Do you feel a little discomfort in your knees after running for a long time, and your parents often complain of knee pain when they are getting older? Should you buy a knee support for maintenance? This article will share some useful knowledge about knee pads. Different knee pads have different functions, before choosing a knee brace, it is recommended that a doctor or a physical therapist conduct a systematic assessment of the condition and function of the knee joint injury.

Hard knee pads–focus on protection

Hard knee pads are characterized by a protective layer made of hard materials in the front, which can protect the front of the knee joint from impact, and further absorb the impact through the next layer of buffer layer. The material between the good hard shell and the knee joint patella There is a certain degree of flexibility. Hard knee pads are mostly fixed with straps, which can be adjusted according to the person’s size and exercise habits. The improper design of simple straps will easily run to the middle of the knees during the activity, and also need to adjust the position. The elastic layer under hard knee pads is mostly made of compressed foam plastic, which can withstand large pressure but feels hard, so the comfort is not enough. If there is an elastic buffer layer under the hard knee pad, it will improve comfort. This kind of hard knee brace is mainly used in the period of regaining movement just after knee surgery. At this time, the strength of the knee joint after surgery is not enough, and a hard knee brace is needed for all-round protection. In addition, this kind of knee protection is often used in strenuous sports such as skiing and skating that have a greater impact on the knee joint.

Soft knee pads that are both light and strong

Soft knee pads are characterized by light weight, breathability, and easy to wear. They are mostly sleeve type. The material is very soft. The protective position is fully covered. It can be protected in place after being wrapped tightly. Thin soft knee pads basically do not have much protection, so the soft knee pads must choose a thicker knee pad to play a certain protective role. Try to choose a soft knee pad with a suitable size sleeve and strap. If the size is not selected properly, too tight will image local blood flow in the knee joint, and too loose will affect the protective function, and the fixed position of the soft knee brace needs to be adjusted frequently with the activity. This kind of soft knee brace reduces knee pain and swelling through a certain degree of compression. At the same time, most soft knee braces have an open hole design on the front side, which can stabilize the patella and avoid the abrasion and pain caused by excessive movement of the patella. The material is elastic and fits well, so it is suitable for sports. At the same time, the slight compression force of the knee brace also helps blood flow. It is a good choice for patients with chronic degenerative knee joints and long-term runners.

Simple and refreshing  patella belt

The patella support belt is simple in shape and is usually tied to the position below the patella of the knee joint. This part is called the “patella ligament” anatomically. A protective support belt is reinforced on this ligament to help disperse some accumulation during exercise. Excessive load on the patella ligament prevents further damage to the patella ligament, causing patellar tendinitis. After long-distance running, the anterior patellar ligament of the knee joint is prone to pain. The current main rehabilitation idea is to reduce the excessive traction of the patellar ligament during running. Wearing the patellar support belt during running is a very simple way to fix the patella ligament and disperse the pressure of the patella ligament. , Reduce the protection method of excessive pulling. For those who love long-distance running, if knee pads are troublesome, it is strongly recommended to wear a patella support belt to protect their knees. If the pain mainly occurs on the outside of the knee joint, the thickest part of the support belt can be pressed against the lateral collateral ligament, which can also play a corresponding role in cushioning support.

In general, choosing knee pads is actually very simple. According to actual needs, comprehensive consideration of the type, material, support position and elastic strength of the knee pads. Hope this article is helpful to you.