When a twinge of pain or a wobble lets you know your knees aren’t as sturdy as they once were, buying a quality knee brace might be your first step.

But how do you know which one to choose?

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There are hundreds of types of knee braces, but according to J. Kristopher Ware, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute, your specific needs can help narrow down the options.

“Choosing a brace depends on the patient’s circumstances. In most cases, brace use is temporary or limited to specific activities. The duration of use varies from all the time for post-operative bracing, to limited use during sports for functional braces,” said Dr. Ware.

Common types of knee braces include:

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Once the type of brace chosen, it’s equally important to select the correct size, Dr. Ware said.

“Custom braces are typically fabricated based on a mold of the knee. Non custom fit, or ‘off the shelf’ braces are selected based mostly on circumference of the knee and thigh,” he explained, adding that an orthotist, or brace-fitting specialist, can help select the best size.

Because they specialize in finding the best solutions for patients with knee trouble, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers and orthotists, or a healthcare professional who makes and fits braces and splints, are the best resource if you’re having instability or pain, said Dr. Ware.

With the size and type of brace in hand, knee braces can be ordered online or purchased in a medical supply or sporting goods store.

The experts at the Bone & Joint Institute can relieve your joint pain.

About Hartford HealthCare: With 33,000 colleagues and total operating revenue of $4.9 billion, Hartford HealthCare leverages its unified culture to enhance access, affordability, equity and expertise. Its care-delivery system — with more than 400 locations serving 185 towns and cities — includes two tertiary-level teaching hospitals, an acute-care community teaching hospital, an acute-care hospital and trauma center, three community hospitals, the state’s most extensive behavioral health network, a large multispecialty physician group, a clinical care organization, a regional home care system, Connecticut’s largest array of senior care services, and a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation network. On average, Hartford HealthCare touches more than 17,000 lives every single day. The unique, system-wide Institute Model offers a unified high standard of care in crucial specialties at hospital and ambulatory sites across Connecticut. The institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular, Ayer Neuroscience, Orthopedics and Tallwood Urology. Visit Hartford HealthCare at www.HartfordHealthCare.org