Preventing injuries is an important way to remain pain-free when staying active. Racing accomplishes this by stabilizing joints, improving alignment and reducing strain to give you peace of mind while you move. Many people think that braces are a medical item that is used only after you’ve been injured, but they’re also key for preventing injuries before they happen. Whether the braces are used for joints like your knees or your ankles, they can provide extra support so that you can move with more confidence while doing activities you love, such as walking or getting back into a favourite sport or workout.
So, How Do Braces Help?
Braces support the joint externally by:
- Limiting movements that could be aggravating
- Providing compression and stability
- Improving your joint alignment
- Reducing pressure on sore areas
- Boosting your body’s awareness of joint position (also called proprioception)
Using a brace on a joint that’s weak, overused, or unstable can lower the risk of new injuries and help prevent flare-ups of ongoing issues.
Knee Bracing
The knee plays an important role in supporting your body weight but is often vulnerable to injury during repetitive movement or because of aging and overuse. Braces can provide extra support and stability to help protect you from several common injuries, including:
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tears
- What causes it: Sudden stops, pivots, or direction changes
- Who’s at risk: Individuals with weak thigh muscles, or those who play sports like soccer and basketball
- How do braces help: By keeping your kneecap in place and limiting abrupt movements
Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
- What causes it: Poor joint position of the patella
- Who’s at risk: Individuals with muscle imbalances, overuse from running and jumping activities without proper warm up
- How do braces help: Stabilizes the patella, and reduces friction/ movement
Meniscus Tears
- What causes it: Twisting on a bent knee
- Who’s at risk: Individuals who play sports with sudden twisting movements, like tennis or football
- How do braces help: By limiting rotation and stabilizing the joint
Ankle Bracing
The ankle is especially prone to sprains and instability, particularly in active individuals and athletes. Some common ankle injuries that braces can help prevent include:
Lateral Ankle Sprains
- What causes it: Rolling the ankle outward
- Who’s at risk: Individuals that hike or walk on uneven terrain; athletes in sports that involve jumping, such as volleyball or basketball
- How do braces help: Semi-rigid or lace-up braces reduce ankle inversion (rolling) and help to improve control
Chronic Ankle Instability
- What causes it: Weak muscles around the ankle
- Who’s at risk: Individuals with poor balance and those who’ve had previous ankle injuries
- How do braces help: It gives your ankle extra support and helps you stay more aware of it’s position
Achilles Tendon Strain
- What causes it: Sudden movements such as jumping or sprinting, or too much activity too quickly
- Who’s at risk: Individuals with tight and/or weak calf muscles
- How do braces help: Take the pressure off the ankle tendons and speed recovery through better circulation and repetitive massage
Does Bracing Really Help Prevent Injuries?
In many cases, yes! While a brace isn’t a magic solution, research shows that bracing can reduce the risk of re-injury, especially in individuals returning to sport or physical activity after previous trauma. The benefits of preventative bracing include:
- Lower injury rates in at-risk individuals
- Enhanced joint stability during unpredictable movements
- Support for weaker joints or overly flexible ligaments
- Increased confidence to stay active safely
However, bracing is most effective when paired with proper footwear, muscle strengthening, stretching and joint alignment strategies.
Why See a Canadian Certified Pedorthist?
Choosing the right brace isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why consulting a Canadian Certified Pedorthist is a smart step in protecting your joints. A Pedorthist can:
- Assess your movement, joint mechanics, and risk factors
- Recommend the most appropriate brace for your needs and activity level
- Ensure proper fit and comfort
- Work with you to combine bracing with other injury prevention tools (like custom orthotics or footwear)
Bracing isn’t just for recovery; it’s a proactive way to protect your knees, ankles, and overall mobility. If you’ve had a previous injury, play high-risk sports, or want extra support while staying active, the right brace can help keep you moving safely. Talk to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist to make sure you’re bracing the right way, for the right reason.
