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Knee Braces for Running: Giving You the Support You Need

Running exerts a lot of pressure on your legs and the knees are especially vulnerable to injuries as they play a pivotal role of bending and straightening the legs. People who run regularly either as a professional activity or as a form of daily exercise often develop some form of knee pain or injury. Knee pain can range from mild to extremely painful depending upon the type and extent of the injury. The use of knee braces for running can prevent the injuries and also provide relief to already injured knees.

There are several types of knee injuries (called runner's knee collectively) and each affects a particular region of the knee.

  • Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS): This is common form of lateral knee pain among runners, cyclists, climbers, hiker, weightlifters and military personnel. It affects the iliotibial band, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee during running.
  • Chondromalacia patellae (CMP):  This happens as a result of an inflammation of the underside of the patella, which is also called the kneecap. It affects young people who are active in sports and older adults who can develop the condition simply by walking.
  • Patellar tendinitis: Also called patellar tendinopathy or more commonly as jumper's knee, this occurs in the inferior patellar region of the knee. It is fairly common among sportsmen and women who play basketball and volleyball.
  • Osgood–Schlatter syndrome:  Also known as epiphysitis, tibial tubercle or more popularly as knobby knees, this affects the patellar ligament at the tibial tuberosity. It appears as painful lumps just below the knee in young people either as a result of obesity or excessive running and jumping.

All types of knee pains are painful and the symptoms become worse when running, jumping, climbing and even after a prolonged period of sitting. To prevent knee injuries, you should warm up and stretch before running and engaging in any sporting activity. Wearing knee braces for running during physical activities provides support to your knees and prevents injuries.

There are several types of knee braces depending upon the type of injury you want to prevent or get relief from.

  • Knee band: The simplest of knee braces, this simple knee band helps relieve pain that occurs in the patellar tendon when running. It goes around the circumference of the knee and can be used to treat tendinitis and Osgood-Schlatter's syndrome.
  • Patellar stabilizing brace: Made of a strap or block to hold the patella firmly in place, it prevents patellar tracking injuries that happen when the patella (kneecap) does not track properly in the groove of the femur.
  • Arthritic knee brace: This type of knee brace is especially for those who have developed arthritis. Also called unloader, it helps reduce the painful bone-on-bone friction.
  • Neoprene brace: Made of a stretchy material, neoprene braces serve multiple purposes. Some are designed to provide compression and some stabilize the patella.
  • Hinged brace: Similar to neoprene brace but bigger, hinged brace is designed to provide added support and stability. It is customizable for each individual and especially helpful after knee surgery as is more rigid and designed to limit the range of motion.

There is no doubt that knee braces provide much needed support to your knee during running, jumping, cycling and other intense physical activities. So it's a good idea to wear them to prevent knee injuries and to get relief from pain even if you are using them in combination with other therapies.

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