Thigh compression sleeves and supports

Thigh sleeves, wraps and straps

• McDavid Sports Elastic Thigh Sleeve Black: tubular, lightweight ventilated elastic covering the full thigh, made for minor strains and sprains.
• BA Elastic Thigh Sleeve: mild compression without holding heat, suits the left or right leg, and is suggested for people who react to neoprene.
• Elastic Slip-On Thigh Support: beige cotton elastic, anatomically shaped, and handy for holding a hot or cold pack over the thigh.
• Bodyassist One Size Thermal Thigh Wrap: thermal material that keeps the upper thigh warm, comfortably fitting thighs up to about 50cm around.
• M-Brace Laced Thigh Wrap: a soft cotton velour lining with corded laced straps that wrap the quadriceps and hamstrings.
• One Size Thigh Tendon Strap: a rigid, non-stretch strap with a buckle, which the maker likens to a tennis elbow band for the thigh.

For a fresh thigh strain, Healthdirect's first aid is rest, ice, compression and elevation, with compression meaning a bandage around the injury to limit swelling. A physiotherapist can tell you whether a sleeve or wrap suits you once the injury is assessed.

Padded and compression shorts

For football and other contact sport, the Lycra Football Shorts come in the standard beige that the maker says most AFL codes require, either on their own or with two adult thigh pads in built-in pockets. The Contact Sport High Density Thigh Foam Pads are sold as a pair without shorts. The FATPAD Padded Ruck Short, in black or beige, and the McDavid HexPad Thudd Pro Short W/Extended Thigh add hip, tailbone and wrap-around thigh padding for light contact and blunt knocks.

Unpadded options focus on compression and warmth:

• McDavid Cross Compression Short with hip spica: support for the hamstrings and quads, with a hip spica wrap.
• McDavid Neoprene Shorts w/ adjustable drawstring: 1.5mm latex-free neoprene for the thigh, hamstrings, groin and glutes.
• McDavid Sports Compression Pants: flat-locked seams and moisture management, which the maker says prevents chafing.

Athletic supporters and hernia supports

The BA Adult Sports Supporter, the Classic Swim/Run Supporter Pack and the McDavid Performance Sport Boxer give everyday and sporting support. The BA Suspensory Testicular Supporter holds and lifts the scrotum, for example after surgery, with pouch sizes from small to extra large. For an inguinal hernia, there is the cotton M-Brace Hernia Brief with inner pockets for hernia pads, and the Inguinal Hernia Belt with removable foam pads for the left, right or both sides. Healthdirect explains that surgery is usually recommended for an inguinal hernia, and that a supportive belt called a truss can help hold it in place but is not a long-term solution, so see your doctor first.

Related ranges include knee braces, compression hosiery and muscle and joint relief.