The 7 Best Knee Braces for Meniscus Tears in 2023

Your meniscus is a thick piece of cartilage that sits between the two bones in your knee (your femur and your tibia).

Tears to the meniscus are one of the most common causes of knee pain in runners, usually caused by rotating or twisting the knee when suddenly changing direction.

A torn meniscus can cause pain and swelling. It can also compromise the stability of your knee.

Choosing good knee braces for meniscus tears can help set you on the road to recovery, offering the support you need while limiting movement and allowing your meniscus to rest.

But there are quite a few different types to choose from, making it tough to decide which will be the most appropriate for your needs.

So in this guide, we’ve listed 7 of our favorite braces and who they’re most suitable for.

We’ve also outlined the factors to consider when making your choice.

So let’s get started!

What to Look for in a Knee Brace for a Torn Meniscus

A knee brace for meniscus tears can’t actually heal the tear but can provide some support and stability as you recover.

The right one for you will depend on the extent of your injury, so you might want to talk to your doctor for advice before making your choice.

Here are a few things to consider:

#1: Type

For many people with minor injuries, a simple compression sleeve will often be the best type of knee brace for a torn meniscus.

This will provide mild support and stability whilst also keeping pain and swelling to a minimum.

Compression sleeves are often more comfortable to wear than other types of braces and tend to be more lightweight.

For more support, consider a hinged knee brace.

These often provide some compression, too, along with a higher level of support to combat any instability at the front and side of your knee.

Alternatively, consider a wrap-around knee brace for meniscus tears.

Similar to sleeve-style braces, these offer mild to moderate support and include straps that you can adjust for a custom fit.

#2: Size

Check the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully when it comes to sizing, as it’s important that your knee brace fits you properly.

It needs to be snug enough to stay in place when you move, but shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts your circulation and causes tingling in your leg.

#3: Materials

The types of materials used to construct a knee brace for meniscus tears vary quite a bit, depending on the style you choose.

Simple sleeves are often made from soft neoprene, which is snug yet flexible.

Other types of braces may be made with metal or plastic supports to keep your knee stable.

Ideally, choose a brace made from a breathable fabric designed to wick sweat away from your skin.

The 7 best Knee Braces for Meniscus Tears

#1. Best Compression Knee Brace for Meniscus Tears – NEENCA Professional Brace

Type: Compression, Material: High-Elastic Air Knit Compression Fabric, Sizes: S to XXXL

Pros	Cons
Double-sided spring stabilizers	Not machine washable
Contoured patella gel pad	Side supports could be more durable
Comfortable and breathable

This excellent knee brace for a torn meniscus is FDA-approved and provides more support than a standard sleeve-style brace.

The targeted compression helps boost circulation and increase the flow of oxygen to assist with healing while the stabilizers fit tightly with your knee joint to help maintain good alignment.

This effect is enhanced by the gel pad, which is ergonomically designed to contour to the shape of your knee.

The non-pilling, non-itchy fabric is lightweight enough to feel comfortable and features elastic webbing and non-slip gel strips on the inside to stop it from slipping or rolling when you move.

#2. Best Value for Money – TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support

Type: Wrap-Around Compression, Material: Neoprene and Silicone, Sizes: M to XXXL

Pros	Cons
Balanced support	Feels somewhat bulky and restrictive
Easy to adjust for a precise fit	Fabric could be more breathable
Choice of 3 colors

This brace uses a bi-directional fastening system, meaning that the straps fasten in opposite directions.

This – along with the two flexible stabilizer coils on each side – is very helpful for stability, as it ensures any pressure is evenly distributed.

Ideal for either your right or left knee, it has a bit of padding around the patella which not only gives support but also provides a little compression in that area.

With no-slip silicone strips to keep it in place and the adjustability you need to get the fit just right, this is a great knee brace for meniscus tears requiring mild to moderate support.

#3. Most Comfortable Knee Brace for Meniscus Tears for Athletes – ATHLEDICT Compression Sleeve with Strap

Type: Compression Sleeve, Material: Compression Fabric, Silicone, Latex, Sizes: XS to XXXL

Pros	Cons
Fully customizable support where you need it	It’s easy to snag the fabric with the straps
Strap can be removed if desired
Very affordable

This knee brace for meniscus tears is specifically made for athletes, meaning it gives you more freedom of motion than some other styles.

It’s similar to a basic compression sleeve, but what I prefer about this one is the fact that it also has a crossover strap.

This allows you to adjust both the area and degree of support – meaning that you get the exact amount of stability you require in the exact spot you need it.

Providing compression to guard against swelling and reduce pain, it is made from a lightweight fabric and uses skin-friendly anti-slip silicone and a well-designed anatomical shape to keep it in place.

In fact, the manufacturers are so sure that it will stay put better than any other leg sleeve that they offer a unique guarantee – if you find one for the same price or lower that stays in place better, they will buy it for you AND refund what you paid for theirs!

#4. Best Heavy Duty Knee Brace for Meniscus Tears – Bauerfeind GenuTrain S Knee Support

Type: Hinged Compression, Material: 59% Polyamid, 13% Glasfaser, 10% TPS, 4% Elastodiene, 4% Polyeurathane, 3% Elasthan, 1% Viscose, 0.5% Polyester, 0.5% Polyoxymethylene, 0.4% Cotton, 0.06% TPU, Sizes: 1 to 7

Pros	Cons
Very high level of support	Very expensive
Specially designed edges to reduce constriction
Machine washable

This high-quality brace is designed for advanced meniscus tears and is made by one of the world’s largest manufacturers of orthopedic stockings and inserts.

It provides medical-grade compression to reduce pain and swelling and uses a combination of joint side bars and an adjustable strap system to keep the knee stable without restricting your range of motion.

There is also a silicone omega pad that fits snugly over the kneecap to help eliminate pressure and massage the joint during motion.

While a high-coverage brace like this one is going to feel unavoidably warm, the knitted fabric is lightweight and breathable, plus it does a pretty good job of wicking away sweat to keep you comfortable.

#5. Best for Daily Wear – Shock Doctor’s Knee Support Sleeve

Type: Compression Sleeve, Material: Elastic Knit Neoprene, Sizes: XS to XL

Pros	Cons
Low profile	Slips a little
Comfortable under clothing	Lacks durability around the gel insert
Lightweight alternative to a full brace

This might look like a simple compression sleeve but it features an integrated gel inlay that sits around the patella, providing targeted compression and moderate support.

If you want to dial it back a little, Shock Doctor also makes a similar sleeve with a lighter level of support.

Whereas some sleeves have a habit of bunching behind the knee, the knit design of this one prevents that from happening so you can flex in comfort.

The neoprene material is soft to the touch and won’t irritate your skin, plus it’s stretchy enough to contour comfortably to the shape of your knee.

#6. Best Budget Knee Brace for Meniscus Tears – Physix Gear Sport Brace

Type: Compression Sleeve, Material: Nylon and Latex, Sizes: S to XXL

Pros	Cons
Comfortable 4-way stretch fabric	Attracts lint easily
Well-stitched and durable
Breathable and moisture-wicking

If you need a knee brace for a torn meniscus that offers mild support to keep you training and won’t break the bank, this popular sleeve from Physix Gear Sport is ideal.

Easy to slip on and made from a comfortable, flexible fabric that allows you to move freely, it comes in three different colors and features a circle weave that contours perfectly to your knee.

The no-slip silicone grip stops it from rolling or bunching and there are no tags or labels inside to chafe as you move, so it remains comfortable throughout your run.

It also washes well without losing compression and is lightweight enough for daily wear under your clothes if needed.

#7. Best Knee Brace for Meniscus Tears Overall – DonJoy Performance Bionic Brace

Type: Wrap-Around Hinged, Material: Perforated Neoprene, Sizes: S to XL

Pros	Cons
Excellent protection against lateral forces	Pricey
Anti-migration technology to prevent slipping	Runs small
Handy stash pocket for cards and keys plus reflective elements

DonJoy’s innovative sports bracing products have been used by athletes worldwide to aid recovery and this robust knee brace for meniscus tears delivers substantial stability where you need it.

It features bilateral polycentric hinges with hyperextension stops which keep your knee perfectly aligned and protect against rotation, hyperextension, and lateral movement.

It also has a hex-shaped patella opening which maintains knee alignment while still allowing for normal flexion and extension of the joint.

The wrap-around design makes it very easy to put on and remove, with the top and bottom stretch webbing enclosure and TPR pull tabs helping you achieve a perfect fit.

The 7 best Knee Braces for Meniscus Tears: Key Takeaways

A good knee brace for a torn meniscus can help keep pain and swelling to a minimum so you can resume your daily activities and – with your doctor’s permission – get back to training.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful in picking the right brace for your needs and that it helps speed up your recovery journey.