How to determine which type – sleeve, wrap or strap – is right for you.
First, let’s acknowledge that we are leaving out an entire category of knee braces and supports: the structural knee braces that may be recommended by your medical professional as a post-surgical device for advanced levels of stability and support. An example would be a hinged knee brace worn during mid to late-stage rehab after ACL surgery.
This article will address less severe but more common injuries such as tendinitis, IT band syndrome, chondromalacia, and other repetitive strain/overuse injuries to the knee. In most cases, a knee support that you can purchase on your own at your local run specialty store or one of the better outdoor/sporting goods retailers like REI will suffice. This should be combined with any diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation protocol you receive from a medical professional. Once you determine that you have a mild to moderate repetitive strain or overuse injury such as IT band syndrome, patellar tendinitis, chondromalacia, arthritis, or general knee pain/weakness, here are three knee support categories that you should consider:
KNEE SLEEVES
Most knee sleeves provide general warmth and compression, which is beneficial for a wide range of injuries like arthritis, moderate strains, and general knee pain. However, sleeves do not provide the targeted compression you may need to stabilize an area, such as in the case of patellar tendinitis or iliotibial band syndrome. Knee sleeves are typically made from either neoprene, which provides more warmth due to its thickness but less breathability, or knit material, which is usually cooler and more breathable than neoprene and may offer medical-grade compression. [Click here for examples of neoprene knee sleeves.] [Click here for examples of knit medical-grade compression knee sleeves.]
KNEE WRAPS
One of the benefits of a knee wrap is the ability to control the amount of compression. This allows you to apply pressure in specific target areas. Knee wraps can be an effective choice for achieving patellar stability and moderate overall knee joint support. An example of a knee wrap that applies even compression above and below the knee to help with patellar tracking is the X-Trac knee support.
KNEE STRAPS
Many repetitive strain and overuse injuries, such as IT band syndrome and chondromalacia, benefit from targeted compression to a certain area of soft tissue. This is effectively provided by supportive straps with a built-in compression pad that focuses pressure where you need it. For example, the IT Band compression wrap features a customized, high-density pad for firm compression on the IT band, a tough fibrous band on the outside of your leg/knee area. Another example of a targeted compression strap is the Knee Pro-Tec patellar tendon strap, which applies direct pressure on the patellar tendon to stabilize the tendon helping alleviate conditions of patellar tendinitis.
Remember, your first step towards recovery is to correctly diagnose your injury, often with the help of a medical professional. Once you identify what is causing the issue, finding the right knee support, whether it be a sleeve, wrap, or strap, is that much easier. No, this does not mean you are suddenly off to the races but it does mean that with the aid of compression and support, you are reducing strain and stabilizing the area, reducing the chance of further injury.
