What is an ACL injury?

An ACL injury is a tear or sprain to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), which is one of the major ligaments in the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured in several ways:

• Changing direction rapidly
• Stopping suddenly
•  Slowing down while running
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle

Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury usually include: 

• A loud “pop” or a “popping” sensation in the knee
• Severe pain and inability to continue activity
• Swelling that begins within a few hours
• Loss of range of motion
• A feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing.

Bracing is one of the treatment methods that doctors recommend for both nonsurgical treatment and post-surgical treatment of an ACL injury. Knee braces made specifically to enhance healing or reduce the risk of re-injury of an ACL injury are much better options that off the shelve knee braces that you see in stores.

Benefits Of Using An ACL Knee Brace

Knees usually get injured when they move in an unusual way. Twisting the knee or bending it too sharply in medial or lateral directions can tear the ligaments that hold the knee in place. Limiting the range of motion of your knee will generally help prevent the overstretching or twisting of the knee. ACL knee braces provide support and stability to the knee preventing any such movement. This reduces the risk of reoccurrence of the ACL injury and also any damage to other knee ligaments like the PCL and MCL. A knee brace is also reported by a large number of users to aid in pain relief. With a plethora of options to choose from, here are our picks for the best ACL knee braces o the market today:

Best ACL Knee Braces Of 2020

DonJoy Performance Bionic Fullstop ACL Knee Brace

The Bionic Fullstop provides the ultimate in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) protection during recovery from injury, as well as prevention of future injury. Fullstop dampening hinges prevent hyper-extension and help improve joint mechanics in both surgical and non-surgical knees. Through the dampening cycle of the hinge, muscle memory trains your body to keep both the braced and unbraced knees out of the “at risk” zone.

Features:

•  Hinge Technology and Four-point Leverage System to prevent hyper-extension
• Anti-migration technology to prevent sleeve movement
•  Reflectivity for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions
• Compression and thermal heat regulation
• Adjustable straps for a more secure, personal fit
• Combination of neoprene and breathable mesh maximize comfort through temperature regulation
• Easy on/off with easy-grip pull tabs

Braceit K2 ComfortLine Knee Brace

It is an FDA registered knee brace that is universal and a single one can be used on both legs. The K2 ComfortLine is a light weight everyday use high-performance knee brace. It is a truly custom-made knee brace manufactured as per the user’s measurements. It is great for ACL healing and prevention of any future ACL injury as well as for prevention of the knee joint from degeneration.

Features:

• A perfect off-loader knee brace since high strength stainless steel polycentric hinges transfer the maximum body weight from thigh to calf without exerting pressure on the knee joint.
• Silicon coated neoprene frame liners and foam strap pads provide the best grip and promote brace suspension.
• Advanced flexible plastic thigh and calf frame conforms to body anatomy and provides the best grip.
• Air condyles on both brace joints provide relief to the sensitive knee joint and ligaments. It maximizes comfort & minimizes brace migration. The brace construction is low profile and lightweight, which makes it extremely easy to use with daily activities.

DonJoy Legend SE-4 Knee Support Brace

The brace is designed with a patented 4-point leverage system that has been clinically proven to increase stability in the knee ligaments, particularly the ACL, during both weight bearing and non-weight bearing activity. It works by strategically placing cuffs and straps in four positions on the front and back of the thigh and calf. They direct stress on the knee backward onto the tibia, effectively reducing strain on the knee. The brace is also available for the left or right leg.

It is approved for use in both salt and fresh water, making it a good choice for water-skiing and other water sports.

Features:

• Intended for moderate to severe ACL, and/or CI (Combined Instability), PCL, MCL, LCL instabilities
• Features a low-profile and is recommended for use in all contact sports and activities
• Constructed from strong, aircraft grade aluminum and coated with Kraton, a substance that does not chip, rust, or corrodes
• Designed with a patented 4-point dynamic leverage system technology that helps prevent knee subluxations
• Universal design allows the DonJoy Legend SE-4 Knee Support Brace to be used by both men and women

Shock Doctor Bio-Logix Knee Brace

Designed with a semi-rigid, lightweight exoskeleton and a compression sleeve for extra support, the Shock Doctor Bio-Logix Knee Brace offers custom comfort and a full range of motion. It is tailor made to be perfect for athletes with Shock Doctor focusing on protection and performance. The maximum support helps prevent and heal ACL injuries, as well as other ligament damage, medial/lateral instability, and hyper-extension.

Features:

• Advanced hinged-flex/stability/support
• Superior stability and support for major sprains/strains/instabilities during active recovery
• Soft tissue support, joint alignment, therapeutic warmth/blood flow
• Proprioception: Bio-neurological awareness of stress—added support informs muscle to contract to protect itself

DonJoy Playmaker II Knee Brace

The Donjoy Playmaker II is a little longer than the standard knee supports on the market, with its long geared hinges running down the inside and outside of the knee. The main added benefit of the length of these hinges is the level of offloading support they offer. As the hinges are geared, they are also connected with each other, meaning the weight and pressure that travels through the leg, gets taken on by the hinges, and leaves the knee relieved. As the Donjoy Playmaker II Knee Brace is marginally longer than other braces, it has a slightly tapered thigh, which means the top of the product is a bit wider than the rest of the brace, opening up for your thigh for a supportive but comfortable fit. Due to the design of the Donjoy Playmaker II’s hinges, they do not allow for the knee to go over on itself, collapse, or even twist, so all of the dangerous unnatural movement is stopped, and the regular range of movement is not restricted. It is therefore ideal for those affected by an ACL injury, or other knee ligaments damage.

Features:

• Immeasurable Comfort – Hi10(TM) (high tenacity nylon/spandex fabric) offers unmatched comfort and fit.
•  ROM Excellence – DonJoy’s proven DIII hinge brings a custom design to manage ROM options.
• Trusted Brand – As the market leader for over 30 years, Playmaker II is yet another installment of a proven and trusted brand.
•  “Cooler” Experience – Advanced spacer fabric promotes a “cool” environment for activities on all levels.
• Just Plain “Easy” – Molded strap tabs allow quick and easy strap adjustments to deliver a secure and comfortable fit

Conclusion

ACL injuries are nasty setbacks that can make your life terrible. Dealing with the pain and reduced mobility will definitely be made easier by wearing an ACL knee brace. With a brace, your journey to getting healthy again with a fully functional knee just got a lot easier.