Running knee pain, do you need to wear a

knee brace?

Almost all runners have experienced knee pain, whether from overtraining or other causes such as poor posture. Some people try to solve this problem by wearing knee pads or patella straps.

“Knee pads apply pressure around different structures to reduce pain or increase knee stability,” says Lauren Borowski, a sports medicine specialist at New York University. But in general, it can be difficult to tell whether knee pain requires knee pads. Consider the many different knee pads on the market. How to choose a knee brace and how to relieve knee pain is explained by William Kelley of Ares Physical Therapy and lauren Borovs, a sports medicine expert.

Should you run with knee pads?

In some cases, knee pain can interfere with your running or training schedule.  So, when should you consider using knee pads?  “If you don’t have an acute injury and you’re feeling vaguely painful, it’s worth trying a brace,” Borovs says.  You see a lot of professional athletes wearing knee pads before they get hurt.
 
 
 
 William Kelly said: “I think knee pads are a good tool for high level dynamic athletes to prevent injuries.”  But, he added, “It is best used under the guidance of a professional to help pinpoint the source of knee pain.”  For runners, knee pads are reliable, temporary wearables paired with physical therapy — correcting the underlying problem that caused knee pain in the first place.

What’s the best knee brace for running?

You should first consult a doctor for advice before trying any protective device.

 ”You can trust a physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine doctor,” Kelley said. “Amazon will give you a good brand, but the use of care really needs to be decided by a professional with you.”

 Generally speaking, knee pads can usually be divided into three types:

• Compression sleeve kneepad 

This type of guard is a tight fitting around the joint that limits swelling and improves the movement of the joint. Kelly stresses that while it’s the least troublesome, it’s also the least supportive. The lowest level of support is usually preferred by most runners.

 ”When it comes to protective gear recommendations, WHENEVER patients want to use a compression sleeve knee brace, I usually accept it. If they think it helps, it doesn’t hurt to wear it.” Kelly said

• Patellar gear

The next level is the patella compression band, which helps guide the patella (kneecap) to move in the right way and relieve pressure on the tendon.

 ”The thickening of the patella band supports the kneecap and is often used to treat patellofemoral joint pain and patellar tendon problems.” “If the front edge of the knee, the middle of the knee is injured, you may want to try to use a patella band or put some pressure on the tendon.”

• Kneepad sleeve on both sides

A better option is the bilateral kneecap sleeves, which have a strong stabilizing structure that prevents the knee from collapsing in and out.  

 ”Usually used to protect the ligaments of the knee, especially the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, from sprains and tears.”  ”It protects the ACL against rotational forces, it’s made of hard plastic, it has tightening straps, and it’s heavy,” Kelly said.  

When should runners not wear knee pads?

Knee pads don’t solve all knee problems. “If you have a sudden acute knee injury or trauma, such as a fall or sprain, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to make sure nothing more serious has happened.” “If the knee continues to swell, doesn’t fully bend or straighten, or the pain gets worse during a run and it doesn’t feel right after you’ve warmed up, it’s time to see your doctor,” Borovs says.

Don’t over-rely on knee pads. Once protective gear is used, the original structure of the body degrades further. Over time, people will rely more and more on protective gear. “The use of protective gear only amplifies the defect further,” Kelly said. “If protective gear is used when it is not needed, it can create another level of defect.” Instead, you should work on strength, flexibility and control of your body before you rely on them.

Knee pads can be a great tool or can help you run painless. But continued dependence is a different problem. “I usually think of pads as a temporary stopgap to help you run painless until you can run without them,” Kelly says. “But older runners with chronic pain may need another level of care, and on top of that they should be equipped with pads to keep them comfortable and comfortable to run.”

If you find that you constantly need a knee brace for pain relief, consider seeing a doctor or professional physical therapist to find out the source of the pain. “A knee brace can be used long-term if it helps, but if the pain persists for more than a few months, it’s worth checking to make sure nothing more serious is happening.” Borovs said.

“In the early stages of the knee pain, consider using other cross training, change the training to the influence of low impact/no projects, such as swimming or strength training. These are all can help runners into a comprehensive, a good way to fill the physical defects. By using cross training strategy, let you can be more good at running.”

RunnersWorld