Everything you Need to Know About Knee Straps

Knee straps are a hotly debated topic in the running world. Some people swear by them, while others think they have no place in running.What are the benefits of wearing knee straps? And when should you wear them?To clear up the confusion, here’s what you need to know about knee straps (and patella bands).

What Exactly is a Knee Strap?

A knee strap is a type of compression sleeve that’s designed to support the patella, or the kneecap. It’s typically worn by athletes who have a history of patellar tendinitis, or runners who experience pain from the quadriceps muscle.

The strap helps to relieve the pressure on the tendon and protect the patella from the sudden jolts that occur when running.

But do they work?

Do Knee Straps Work For Running?

Knee straps help improve your performance and relieve knee pain during sports that involve a lot of running, such as football or tennis, but they SHOULD NOT be used to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Many individuals opt for knee straps for running when they experience knee pain or have been diagnosed with runners knee.

There are a number of ways knee straps can help you, regardless of what kind of sport you participate in.  The key is to choose the right knee strap for the activity you want to do, and then learn how to use it properly.

Are Knee Straps and Patella Bands the Same Thing?

Knee straps and patella bands are two of the most common solutions for helping to relieve the pain and discomfort of patellofemoral syndrome. They work by using compression to support the knee, which can be important for people who have knee issues. But they are not exactly the same thing and are used for slightly different (but important) purposes. 

Knee straps for running are straps that wrap around your knee that are primarily aimed at providing support to the knee joint while running. Secondary purposes for knee straps include treating conditions like patellofemoral syndrome, which leads to pain and discomfort in the front of the knee.

A patella band is also a type of knee wrap, but it is a little different from a knee strap. A patella band is designed to wrap around the patella and is generally prescribed for people with existing knee pain caused by patellar tendinitis (overuse related injuries).  The intention of the patella band is to reduce the contact between the patella and the femur bone. 

When Should You Wear a Knee Strap for Running?

For some runners, knee pain is just a minor annoyance. But for others, knee pain can be debilitating.

The good news is that there are options for knee support. One of those options is a knee strap. As we mentioned above, this knee support is designed to help relieve pain from patellar tendinitis, and is often worn by runners who need support for their knees.  

However, at The Best Knee Braces we are of the belief that prevention is the best form of cure.  So why not get ahead and be proactive about your body’s health.  For example, if you are training for a marathon, you know the rigorous training schedule ahead of you.  Why not support your body through the hundreds of miles you are about to run.  In our books, if a knee strap is going to prevent your knees from developing patella tendinitis, why not invest in one for future trainings? 

Final Thoughts on Knee Straps for Running

Runners have been using knee straps for knee support for decades now.  It is an extremely popular support aid to help prevent injuries or knee joint conditions from occurring (or worsening if you are already experiencing knee pain). 

The key for supporting your running regime is to find the right knee strap that will target the specific areas of the knee you need. 

Remember, if you are experiencing any doubts or have any questions you can always leave a comment in the area below.  Alternatively, we always recommend seeking the advice of a medical professional to help guide you through your knee health journey.