knee support products for knee pain
Here is a selection of some of the best knee caps for effective relief from knee pain and rehabilitation.
Knee Cap Patella Hole - Vissco
Vissco brings to you this kneecap with patella hole that is designed to provide compression and warmth to the knee joint. It increases blood flow to the soft tissues around the knee and reduces pain, encouraging healing while providing patella stability. It is ideal for people suffering from patellofemoral dysfunction, muscle wear and tear or inflammatory conditions. It is made with a blend of cotton yarns, making it skin friendly, breathable and light weight. The kneecap consists of blended yarns and cotton which makes the product skin friendly. The fabric releases sweat and permits airflow, while its ergonomic design ensures a two way stretch.
Key highlights:
- Stretchable fabric
- Improved comfort
- Effective compression
- Provides knee support
Designed to offer an ergonomic fit and controlled compression to your knee, this Vissco product is made from skin-friendly material (breathable cotton elastic). This fabric-based knee cap aids in improving the function of the knee and dealing with knee pain. The product provides ideal support against the lateral movement of the knee and helps recover from injuries, aches or swelling.
Key highlights:
- Retains body heat
- Stabilizes and protects the knee joint
- Skin-friendly elastic cotton material
- Reduces discomfort and alleviates pain
Hinged kneecap by Vissco made using skin-friendly material is designed to support and stabilise the knee. It helps you recover quickly from osteoarthritis, cartilage damage and overworked knee joint. It provides compression and warmth to the knee and improves blood circulation to soft tissue areas surrounding the joint. It has hook and loop straps above the below the knee to allow optimal support. The side supports are moulded in fibre which makes the product light weight. It has cotton knitted fabric that permits airflow and its ergonomic design ensures two-way stretch.
- Anatomical design
- Relieves pressure on the patella
- Protects the knee from hyperextension
- Mediolateral hinges support the knee joint
Pro Ribbed Patella Knee Cap - Vissco
This Pro Ribbed Patella Kneecap is designed to provide support and stabilisation too the knee. It is made of skin-friendly, breathable material that allows air circulation and makes it easier for you to wear it for longer durations.
- Supports and stabilizes the knee
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Retains heat for faster healing
- Helps provide support during intensive workouts
Open Patella Knee Cap - Flamingo
This Knee Cap Open Patella by Flamingo is a compression tubular support used to provide firm compression warmth and support to the limbs and joints or to allay pain and inflammation, generally associated with old age, arthritis, sports injury etc.
- Provides firm compression and support
- Comes with special interlocking weave and single spiral elastic yarn
- Four-way stretch ability gives good grip and compression
- Relieves patellar pressure
How to choose the right knee cap?
If your knee pain persists for over two days, it is best to consult a doctor. While the products mentioned above and other similar knee caps and braces available online at Seniority offer varying degrees of support and are completely safe for use, it is recommended that you ask your physician about which knee cap is ideal for your knee problem. Broadly speaking, there are a few common things that you should look for when selecting a knee cap:
- Size and fit
- Material and comfort
- Additional features like Velcro straps or gel pads
- Ease of use (wearing / removing)
Also, avoid buying a knee cap made by a brand that is not known. Companies like Tynor, Vissco, Samson, Flamingo and Medtrix are some of the best-known brands in the ortho support products market. Make sure you read about the product in detail before making a buying decision.
We hope this guide was helpful in terms of answering pertinent questions about knee caps and their usage.
At Seniority, we offer a range of high-quality knee caps for knee rehabilitation, support, running, workout and addressing knee pain, arthritis or injuries.Browse through a wide selection of knee support products online.
