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FOOTBALLERS wear them, so do ruggers, basketball players and triathletes.
With braces and supports becoming available for just about any body part, they are now increasingly common on and even off the playing field among professional athletes as well as weekend warriors.
From a simple knee strap that tightens and stabilises the kneecap, to more complex spinal braces which help support and straighten the spine, these products come in many forms.There are also others that are specifically designed for the body’s common injury zones – the ankle, thigh, shoulder and wrist.
But anyone with an injury should avoid just strapping himself up and going out for his next game, said sports physician Dr Ben Tan.There is a danger to athletes self-diagnosing and treating themselves. “The severity of the symptoms does not always correlate with the severity of the problem,” said Dr Tan, head and senior consultant at Changi Sports Medicine Centre.
Braces provide limited structural support and this may give athletes a false sense of security. It is best to consult a doctor, who will discuss other aspects of treatment such as physiotherapy, medication, rehabilitation exercises, and even surgery depending on the problem. Dr Tan said that doctors would also be able to give advice on whether a person can continue training with a brace or should rest completely. They will also best fit the injured athlete with the right brace, with the required bracing period varying for different injuries.
Professional opinion should be sought on whether the product that is being used is helpful, not helpful, or even harmful. Back braces and supports worn over long periods do not encourage the back muscles to strengthen, and can hence prolong symptoms of back pain.Some supports claim to have other properties for additional benefits, such as improving blood and oxygen circulation. Added properties or not, braces and supports do provide some help for those with ligament, tendon or muscle injuries.
They may not aid the healing process directly in acute injuries – such as ligament, tendon or muscle tears or bone fractures – but they protect the injured tissues and allow them to heal in a relatively protected environment. For long-standing or chronic problems, the braces provide support and help in reproducing the function of the injured tissue.
In arthritic cases, they attempt to transfer the body weight to a healthier part of the worn-out joint. However, Dr Tan also noted that there is also a psychological aspect to wearing braces. He said: “Apart from protecting the injured structure, wearing a brace also serves as a reminder to the athlete that he should take it easy on that joint.”
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