Knee braces fall into four general categories: Prophylactic Braces, Functional Braces, Rehabilitative Braces and Unloader Braces. There is also a fifth type of knee support called a Knee Sleeve, which technically is not a brace but which is sometimes referred to as one.

Regardless of which type of knee brace you choose, it should not interfere with normal knee function or increase the risk of injury to any other part of the lower body or to other players.