Runners Knee Brace For Additional Support & Pain Relief

A runners knee brace can provide additional support and pain relief at the same time. The braces are sometimes used to allow a player to continue with a game, if the pain is not debilitating or there is little swelling. Here's a look at some of the features you will find in the different braces on the market.

The smallest of the braces were designed by an orthopedic surgeon and are sold under the patented name "Kneed-IT". In addition to making use of compression therapy, which is the most common therapy found in the braces, the Kneed-IT brand makes use of magnet therapy, too.

The purpose of magnet therapy, as it relates to joints and bones is to reduce pain and improve blood flow. When the knees or other joints are inflamed or swollen, the cause is an immune system reaction to a perceived injury or infection.

A huge influx of white blood cells runs to the area, although in the case of runner's knee and similar problems, there is no infection and no need for the white blood cells. They can actually cause additional injury and/or damage to healthy tissues and joints. The magnets keep the blood moving.

Another patented runners knee brace is called the Cho-Pat. The renowned Mayo Clinic played a role in the development of the Cho-Pat braces. They make use of the compression therapy.

Compression therapy is the idea of placing a small amount of pressure on a tendon or joint in order to reduce stress somewhere else. In the case of the knees, the idea is to put pressure on the tendon below the kneecap, which improves the way that the kneecap moves over the joint.

Unlike the Kneed-it brand, which applies pressure only underneath the kneecap, the Cho-pat type applies pressure on the tendon above it, as well. This helps to strengthen the joints and reduces the risk of injury.

The heaviest runners knee brace provides the most support. The design has not been patented, as it is used in many therapeutic devices. Basically, the brace encompasses the entire knee, but leaves the area over the kneecap open, in order to allow for freedom of movement.

One of the exercises recommended for people that suffer from runner's knee is to move the kneecap in a circular motion, insuring that it is not "stuck". As long as the cap moves freely over the joint, injuries and pain are less likely. So, every good runners knee brace will leave the area over the kneecap open.

The latest materials for the braces include nylon and neoprene. Neoprene is one of the least likely materials to cause allergic reactions. It is a major component of diver's wetsuits. There may be some sweating in the area where the brace touches the skin. In order to reduce that, talcum powder or an antiperspirant cream or spray can be used.

A runners knee brace is usually durable enough to be worn again and again. So, once you decide which style is right for you, don't worry too much about the price. You should get your money's worth.