How to wear a knee support

We use our knees everyday, whether it be for walking, lifting objects or sitting down, which is why a knee injury can stop us from doing the things we love. Learn all about knee supports and how to use them. 

Elastoplast Knee Supports are designed to provide strength, protection and support to stiff, weak, or injured joints while relieving the pain. They work by providing compression for the joint and the underlying soft tissue, thereby reducing swelling and relieving pain.

Easy to put on, the Elastoplast Knee Supports are also reusable and re-adjustable to suit your personal needs. Overall, Elastoplast Knee Supports can offer support to help relieve the pain associated with sprains and instability, runners knee, meniscus tear, arthritis and ligament damage.

Depending on the level of support needed, you can wear your knee support for longer periods of time. It is not recommended to wear compression knee supports to go to sleep, however it is perfectly safe to wear them for a few hours a day or when exercising. If you are unsure of the level of support you need, contact your doctor.

Follow these simple steps to put on a knee support, and watch the video on the Elastoplast Protective Support for further guidance.

1. With the smooth side of the support facing you, place the support on the knee with the hole placed over your kneecap.
2. Ensuring that your leg is stretched and you are holding the support in place, cross the two top straps behind and above the knee and attach them to the front of the support.
3. Cross the two bottom straps behind your knee and attach them to the front of the support. Adjust the straps in order to increase or decrease the pressure and find what feels comfortable for you.

This depends on the type of trousers. If your trousers are tight then it is recommended to wear your knee support over them, however if they are loose it may be more beneficial to wear the knee support directly over your skin in order to keep it secure and in place.

A knee support can either be a sleeve or a wraparound support, usually made from neoprene or other elastic materials. Both work by compressing the joint and relieving it from excess strain, but do not immobilise it. 

A knee brace, however, is a much more mechanical type of support that usually immobilises the joint or severely limits its movement. Knee braces are usually used by those recovering from a serious injury or operation, to support joint recovery.

Your knee support should feel snug but ensure it’s not uncomfortably tight and blood flow is not restricted. Only use on clean, intact skin.

On the other hand, your knee support should not feel unsecured or slide down your leg, as this will prevent it from supporting the joint and alleviating discomfort.