Medical supplies · Knee
Knee injury at work or in a car accident: medical supplies a doctor may prescribe for home recovery
Knees take a beating on the job. Kneeling on concrete, climbing ladders, twisting while carrying a load and slipping on a wet floor all put stress on the ligaments, cartilage and kneecap. If you've hurt your knee at work or in a car accident, your doctor may prescribe supplies to support your recovery at home — this page walks through the options in general terms and the questions worth asking.
Medical emergency? Call 911. If you've just been injured, get medical care first — paperwork and pharmacy questions can wait. This page is educational only and is not medical or legal advice.
Common work injuries to the knee
Ligament injuries often happen when the foot stays planted and the body turns — stepping awkwardly off a truck, pivoting on a scaffold, or catching a boot on uneven ground. Meniscus injuries, which affect the cartilage cushions inside the knee, are common in jobs that involve squatting, kneeling and getting up and down repeatedly, such as flooring, plumbing and warehouse work.
Kneecap injuries can come from a direct blow — a fall onto a hard surface or the knee striking the dashboard in a car crash. Repetitive kneeling can also irritate the tissues around the kneecap over time.
Some knee injuries settle with rest and therapy; others need surgery. Your doctor will examine you and may order imaging to decide what's going on and what to do next.
- Ligament sprains and tears from twisting
- Meniscus injuries from squatting and kneeling
- Kneecap injuries from falls and dashboard impacts
- Overuse irritation from repetitive kneeling
Devices a doctor may prescribe
Knee devices tend to follow the stage of recovery. Early on, the focus is often on protecting the joint and managing swelling. Later, it shifts toward getting muscles working again and returning to normal activity. Your doctor decides which, if any, of these suits your injury and when.
After knee surgery, follow your surgeon's home-care plan exactly. That plan may include some of these devices, used in a particular order and for particular lengths of time.
These are the knee-related devices in the Prescriptions.plus program, by their program names. Each is prescribed by a doctor and supplied through our medical-supply partner.
- Prescriptions.plus SupportLine Bracing — hinged or soft knee braces to support and limit movement
- ColdFlow Compression System — wireless, ice-free cold compression, often discussed after injury or surgery
- DualStim TENS/NMES Unit — nerve and muscle stimulation, sometimes used in rehabilitation to help muscles work
- PulseWrap PEMF Recovery Wrap — a knee garment combining a pulsed electromagnetic field with heat
- LumaHeal Red Light Pad — infrared heat and low-level red light in a knee shape
Questions to ask your doctor
Coming to your appointment with questions helps you leave with a clear plan. If you're not sure whether a device is right for you, ask directly — your doctor decides what is appropriate and can explain why.
If you're back at work on modified duty, ask how to use any device around your work schedule, and whether there are tasks you should avoid while wearing a brace.
It can also help to ask who to call with questions once you're home, so you're not left guessing if something doesn't feel right.
- Which device, if any, fits my stage of recovery?
- Hinged or soft brace — and how long do I wear it each day?
- How long should cold compression sessions last?
- When can I start strengthening or stimulation?
- What should I avoid at work while my knee heals?
- Who do I call if something feels wrong?
When to get care right away
Some symptoms shouldn't wait for your next appointment. Contact your doctor promptly, or go to urgent care or the emergency department, if you notice any of the warning signs below. After knee surgery, call your surgeon's office right away about fever or changes in the wound.
Medical emergency? Call 911.
To request more information about any of the devices above, patients, doctors and clinics, and employers or adjusters can use the form on this page. Whether a workers' comp claim or auto policy covers a device is a question for your adjuster or insurer.
- The knee gives way, locks or can't bear weight
- Rapid swelling after a fall or twist
- Calf pain, swelling or warmth, especially after surgery
- Fever, or redness or drainage from an incision
- Numbness, coldness or colour change in the foot
Product lines for knee injuries
Prescriptions.plus SupportLine Bracing
Back, knee, ankle, elbow, wrist and cervical bracing
PulseWrap PEMF Recovery Wrap
Pulsed electromagnetic field + heat wraps
DualStim TENS/NMES Unit
Nerve and muscle stimulation unit
ColdFlow Compression System
Wireless, ice-free cold compression
LumaHeal Red Light Pad
Infrared heat + low-level red light pad
Frequently asked questions
What devices might a doctor prescribe for a knee injury at work?
A doctor may prescribe a knee brace, cold compression, a stimulation unit, a PEMF garment or a heat and red light pad, depending on your injury and stage of recovery. Your doctor decides which, if any, is appropriate.
Should I wear a hinged or soft knee brace?
Your doctor decides. Hinged braces allow bending while controlling side-to-side movement, and soft braces give lighter support; the choice depends on your injury.
Can I use cold compression after knee surgery?
Often, if your surgeon includes it in your home-care plan. Follow your surgeon's plan exactly, including how long each session lasts.
When should I worry about knee pain after a fall?
Get care promptly if your knee gives way, locks, can't bear weight or swells quickly. Medical emergency? Call 911.
Does workers' comp cover knee braces and devices?
Coverage depends on your claim. Your adjuster or insurer can tell you what is covered.
How do I request information about these devices?
Use the form on this page. Patients, doctors and clinics, and employers or adjusters can request information.
Other injury areas
Medical devices shown here are prescribed by a doctor. Ask your doctor whether any of them is appropriate for you. Prescriptions.plus does not diagnose, prescribe, bill or decide coverage. Educational purposes only.