Knee brace suggestions

ChristyRunStarr

Does anyone here wear a knee brace? I want to get one but I don't want one that's big or uncomfortable to wear while running so I figured I'd ask for suggestions first (and I don't want to spend a ton of money). My knee was bothering me a bit last night on my run and since I'm starting to run longer distances, I want to give it a bit more support, I'd rather be safe than sorry!

n2thenight24

Bump for replies!!

wellbert

if it's for running, check out a... crap i forget the name. Little band that stabilizes the patellar tendon.

frosty73

I'm curious about this--- if anyone has any suggestions. I would have thought that if your knee was giving you problems, you'd want to lay off running? I've been having knee problems and found that insoles help a lot, but I'm not a runner. You could also try glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.

BrianSharpe

What type of knee pain are you experiencing?

Most knee braces are like a band aid, they may mask symptoms but don't really help you in the long run (pardon the pun). Perhaps a better course of action, for the time being, would be to cut back on your distances until you know the cause of the pain and have corrected it. Knee pain is frequently a manifestation of weak hips and/or glutes or (outside / bottom of knee) may be symptomatic of an IT band problem.

Here's are some links that I hope may help......

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-runners-knee

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/inside-doctors-office-dr-jordan-metzl-runners-knee

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/have-itbs-check-your-body-mechanics

Just out of curiosity......how many miles do you have on your shoes? (Were they properly fitted at a running specialty store?)

crobl

There's no point in picking a brace unless you know what the problems is. Each brace is designed for a specific purpose. But, if you want support - why not strengthen the muscles around your knee? That would provide support. There is research out that indicates that wearing a brace (whether the incorrect one or one when it's not needed) can actually create more problems. For example - relying on a brace for support can actually weaken the joint because it's relying on the brace for support instead of your own body.

Erienneb

I have a generic band, not a brace, for when my tendinitis flares in my right knee. I got it at Meijer and it just wraps around below my knee and puts pressure on the tendon so it stays in place. I only wear it if I'm feeling the beginnings of a flare up. During a full blown flare I don't do anything at all that puts pressure on my knees, I switch to low impact.

I am not fond of braces in general. If you need to brace while exersising, you may need to take a break or back off intensity. Your muscle will not strengthen or grow if you constantly hobble it.

unlocke

I wear a brace on both knees. You can get them at Wal-mart if you just need the kind that keeps the kneecap stabilized. But, you really do need to get it checked out to see what the underlying problem is. I ignored my knee pain and kept going anyway.......now I'm recovering from my 2nd knee surgery and could possibly be heading into a 3rd one.
Pain is a sign that something's not right. It could be just the fact that the muscles around the knee need some strength, but it could be something more. Let a doc check it....better safe than sorry.

ChristyRunStarr

Thanks for all the replies-I thought about seeing my doctor about it but I don't even know how to describe it. Saturday I went for a 6 mile run and it was bothering me about mile 5 or so but it was also after running up and down flights of stairs. Then at the end, after my cool down, it was fine. Last night I went for 3.25 mile run and again, it wasn't hurting but it was bothering me. I could tell where it was this time though-it's more on the inside of my knee if that makes sense. I was hoping it was just my knee telling me I didn't rest enough after 6 miles but my doctor should know what I mean even if the description is weird. I'll call my doctor later today to set something up when I get a break at work

klwells08

Definitely have your doctor take a look at it. I have chrondromalacia, diagnosed via MRI, in my right knee. I swear by my cho-pat brace when I run. I don't need it for any other exercise but running. It keeps my kneecap tracking correctly, thereby releaving the pain I would typically feel after a run.

jcstanton

What type of knee pain are you experiencing?

Most knee braces are like a band aid, they may mask symptoms but don't really help you in the long run (pardon the pun). Perhaps a better course of action, for the time being, would be to cut back on your distances until you know the cause of the pain and have corrected it. Knee pain is frequently a manifestation of weak hips and/or glutes or (outside / bottom of knee) may be symptomatic of an IT band problem.

Here's are some links that I hope may help......

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-runners-knee

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/inside-doctors-office-dr-jordan-metzl-runners-knee

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/have-itbs-check-your-body-mechanics

Just out of curiosity......how many miles do you have on your shoes? (Were they properly fitted at a running specialty store?)

^^This. I go to a gym that also specializes in physical therapy. Many of their patients are athletes and runners. IT band/patellar tendonitis is probably the most common problem they have in regard to runners' knees.

fittertanme

before you think about a leg brace go see your doctor as I was getting leg pain when I run and the doctor says its shin splints so have to take pills and cream for my leg but at the most it will be only for 4 weeks or less

melmckay99

knee injuries are the pits .

I have been having pain in my knee for about a year now. Hurts to go up and down stairs, to crouch or to kneel, I can't run anymore and on bad days I even walk with a limp . I play a lot of volleyball so I attributed it to this. I would rest between seasons with hopes that it would go away, but almost immediately when I get back on the court it starts to hurt again. I only recently started seeing a physiotherapist, and he says is patellar tendonitis. I have been working on exercises to strengthen my legs and hips with a little bit of improvement. It's very discourageing to be this age (29) and having to worry about a long term injury like this. My next step is to ask my doc to get an MRI or X-ray done to see if we can figure out exactly what it is, cause I am starting to have my doubts about tendonitis as I have been treating it for this with little to no improvement .

Anyway, all that to say...don't let it drag on! Find out what it is asap and start treating it!