Kneepads are designed to surround and cushion the knee, helping to both stabilise the knee and potentially reduce soreness or pain. Kneepads can be made from various materials including leather, neoprene, thermoplastic, gel and foam.
Hard shell knee pads include those that have:
- a gel insert which stabilises the knee and reduces painful movement of the kneecap
- a non-slip surface for extra grip and stability
- a smooth shell for easy gliding over hard surfaces.
Soft shell knee pads include those that:
- provide comfort when kneeling
- don’t mark surfaces
- can be inserted into knee pockets within specially designed work garments
- provide compression and support for underlying joints and muscles.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Kneepads can be used in the workplace to protect, provide support to, and reduce impact on the knee.
A person with a knee injury may require knee pads to assist them to carry out their job independently if they are required to kneel down or take pressure through their knees as part of their work role.
When considering the use of knee pads, the following information may be useful:
References
Ferrett 2004, Foot and Knee Protection, Reed Business Information, Sydney, viewed 2 February 2011, http://www.ferret.com.au/c/OTB-Products/Foot-and-knee-protection-n685353.
Ferrett 2006, Comfortable Knee Pad, Reed Business Information, Sydney, viewed 2 February 2011, http://www.ferret.com.au/c/OTB-Products/Comfortable-knee-pad-n716089.
Seton Australia 2006, Kinetic Knee Pads, Seton Australia, Sydney, viewed 2 February 2011, http://www.seton.net.au/endecasearch/result/query/?q=kietic+knee+pads&x=75&y=2