The amount of pressure, or compression, they provide depends on the type and size of the garment. So what are compression sleeves, and what do they do?Ĭompression garments help push blood toward your heart and prevent blood from “pooling” or collecting in the compressed areas. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes-as sleeves, socks, shorts, and even full-body suits. Most of the sleeves are compression sleeves (or leggings) made of a nylon/spandex blend fabric that fit tightly around the arms or legs. But for many it is worth the expense and effort of obtaining one.Chances are you’ve seen athletes wearing detached sleeves on their arms or legs-or long sleeves under their uniforms in the middle of summer. As with most treatments, a sleeve might not work for you. They are certainly worth trying along with physical therapy and other non-surgical treatments that your doctor might recommend. There is no question that compression knee sleeves help alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis for many who try them. This is more support than most knee pain sufferers need, but if you feel that your knee requires the extra support than this might be worth evaluating. Bauerfeind’s most elaborate knee sleeve is the Genu Train S. We use the more complex braces for people with certain ligament issues or more profound feeling or instability. Sometimes the simplest is the best.Īs I mentioned earlier, there are many different types of knee braces and a compression sleeve is only one type. If you are uncertain, do not start with a model with all the supports. For those of you with pain in the front of your knee, Bauerfeind recommends their P3 model which offers more support around the patella. These sleeves are made of a comfortable mesh, and it is a different material than the knee sleeves made by Tommie Copper. I find that this has a more snug feel to it, but that might not translate into better pain relief.īauerfeind has been producing high quality knee sleeves for a long time. Their basic knee sleeve is the Genu Train sleeve. Tommie Copper also offers a Performance series of sleeves. It is not cumbersome and will fit under most all of your garments. It fits well, silicone helps it stay in place and most people tolerate wearing it for long periods of time. The Recovery Sleeve is as simple as they come. Tommie Copper has different types of compression sleeves. Most of you will feel better, but sometimes the damage to your knee is too severe for anything to work well. Much like Advil vs Aleve, some people might have a good response to one sleeve or the other. The top compression knee sleeves that my patients (and I) have tried include sleeves from Tommie Copper, Bauerfeind, and others. If the sleeve is too tight you will not wear it. That’s not necessary to make them effective at alleviating your pain.
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When considering purchasing a compression sleeve for your knee pain, make sure you pay attention to the sizing. It is not the copper that is providing pain relief! The copper does function as an antibacterial so it will prevent the sleeve from developing a nasty odor. There are many different types of compression knee sleeves.
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Other studies propose the heat from wearing the sleeve is of benefit too. A knee compression sleeve is not a good alternative for instability related to ACL tears, that’s where a functional brace may be needed.
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Simply placing a sleeve on your knee can improve not only your pain but it can improve your sense of stability that many arthritic patients loose. It is thought that knee compression sleeves help alleviate knee pain because of an increase in proprioception. Granted, this does not correct the underlying abnormality, but it helps to feel more comfortable while physical therapy works to correct the problem. Other studies show that patients with patella pain, anterior knee pain syndrome or a runners knee will feel better with a compression sleeve as well. That means that everyday activities become easier and better tolerated when you wear a knee compression sleeve. Along with an improvement in pain, studies show a significant functional improvement. Many scientific studies on the effects on compression knee sleeves show that they improve the pain of arthritis significantly. They do not have any hinges, struts or mechanical support. Knee sleeves are not considered an actual brace. There are many different types of knee braces: Whether you have knee pain due to arthritis, exercise, running or a degenerative meniscus tear, there is evidence to support the fact that you should consider a knee compression sleeve as a means of controlling your pain. Knee compression sleeves have been proven in many studies to be effective in managing knee pain from osteoarthritis.