Walking and sports activities wear away the cartilage, the tissue that lines the joints. This wear directly affects the function of the cartilage, and when this occurs in the knee area, it is called patellar chondromalacia.
Most people think that this condition only affects older people, but it can also affect younger people for a variety of reasons. Since patellofemoral pain syndrome is more common than you might think, it's useful to know what patellar chondromalacia is and how it can be improved with knee braces and patellar straps.
What is the best knee strap for chondromalacia patellae?
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with Velcro
- Double strap for better fit
- Breathable
- One size only
- Only one per order
Thanks to its velcro closure you can get the compression you want to stimulate heat and blood circulation. You only have to place the knee brace and adjust both straps until you get the necessary stability of the joint. Think that if you are one of those people who need a splint that generates maximum support, this knee brace may not be useful.
Run Forever Sports - Patella Strap for Arthritis, ACL, Running, Basketball, Meniscus Tear and Sports
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Nylon
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Band with silicone pad
- Double strap
- Good compression
- Anti-slip strips
- Breathable
- Too bulky
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
The Velcro closure of the side straps prevents displacement, even when you perspire. Do not worry about the accumulation of sweat because the patellar tape is breathable and helps the skin is always ventilated. The different sizes can be worn by men or women making the ergonomic design fit easily to relieve pain and improve blood circulation. In some sports, this meniscus support may be insufficient or uncomfortable.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: 3 Options: Black, White, Pink
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: velcro strap
- Comfortable and easy to use
- High compression
- No material specified
With this pair of knee braces you will be able to run, hike and play basketball without being worried about the shocks that the joint may suffer. The quality of the materials makes this knee brace a comfortable and lightweight compressive garment, this model being a one-size-fits-all model. You have to consider that in some users the protection and support in the tendons is minimal to perform certain sports actions.
- Sizes: M-L
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Velcro strap
- 2 sizes
- High compression
- Only one per order
Any of its available sizes can be used on both knees to always keep the joint protected and with the necessary compression to avoid injuries. By being able to adjust the ergonomic size, it is possible to stimulate blood circulation faster to improve irrigation in the soft tissues of the area. It is important to know that, in muscle tears, this product may not be very useful.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Nylon(59%), SBR(28%), Spandex(8%)
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: Band with silicone pad
- Silicone pad
- Optimal adjustment
- 2 By order
- High compression
- One size only
- Too bulky
When you purchase the pair of knee braces, just pull the side straps and fasten them with the buckle, pressing on the Velcro. This you will do until you feel the right compression, but you must not forget not to cut the blood circulation because you will feel an uncomfortable tingling. Its material is non-slip and allows ideal stability of the kneecap when playing tennis, volleyball or cycling. If you want to perform demanding activities, keep in mind that this knee brace may not generate the support you need.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Strap with silicone pad
- Optimal adjustment
- Good compression
- Silicone pad
- Machine washable
- One size only
- No material specified
- Only one per order
The control of the patella is achieved by adjusting its black strap with Velcro closure. In this way you will avoid slipping and maintain the stability of the meniscus when walking, hats or jumping. It is also suitable for use at home or under clothing when you're working. It improves blood circulation and relieves joint pain. In some cases, this elastic knee brace may slip and cause discomfort in use.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Nylon and Copper
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Velcro strap
- Quality materials
- Good compression
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
Its design provides better stability thanks to the adjustment it provides in strategic areas of the knee. The straps achieve that ergonomic design adapts to the user's anatomy to generate therapeutic benefits delivered by heat, which it retains during use. Some people with advanced meniscus injuries will not be able to solve their condition with this knee brace.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: 4 Options: Black, Blue, Gray, Pink, Pink
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: Velcro strap
- Pack of 2 units per order
- Strong support
- Variety of colors
- Good compression
- No material specified
- Too bulky
Your strap must pass through the side buckle to generate the necessary compression when you're playing or have to go through a surgical recovery. The stability and alignment of the joint will keep you safe in training, so be sure to close the Velcro on the strap securely. It is important to know that the elastic support is likely to shift as you perform the activity.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What is patellar chondromalacia and what are its symptoms?
Articular cartilage is a tissue made up of chondrocytes or cells that form a shiny, whitish, hard surface that covers the area of bone that rubs against another bone to form the joint. This tissue is not vascularized, so its nutrition comes from the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, which occurs by osmosis. Corrosion and softening of the cartilage cause patellar chondromalacia.
Patellar chondromalacia, or "patellofemoral pain syndrome," is a condition in which the cartilage that insulates the friction between the patella and femur is worn, cracked, or softened. It is pain at the front of the knee caused by deterioration of the cartilage at the back of the kneecap due to increased pressure.
Numerous causes and risk factors have been identified:
- Sports that involve braking, turning and starting.
- Repetitive physical activities that increase pressure on the kneecap.
- Use of inappropriate footwear.
- Obesity or being overweight.
- Weakening of the leg muscles.
- Structural abnormalities of the kneecap.
- Uneven leg length
- Exaggerated curvature of the spine.
The following signs and symptoms are the most common for this condition:
- Sensitive pain at the front of the knee. It starts gradually and is usually related to physical activity. It worsens when walking on hard surfaces and after climbing stairs.
- Stiffness and difficulty stretching the knee.
- Weakness of the quadriceps, especially the medial vastus.
- Shortening of the posterior muscle chain
- Perceived rubbing and snapping of the kneecap on the femur.
To more accurately diagnose this lesion, it is important to determine the degree of its presence, which can be determined using the following classification:
- Grade 1: Mild pain due to softening of the cartilage. This discomfort is usually caused by posture, physical activity, footwear or weather conditions.
- Grade 2: In this case, the pain becomes more intense due to decreased fibrillation of the cartilage that lasts for a long time. The wear and tear is therefore more evident.
- Grade 3: The surface of the cartilage is cracked, so the pain is more intense and even accompanied by increased inflammation in this area.
- Grade 4: This is the most severe form of patellar chondromalacia, in which the pain in the joint is disabling and permanent. This is due to the fact that it has severe swelling and joint instability at the same time. This is due to the fact that there is a complete loss of cartilage.
Advantages and benefits of knee straps for chondromalacia
In the treatment of chondromalacia of the patella, it is first important to clarify the causes that led to the development of this pathology, as well as to evaluate the symptoms and the results of imaging studies.
To speed up the rehabilitation process, some alternative and non-invasive therapies are recommended to effectively regenerate the function of the affected patella. One of the most commonly recommended therapies is compression therapy, a method based on an elastic garment that applies controlled pressure to the injured body part to normalize the function of the vascular wall, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and protect the area.
Compression knee sleeves or patella straps are recommended because they provide the following benefits:
- Relieves knee pain: it stabilizes the joint and avoids the constant movement that can cause pain.
- Reduces inflammation: Proper support can improve blood circulation in the knee, so that existing swelling disappears.
- Speeds up the recovery process: Knee braces are useful for minimizing fatigue caused by the change and helping to restore function.
- It provides protection to the affected knee: it prevents possible relapses or aggravations and also helps prevent other, more serious conditions of the joint or its adjacent parts.
- Ensures comfort and safety: by using this compression garment, the patient feels safer in all movements and physical activities involving his knee.
- Increases performance: once the discomfort is relieved, these compression devices allow for improved performance as they optimize the distribution of body loads. It is therefore ideal for athletes and women.