Not always. Whether a brace helps depends on which ligament is injured, how stable your knee is, whether you have had surgery and what you want to return to. A brace can add protection and confidence, but it supports rehabilitation and does not replace it.
The decision should be made with the health professionals managing your knee: your surgeon or doctor, and your physiotherapist.
When a brace is commonly used
- After some ligament injuries, such as an MCL sprain, to protect the knee while it heals
- After ACL surgery, if your surgeon’s protocol calls for one
- When returning to sport after an ACL injury, for added protection and confidence, especially for young athletes at higher risk of re-injury
- When living with an ACL-deficient knee that gives way during activity
Custom or off-the-shelf?
Off-the-shelf braces come in standard sizes and suit many short-term needs. Custom braces are made to your leg’s measurements, which matters for fit during sport and for longer-term use. We provide custom knee braces, including for ACL injuries and for knee osteoarthritis.
What a brace does not do
- It does not rebuild strength, balance or landing control. Rehab does that.
- It does not make an unready knee safe for cutting and pivoting sports
- It is not a reason to skip return-to-sport testing
For timelines, read how long is ACL rehab, and when can I return to sport?
Get assessed promptly if
You felt a pop with rapid swelling, your knee gives way, locks or cannot fully straighten, or you cannot bear weight. See a doctor or go to emergency if the leg looks deformed, or your calf becomes hot, swollen and painful.
Coverage
Many benefit plans cover custom knee braces with a prescription. Check your plan’s rules before ordering. More detail is on the custom orthotics and bracing page, and rehab is covered on our physiotherapy page.
Want to know whether a brace makes sense for your knee?