If a hinged brace is required, it will mostly allow near full movement at the knee, although many have hyperextension stops to prevent the knee over straightening to protect it from certain injuries. These should not be used in sport and are more for early stage rehabilitation of severe injuries. Simple elastic knee supports offer the lowest level of support. They are often a simple elastic compression sleeve. Although the support level is lowest they are ideal immediately after a joint injury where cold therapy and compression is the priority. You can also choose between open and closed knee supports. Open designs, which don’t cover the kneecap, are more common as they can be more comfortable to wear, but a closed brace offers more support to the kneecap area. How much should I spend on a knee support?

Football requires you to do big movements and you need a knee brace that will be able to keep you very comfortable while playing. So, when choosing the top knee brace for football players, make sure that it also features anti-slip technology. Features Another option may be using a simple knee support which has no metal parts, as they will not noticeably affect your knees range of motion. Which makes them suitable for sports such as football where the knee needs to bend to near its full range. Our Verdict:With a clever design that's both supportive and discreet, the Ultimate Performance Support Straptakes our spot for the best all-round knee support for football. Giving your knees plenty of room to breathe and move freely, this innovative brace provides support for multiple conditions, and never disrupts your stride. Best All-Round Knee Support for Football Winner:Ultimate Performance Wraparound Runner's Knee Support Strap Assuming it's a relatively isolated ACL injury, 95 percent of athletes can return to the same pre-injury level.If you have swelling in your knee, are unable to fully straighten your leg, or find that pain in the area doesn’t go away or even gets worse during exercise, you should definitely consult an expert. Even if your pain is mild and you find that using a support alleviates it, you should avoid using a brace for long periods, because you could be masking a problem in your body that could be fixed through other exercises so that you don’t have to rely on a brace. Another common use for knee braces is to rehabilitate the knee after a serious injury or surgery. If you’re recovering from an ACL injury, for example, then you’ll need a sturdier brace than those who are wearing one in the hope of nursing injuries through activities, because braces for rehab will be designed to limit the knee’s movement to protect it. An alternative to the knee sleeve is to wrap the knee in special tape. The advantage of knee wraps over sleeves is that you can adjust the tightness depending on how stable the knee needs to be. Treat or prevent moderate to severe ACL instabilities, recovery from ACL reconstructions, and hyperextension prevention

Our wide variety of adjustable straps and sleeves can help with otherwise painful movements during rehab. For Knee Stability Many collegiate football teams require their linemen to wear this knee brace because it is so successful at preventing ACL injuriesHinged knee braces offer the highest level of support. They have solid metal supports down the sides which are hinged at the knee joint to allow movement. Whilst they give the greatest support, they are a little more restrictive than stabilised knee supports or simple elastic/neoprene knee sleeves.