What is an Unstable Knee?
An unstable knee is a common condition where the knee joint lacks sufficient stability to function optimally. This can cause the sensation of the knee buckling or giving way, leading to difficulties in walking, running, or performing daily activities.
What are the Symptoms of Knee Instability?
- A sensation of the knee buckling or collapsing
- Knee pain, especially during certain movements
- Swelling and stiffness in the knee
- Difficulty bearing weight on the affected knee
- Clicking or popping in the knee during movement
Prevention of Knee Instability
Regularly performing muscle-strengthening exercises, wearing appropriate footwear that provides good support, and avoiding overexertion by gradually increasing the intensity of physical activities are measures that can help prevent knee instability.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve stability
- Knee Braces: To provide extra support during heavy or prolonged activities
- Medication: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to alleviate symptoms.
- Ligament Reconstruction: Surgery may be necessary to repair torn ligaments in cases of severe instability due to ligament injuries.
- Meniscus Repair: Surgical repair or partial removal of the damaged meniscus.
Which Injuries Are Common with an Unstable Knee?
Ligament Injuries
A ligament injury can lead to an unstable knee because ligaments are the bands that hold the bones in a joint together and provide stability. In the case of the knee, there are four major ligaments:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Prevents the shinbone from sliding too far forward relative to the thighbone.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Prevents the shinbone from sliding too far backward relative to the thighbone.
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Provides stability to the inside of the knee.
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Provides stability to the outside of the knee.
When one or more of these ligaments are damaged, they cannot effectively keep the bones in the correct position. This leads to instability as the knee gains too much freedom of movement in directions that should normally be restricted. This instability can range from mild, such as a feeling of weakness or uncertainty in the knee, to severe, where the knee can actually “give out” or cause the person to stumble or fall. Below are the braces Probrace recommends for an unstable knee.
| Knee Braces for Ligament Injuries | ||
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| The SecuTec® Genu is recommended for ligament injuries because it effectively stabilizes the knee joint and provides support against instabilities often occurring with cruciate and collateral ligament injuries. The lightweight, anatomically shaped aluminum frame fits comfortably and ensures stability without adding extra weight. The hinges help limit lateral and anterior-posterior movements, which is essential for protecting damaged ligaments. The Velcro straps at the front and back ensure a firm fixation and extra support, specifically for anterior or posterior cruciate ligament ruptures, optimally protecting the knee during recovery. | The Össur CTi 3 knee brace is recommended for ligament injuries in the most demanding situations or sports, especially for cruciate ligament ruptures and complex knee injuries. This lightweight and durable brace is designed for both daily use and demanding situations such as wakeboarding, kitesurfing, skiing, and motocross. The anatomical design and slim profile provide effective support without restricting movement. Improved hinges ensure stability, while the included knee pads provide an optimal fit. The brace also offers enhanced ventilation, providing extra comfort during prolonged recovery or intensive activities. |
Meniscus Injuries
Meniscus injuries can lead to an unstable knee because the meniscus can no longer effectively function as a shock absorber, and the pressure distribution over the knee joint is disrupted. This can lead to mechanical instability, such as clicking or locking of the knee, and reduced proprioception, or the ability to feel the position of the knee in space. As a result, the knee feels less stable, especially during twisting movements or sudden changes in direction. Moreover, meniscus injuries can sometimes occur alongside ligament damage, further increasing instability. A good knee brace for meniscus problems ideally contains lateral reinforcements or hinges. The following knee braces are recommended for meniscus injuries:
| Knee Braces for Meniscus Injuries | ||
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| Reh4Mat Knee Brace with Leaf Spring Hinges €104,95 | ||
| The Genutrain S is useful for meniscus injuries because the lateral hinges stabilize the knee and provide support, which is essential during recovery. The adjustable Velcro straps and plastic stays on the sides help keep the knee in a stable position, limiting unwanted movements that could worsen the injury. The visco-elastic pad around the kneecap helps reduce knee pain, which is common with meniscus injuries. The combination of hinges and non-elastic Velcro straps offers extra support, which is important for maintaining stability during the healing process. | The Reh4Mat knee brace with leaf spring hinges is helpful for meniscus injuries because it stabilizes the knee without restricting natural movement. The leaf spring technology with flexible plastic stays allows for full flexion and extension, while preventing lateral movements that could strain the meniscus. This helps prevent further damage and promotes recovery. The cross-over straps at the front stabilize the cruciate ligaments, providing extra support to a vulnerable knee, while the additional straps at the top of the brace provide extra stability for various forms of knee instability. | The Thuasne Genu Ligaflex is effective for meniscus injuries because it stabilizes the knee without restricting movement. The advanced TM5 hinge mimics natural knee movement, helping to support the knee without further straining the meniscus. The brace provides comfortable support through modern knitting techniques, which is essential for recovery. The long variant of the brace distributes extra lateral pressure and offers more stability, which is important to prevent further damage to the meniscus and protect the knee during the healing process. |
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness around the knee can lead to instability because the muscles are not strong enough to support and stabilize the knee joint properly. The muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, help control movements and protect the knee joint from unexpected forces. If these muscles are weak, they cannot effectively stabilize the knee joint, which can lead to a feeling of instability, reduced control, and an increased risk of injuries, such as sprains or tears. Check out the knee braces recommended by Probrace below:
| Knee Braces for Muscle Weakness | ||
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| Thuasne Genu ProMaster Knee Brace With Stays €69,45 |
Medi Genumedi® E⁺motion® Performance Knee Brace Sport €74,95 |
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| The Bauerfeind Genutrain Knee Brace is recommended for muscle weakness because it actively supports and stabilizes the knee, which is crucial when the muscles around the knee do not have enough strength to do this themselves. The anatomically shaped, breathable knit and the visco-elastic ‘omega’ pad provide targeted support to the kneecap and surrounding structures. The pad helps keep the kneecap in place, while the built-in Hoffa pads offer extra stability. Additionally, the brace reduces pain, which is important for facilitating movement and activating the muscles, even with reduced muscle strength. | The Thuasne Genu ProMaster knee brace is recommended for muscle weakness because it offers extra stability without significantly restricting mobility. The flexible stays on both sides of the brace support the knee joint by limiting lateral movements, which is important in muscle weakness when the muscles themselves cannot provide sufficient stability. The brace helps protect the knee joint during daily activities, work, or sports, while allowing the wearer to move freely. This makes the Genu ProMaster a good choice for people with muscle weakness who need extra support without losing their freedom of movement. | The Medi Genumedi® E⁺motion® Performance knee brace is ideal for muscle weakness because it provides optimal support and stability during sports activities. The combination of compression material and ergonomic sports knit ensures the knee is well supported, which is crucial in muscle weakness when the muscles themselves do not have enough strength to provide stability. The sports knit improves stability and promotes blood circulation, which helps activate and strengthen the muscles. Additionally, the comfortable design, with Merino wool and Dry Skin technology, ensures a pleasant wearing comfort and good moisture management, making the brace suitable for various sports, such as running, football, and fitness. |
Bauerfeind GenuTrain A3 Knee Brace Arthritis €87,45
Joint Disorders Joint disorders, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to an unstable knee because the thickness of the cartilage layer can decrease. This creates play on the ligaments and surrounding structures and can cause instability or irritation. As a result of this irritation, pain, swelling, and reduced mobility occur. This can reduce the stability of the knee because the joint moves less smoothly and the muscles around the knee weaken due to inactivity or pain.
The Genutrain A3 knee brace arthritis is recommended for an unstable knee due to joint disorders. In osteoarthritis, pain must be limited, and the knee must be mobilized to prevent the disease from worsening. The GenuTrain® A3 is valuable in this regard, as it provides targeted support and relief.
The train-knit distinguishes itself through medical compression and high breathability. In the knee pit and calf, highly elastic expansion zones provide great freedom of movement and long-lasting wearing comfort. Pressure-sensitive individuals also benefit from a pleasantly soft edge. The silicone points on the inside of the upper brace edge ensure a good grip of the GenuTrain® A3 during daily activities or therapeutic exercises, even with weak connective tissue. The pull-on aids on the side of the knee arthritis brace can be easily grasped and are therefore easy to handle without much strength.
Patellar Instability In patellar instability, there is a displacement or dislocation of the kneecap (patella) from its normal position in the groove of the thighbone (femur). This can occur due to weak or imbalanced muscles around the knee, abnormal bone structure, or an injury. When the patella moves out of position, it can lead to pain, swelling, and a sense of instability, as if the knee is “giving way” or “collapsing” during movements. Patellar instability can also increase the risk of further knee injuries. Below are recommended knee braces for patellar instability:
| Knee Braces for Patellar Instability | ||
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| Bioskin Q-brace Knee Brace €93,95 | ||
| The Genutrain P3 knee brace is ideal for people with problems around the kneecap because it provides both pain relief through correction and stability. The adjustable strap and correction wire keep the kneecap in a centered position, reducing pressure on the joint and preventing further damage. The integrated pads provide targeted compression and improve the stability of the knee joint, which is essential for pain relief and better alignment. Additionally, the brace reduces pain when extending the knee and activates the muscles, helping to strengthen the joint and accelerate the recovery process, allowing people to perform daily and sports activities more comfortably. | The Bio Skin® Q Brace™ is designed to effectively support the kneecap through multidirectional traction. The unique “T” strap prevents dislocation of the kneecap and can be placed in different positions to adjust the direction and force of the traction during movement. The brace provides increasing support when bending the knee and is made of thin, breathable materials for comfortable use, even in warm climates. Moreover, the brace stays in place thanks to additional straps and can be worn on both the left and right. The Q Brace™ is completely free of neoprene and latex. |
What Exercises Are Good for Knee Stability?
Exercises effective for knee stability include squats, lunges, leg presses, hamstring curls, and balance and proprioception exercises such as ankle-to-knee touches and/or using a balance board.
