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(HealthDay News) -- A knee brace can help protect an injured knee from further injury, or help prevent injury in a weakened or arthritic knee.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of different types of knee braces:

• A prophylactic knee brace can protect knees from injury during contact sports, including football.
• Functional braces can help protect an already injured knee from further damage.
• Rehabilitative braces help stabilize and protect knees that are recovering from injury or surgery.
• Unloader or offloader braces offer support and protection to knees that are affected by arthritis.