Running while wearing knee braces can prevent further injury to your leg.
Avid runners are familiar with the term "runners knee." This condition causes intermittent or chronic pain behind the knee cap. The cause of the problem is a knee cap that continually slides out of place. Another common problem is inflammation of the tendons around the knee cap. If you notice any of these signs while you are running, you should try to run with a knee brace for added support.
Hinged Knee Brace
The hinged knee brace is one of the most complex knee braces you can use (and is one of the most expensive). You put this brace on by wrapping it around your leg. Secure it by fastening the Velcro straps. You will notice that most of the brace is made of hard material but allows for nearly full range of motion because the knee cap is exposed and the material behind the knee is softer and pliable. The soft material behind the knee and the knee cap exposure allows you the freedom to run (but you will notice that bending your knee is slightly harder to do). The harder material that covers your shin and quadiceps provides added compression and support that soft material cannot give. This makes the hinged knee brace the best choice if you are suffering from a more serious knee injury but still want to run (as long as it is safe to do).
Patella Tendon Knee Strap
The patella tendon knee strap is the lest obstructive knee brace there is. It is a simple rubber-like ring that wraps around the leg, right below the knee cap. This knee brace is used when a runner is suffering from inflamed tendons. The compression it provides helps the healing process and gives the tendons added support during exercise. The patella tendon knee strap is commonly used for such ailments as patellar tendinitis (also known as Jumper's Knee), chondromalacia patella and Osgood Schlatter's Disease. These knee braces will either consist of a full rubberlike band that is able to fit nearly every leg size or a band that needs to be fastened with Velcro. With the latter design, you need to make sure to buy the correct size to fit your leg.
Knee Sleeve
The knee sleeve is a simple device that can help both tendinitis around the knee area as well as a slipping knee cap. The design looks much like a hinged knee brace except it does not need to be wrapped around the leg. You simply slip your leg through the brace and pull it up around until the small hole in the brace aligns with your knee cap. The knee sleeve will fit snugly, and apply pressure to the entire area it covers. The knee sleeve is best used for knee injuries that require little healing time.
Tags: knee brace, behind knee, hinged knee brace, knee sleeve, added support