![]() ![]() ![]() Knee braces can be a great tool to keep you pain-free while running, but if you rely on them consistently, it may signal a deeper issue. The bottom line on knee braces for running Common Running Injuries and How to Address Them.“Brace use just further magnifies deficits and can create deficits where none exist if a brace is used when not needed.”Ī better way to protect yourself from injury and pain is working to gain the strength, mobility, and control needed to run safely without a brace. “Once brace use begins, the structures it is protecting just become further impaired, and the person becomes continually more reliant on the brace as time goes on,” says Kelley. “If you notice persistent swelling, the inability to fully bend or straighten your knee, or if the pain worsens as you get further into the run and isn’t something that tends to go away as you warm up, it’s time to see a doctor.”Īlso, using a brace just for the sake of it is also not advised. “If someone has an acute injury or trauma to the knee, like a fall or a twist of the knee, it is best to check in with a doctor and make sure nothing more serious is going on,” Borowski says. Of course, a knee brace for running won’t be able to fix all your lower-body ailments, and there are times you shouldn’t opt for one. When is it not necessary for a runner to wear a knee brace? These are usually made of hard plastic, have straps, and are the bulkiest of the bunch.”Īdditionally, for meniscus injuries, there is an “off-loading” brace that takes pressure off of the medial or lateral meniscus after a meniscus injury, a surgery, or when arthritis is involved. “They also protect the ACL by protecting against rotational forces as well. “They are used to protect the ligaments of the knee, specifically the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, against sprains and tears,” Kelley said. These have strong, hinged portions that help prevent the knee from caving in and out. The top level of support is the medial/lateral support braces. These are commonly used with patellofemoral pain and with patellar tendon issues,” Kelley says.Īdditionally, “If the front of the knee hurts on the center part of the knee, you may want to try a patellar counterforce brace that applies some pressure directly to that tendon,” Borowski suggests. “It is like the sleeve but with a thickened portion that acts on the kneecap. It helps guide the patella (knee cap) to track in a straighter pattern and to take pressure off the tendon. The next level of support is the patellar brace. ![]() If they perceive it to be helpful, there is no harm in wearing one,” Kelley says. “When it comes to brace recommendation, I am generally okay with the compression brace whenever a patient wants to start using it. While this brace is the least cumbersome, it’s also the least supportive, Kelley explains. This type of brace is just a tight sleeve around the joint that limits the buildup of swelling and improves self-movement of the joint in space. These are usually the first type that most runners seek out and are generally safe to slip on when you experience any kind of pain. In general, knee braces get categorized into three types: Compression sleeve braceĪ compression sleeve offers the lowest level of support. Is Running Actually Good for Your Knees?. ![]()
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