The McDavid 429 Hinged Knee Brace benefits from using lightweight materials and design including aircraft grade aluminium gears that accommodate the natural gliding action of the knee. The hinges incorporates hyperextension stops to cushion and protect the knee (so you can't bent it backwards any further than straight) while the neoprene sleeve aids warmth retention which helps recovery from injury by keeping the muscles supple and flexible. The McDavid 429 Hinged Knee Brace features geared polycentric hinges on the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) of the knee to provide strong support to the knee joint. The hinges are a superior engineered design which makes it ideal for skiing and most sports. Geared means that if you were to bend one end of the hing towards you, the other end will move in as well, removing a lot of stress and strain on the knee joint as a whole, taking a lot of the weight through your knee. The McDavid 429 Hinged Knee Brace also features a fixed horseshoe shaped padded patella buttress which aids in kneecap tracking and helps relieve some symptoms of Chondromalacia, patellar subluxation and patellar tendonitis. The knee brace measures 30.5 cm in length. Suitable for either left or right leg. The McDavid 429 Hinged Knee Brace offers the ultimate level of protection and is a fantastic choice for those people looking for a knee brace or support for skiing or snowboarding. The McDavid 429 Hinged Knee Brace provides support for minor to moderate MCL, LCL and ACL ligament problems and instabilities as well as general support for older and worn out knees. Great advice is to always consider wearing two knee braces when skiing because a brace on one knee will stop any further damage but you then don't want to allow your "good" knee to become damaged as well.