Running is a term for those who are dedicated to endurance running, an activity that involves exertion and training of the feet and legs. Compression knee sleeves were also developed for these people. This garment is suitable both for sports practice and as a therapeutic element for knee injuries and their healing.
The following article will help you better understand when to use a knee brace, under what conditions to use them, what types of knee support there are and what benefits they offer, how to choose the right size, what is the standard price and how to use them properly.
What is the best knee brace for running injuries?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Green, Pink and Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 pieces
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Double Anti-Slip Silicone
Various Colours and Sizes
Stretch Fabric
- Sizes: M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: 5 Options
- Material: Spandex
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Quick and easy to use
- Hight Quality
- No small sizes
- Delicate wash
The Kuangmi elastic support offers three versions with corrugated straps that will prevent stress on the joint and, by means of the material and ergonomic design, all-day comfort is guaranteed. The different sizes, available for men and women, offer just the right amount of compression on the soft tissues of the knee. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people prone to skin rashes.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Grey and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Discreet design
- 2 per order
- No material specified
The ergonomic design reduces pressure on the knee and improves joint stability. Thanks to the anti-slip silicone material, located in strategic areas in the support, the elastic knee brace does not slip during use. It is made of a 3D technology fabric, which makes it a lightweight and easy to carry ligament protector. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people who suffer from itching.
- Sizes: S-M-L
- Colours: Blue and Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with Elastic Band
- Strong compression
- Elastic Band for better fit
- No material specified
The elastic band prevents meniscus injuries and inflammation in the bursae thanks to its unique anti-slip system. It is recommended by top Olympic athletes, as the compression it exerts on the strategic places behind the knee is continuous and guarantees the highest quality standards. If you don't choose the right size, it is likely that the fitting system will not be efficient.
- Sizes: M-L-XL
- Colours: 3 Options: Grey, Blue, Green
- Material: Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone padding
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- Breathable design
- Gel Pack
- No small sizes
- Delicate wash
The kneecap will stay in place thanks to the 360° compression offered by this sports garment and the gel pack will reinforce the soft tissue from any blows. Its different sizes will allow you to lead a healthy life and increase comfort, avoiding slippage of the compression garment when you wear it in training or at home. It is important to consider that the protector is not useful if the user does not support joint stiffness.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Blue, Grey
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Variety of sizes
- Gel Pack
- Not machine washable
The patellar protector has a unisex design with fabrics that adapt anatomically to any knee. Importantly, its soft material generates the necessary pressure, along with the patella-protecting silicone, to keep the joint stable and prevent injury. Please note that the support is not viable for use in people who are allergic to the materials with which the knee brace is made.
- Sizes: Size 0 - 7
- Colours: Grey and Blue
- Material: Cotton, Elastane, Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Breathable fabric
- Machine washable
- Omega Pad
- Strong compression
- Only one per order
- Difficulty in choosing sizes
The knee sleeve, with specially designed front silicone protector, generates increased blood supply and massages strategic points of the kneecap. This structure increases heat in the area, providing therapeutic benefits to the user. Lateral supports provide greater stability without restricting joint movement. In some products, the compression is not sufficient according to the user's expectations.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Blue
- Material: Elastic rubber
- No. of products: Single
- Type: Closed with silicone pad
- Good fit
- Hight Quality
- No material specified
The one-size-fits-all size offers a hook-and-loop closure strap to more efficiently adjust the joint and maintain alignment with the femur. It's ideal for carrying around and can be worn during the summer and under clothing to stimulate blood circulation. Itching and rashes may be common in people with skin sensitivities, so this product is not recommended for them.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Velcro strap
- Lightweight design
- Good compression
- Quality stitching
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- One size fits all
- delicate wash
Its unisex design features a one-size-fits-all fit that conforms anatomically to the knee via a Velcro fastener. It is ideal for runners and its internal padding offers greater comfort, without losing efficiency in the compression and adjustment of the joint. Its fabric is breathable, but in some cases the odour does not disappear after washing.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries while running?
Many people have been forced to stop their activities due to discomfort or because they have suffered an incident and cannot bear the pain, but this garment can be the solution. It should be noted that the injury is not always caused directly by running, but by overloading the knees or poor training, and even by the surface on which the athlete performed the activity.
The most common injuries are:
Runner's knee
Also known as chondromalacia of the kneecap. It is described as discomfort in the lower part of the kneecap. It is a pathological condition of the cartilage at the back of the kneecap that causes severe pain throughout the knee, instability, and a rubbing sensation that is aggravated by walking on uneven ground, climbing stairs, and bending the knee.
It is a wear and tear of the cartilage that causes friction between the kneecap and the muscle. The result is severe pain and outward displacement of the kneecap. Depending on the severity, surgery may be required. It is usually caused by weakness of the quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh, the shape of the knee, or the position of the foot.
The kneecap can be defined as a small triangular bone. In other words, the ligaments, muscles and bones of the leg make up the knee joint. We mention this because it is the area that is subjected to the most stress. This is because the kneecap rubs against the femur or thigh bone as the knee moves. This syndrome can also be caused by displacement of the kneecap.
Patellar tendinopathy
Called "jumper's knee", is an inflammation of the patellar tendon that allows extension movements of this part of the leg. It can be caused by runners who train on a very hard surface or when the amount of training is increased. It can be treated with physiotherapy to improve the position of the kneecap.
Patellar tendonitis
This is a shooting pain in the tendon that is considered one of the most difficult injuries to treat. The discomfort is noticeable even when sitting and especially when climbing stairs, so it is important to rest. It can be caused by lack of movement during the run and lack of stretching exercises to warm up the body before the workout. Patience and close adherence to treatment are the best allies of sufferers who need to stop exercising and rest to recover.
Iliotibial band syndrome
It causes constant pain on the lateral outer side of the knee and worsens when running downhill or at a very slow pace. It is an inflammatory, non-traumatic injury caused by overuse of the area. You need to get as much rest as possible to ensure that recovery is truly effective and that symptoms do not worsen or require surgery; if they do, you will need to suspend running for an extended period of time while the knee heals. The injury is usually felt on the outside of the joint, and the main symptom is pain between the hip and knee, which can be aggravated by very strenuous physical activity.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for runners
Choosing a sports knee brace sounds like an easy task, but it is not. Starting with the fact that running is not just an activity, but requires strength, endurance, good nutrition and hydration to achieve its goals.
When choosing the best running clothes, you need to look at things like:
Depending on the function
- Knee braces for pain relief: the sports knee brace works and provides compression so that the area can rest and recover. This is beneficial for the entire race, as the excessive stress to which the knee is subjected leads to constant discomfort, which can be avoided and reduced by using these garments.
- Knee sleeves to reduce swelling: Swelling is an inevitable situation associated with the athlete, it happens to everyone. The knee support is designed to provide the necessary compression to achieve the opposite effect. It is important to remember that in this situation the garment can be accompanied by heat and cold therapies to achieve optimal recovery.
- Knee braces to improve comfort: the most important thing is to be comfortable. The compression garment does not cause discomfort during training or recovery from an injury. Sports knee sleeves provide good support and temperature in the joint, which makes physical activity and running easier.
- Breathable knee braces: sweat is an element that accompanies every athlete, regardless of the activity performed. It is important to choose a lightweight, breathable knee brace to avoid accidents, skin irritation or even discomfort during exercise. The problem with sweating is that it is a natural process that is more or less pronounced in everyone, which is why ventilation is so important.
Material
When it comes to materials, it is important to evaluate the quality of the product. These parts are made of breathable and elastic materials such as nylon, neoprene, elastane, latex and fabrics strong enough not to disintegrate, although they are available in different thicknesses.
Type of support
Knee braces are the quintessential compression garment, but it should be noted and taken into account that each type of injury requires a different level of pressure. Another important point is that the garment is always kept in the same place and irregularities can occur during the run, so support materials are also used to provide this support.
The most recommended for this discipline are:
- Knee braces with Velcro: This type of fastening is ideal for runners, since they do not feel the material directly and can apply the necessary pressure. There are many models with this system on the market, so it is not difficult to acquire them.
- Knee supports with hinges: This is a type of fastening that allows you to have much more stability and support. This material is mainly used in clothing that gives more stability to the knee. So if you have an injury, this is just what you need.
- Neoprene knee sleeves: Most of these garments are made of this material because it easily adheres to the skin. For training or physical activities, you can use it alone, but when running, it is advisable to use an additional material such as Velcro for extra support.
Size
The size of the knee brace is also important, because if it is not the right size, it can fall down and not have the desired effect, or on the contrary, it can be so tight against the skin that it does not allow mobility and even restricts blood circulation. There are a number of models that are adjustable, but there are also those that require sizing. To find out which model you have, you need to measure the contour of the knee with a tape measure and compare the results with the chart provided by the manufacturer.
Design
Design is a subjective matter because everyone has different tastes and styles. What matters with the knee brace is that it performs its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and compressive function, but ideally it is anatomically designed to adapt to the body's movements.
But if you still want to feel fashionable and stylish, you can do that with this garment. It comes in all colors and shapes, so you can choose the one you like the most. So not only will you feel comfortable and protected on the inside, but you will also show it on the outside.
Price
From a certain amount, you will have to evaluate all the above features to determine the garment you need to purchase according to your needs, since it is a product that will change the way you train and do your runs, allowing you to do them in a safer and optimal way.
The prices of compression sports knee braces vary, with the most expensive models offering the best quality and durability and guaranteeing good performance. If you have a healthy knee and want to continue running, you need to take this into consideration.
Do compression knee sleeves really work for running?
Although injuries should ideally not be a part of a runner's life, they are common, especially in the knees since they are constantly being used. Protecting them should be a priority for any runner if they want to continue their sport, and the best solution is to use these compression garments.
The knee braces for running serve their purpose in every way: they improve blood circulation and performance, relieve pain, protect the affected area and even allow a quick recovery by simply placing them on the knee.
There is no doubt about how dangerous and easy it is to get injured while running. So, it's best to prevent and use sports compression knee sleeves when possible to live a healthier and safer sports life.