Last year, during an intense game of basketball, I suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to my right knee. This injury is common in sports like basketball where players engage in a lot of cutting. For those who don’t know, the ACL is a ligament that attaches the tibia and femur through the knee. When torn, this ligament requires a long rehabilitation process which often times includes surgery.
After undergoing ACL surgery, my doctor recommended that I use a knee brace soon after the procedure and in the months following. With so many knee braces on the market, I didn’t know where to start. After a lot of research and trial and error, I found some high-quality, highly effective knee braces that I feel significantly reduced my pain and aided in my fast recovery.
So what should you look for in the best knee brace for basketball after ACL surgery? Opt for a functional knee brace that will help protect the healing ligament from any harmful forces that occur in everyday life or sports. Your knee brace should fit snug around the knee while still allowing a full range of motion. As you’ll likely be wearing your knee brace for extended periods of time, you’ll want to make comfort a top priority.
What to Look for in a Knee Brace for Basketball After ACL Surgery
- Size: To maximize the usefulness of a knee brace, it’s important to find the perfect size for your knee circumference. While some braces take the one-size-fits-most approach, others offer a range of sizes to accommodate all users.
- Leverage System: Many modern knee braces feature advanced technology known as the four points of leverage system. This system is specifically designed to provide enhanced stability while decreasing ACL strain by up to 50 percent.
- Range of Motion: While you want your brace to compress and support your knee after ACL surgery, you still want to achieve a good range of motion. Having a flexible brace allows you to remain active without sacrificing your safety.
- Hinge: Another feature to look for is the hinge design. Hinged knee braces provide the user with additional support, stability, and protection from outside forces and further ligament injury.
During Recovery
1. Shock Doctor Ultra Knee Brace with Bilateral Hinges
Soon after surgery, I went on a search to find a support knee brace. I soon found that the best knee brace for basketball after ACL surgery is one that has bilateral hinges like the Shock Doctor Ultra Knee Brace. The brace is available in a selection of sizes so it’s recommended that you properly measure your knee before ordering.
Another thing that I really like about this brace is its N-Tex air flow vented neoprene material. Not only is it moisture wicking which is important when wearing it all day, but it also provides therapeutic warmth for advanced healing. The compression of the brace is just right due to the customizable Velcro straps.
What Users Are Saying:
- Excellent support
- Helps to stabilize my knee without interfering with motion
- Fits and works well
- This brace is very comfortable
- I love wearing this brace when doing sports
- Best knee brace I own
2. McDavid Knee Brace with Dual Disk Hinges
When recovering from ACL surgery, it’s crucial to protect your knee from further injuries which can interfere with the healing process and prolong your pain. After my surgery, I had great success with the McDavid Knee Brace with Dual Disk Hinges. After trying this popular brace, I had significantly less pain and felt that my knee was well supported.
What makes this product the best knee brace for basketball after ACL surgery is its simplistic design. It has no gears and each sidearm is articulated with cushioned hyperextension straps. It also has a lightweight hinge and exterior nylon fabric to create a personalized fit.
What Users Are Saying:
- Excellent support from the moment I put it on
- Takes tremendous pressure off my knee
- Feels better than other knee braces I’ve tried
- Heavy duty brace for bad knees
- Immediately helped with pain and swelling
- Helps to keep the knee well-aligned while healing
After Recovery
3. EzyFit Knee Brace Support
When dealing with an ACL injury, comfort is key. As an individual who is always on-the-go, I needed a knee brace that provided the perfect balance of comfort and support. The EzyFit Knee Brace Support delivered. With dual stabilizers and an open patella design, the brace helped to sufficiently stabilize my knee while allowing full movement.
What I really enjoyed about the EzyFit Knee Brace is how it stays put all day. This is primarily due to the reinforced double stitching and strong Velcro closures that help the brace remain in place even during sports and other activities. I also like that the brace is a blend of neoprene, polyester, and nylon which is easy to wash and keep clean.
What Users Are Saying:
- Best brace yet… by far
- Works on either knee
- Love this knee brace and it works well!
- Well-constructed and stays in place
- One of the best braces I’ve ever bought
- Such a comfortable knee brace
4. Winzone Knee Brace Support
If this is your first run in with an ACL tear, you may not be familiar with the various types of knee braces available. Among the handful of braces I’ve tried, I found the best knee brace for basketball after ACL surgery to be the athletic, non-bulky wraps, such as the Winzone Knee Brace Support.
I like that this brace allows me to continue doing all the physical things that I like to do without pain and instability interfering. This brace is flexible, not stiff like many other braces, is easy to use and stays on tight. I’m able to wear this knee brace for hours and it remains comfortable and my knee is pain-free.
What Users Are Saying:
- I’m so happy to have found this brace!
- Helps with my day-to-day activities
- Perfect fit
- Great brace, comfortable, and helps with my knee pain
- Stays put, even in the pouring rain
- One of my all-time best purchases
5. Pegasus Knee Brace Support
It can be difficult to return to the activities you once enjoyed before an ACL tear. I found the transition to be much easier with the support of the Pegasus Knee Brace Support. With its open patella design and adjustable compression, I was able to achieve a customized fit with minimal bulk and a full range of motion.
What I love about the Pegasus knee brace is its comfort and flexibility. Even after months of use, this brace remained in top-quality condition, and was easy to clean for daily wear. It’s made out of high-grade neoprene material, which helps to minimize moisture while increasing therapeutic heat.
What Users Are Saying:
- One of my favorite purchases!
- Gets the job done
- Comfortable and helps with knee pain
- While wearing this brace, my knee felt very secure
- Does exactly what it is designed to do
- I love the soft material and silicone straps
Suffering an ACL set back does not mean the end of your basketball days, just take a look at the 10 NBA players who bounced back after ACL surgery featured on BleacherReport.com. With the right knee brace for basketball and a solid physical therapy routine, you will be back to shooting hoops sooner that you think.
