Common Running Injuries And Managing Knee Pain With A Brace

Running is a great way of keeping fit and getting out in the fresh air, something we should all make the most of in this country while the weather permits. There also a number of major running events scheduled over the coming months so the sunshine couldn't come at a better time to be out training and preparing the body and mind.

If you're planning to partake in an event then training and preparation is essential as you can't simply turn up to a marathon without any training and expect to finish it or to come away without some serious aches and pains. Once you pick your event, pick a training programme and stick to it so that your body and mind have time to gradually build up to the required distance which can also minimise the risk of injury.

Knee injuries are common in runners simply because of the forces being placed on the joint in carrying your body weight. The surface you run on can also impact on this with road running placing more pressure on the joints as there is no cushioning in the ground which makes for a heavier impact on the knees.

Knee bracing in a nutshell

There are a variety of knee braces available depending on the nature of the condition you wish to manage. Diagnosis is essential in being able to select the correct treatment programme for you including physiotherapy and bracing.

Depending on which one you select there are two key functions of a knee brace:

Compression: helping to manage inflammation which can in turn help in the management of pain and allow you to remain active for longer.

Stability: where there is damage to the ligaments and weight bearing is a problem then a ligament brace should be used, with the straps acting as external ligaments to support the knee when mobile.

Sports bracing is manufactured from breathable material and designed to be worn when active and to manage specific injuries so that you are able to remain active for longer.

Compression bracing

The two main materials used in compression bracing are neoprene and BioSkin. The former is very common and whilst it does offer a good level of compression and is breathable the material itself can be quite thick and therefore the temperature of the affected region cannot always be maintained.

BioSkin is a manufacturer of a bespoke material, with a number of variants available. They pride themselves on offering a higher level of compression compared to neoprene whilst still being breathable to keep you cool when active. This type of product is popular amongst sporting professionals and the military due to its performance properties.

Ligament bracing (stability)

There are two types of stability or ligament bracing available in either a soft knee support and a rigid support. A soft support is very similar to a compression support however in addition to managing inflammation the straps on the device act as external ligaments to offer a greater level of support and control when moving. Where there is damage to the ligaments within the joint the ability to walk, run and jump can be compromised, with a ligament knee support typically used as part of your rehabilitation.

A rigid knee support is something typical of extreme sports where there has been damage sustained to the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) on in deed as a means of protecting the knee prophylactically. These products are manufactured from lightweight yet super strong material such as carbon fibre which can withstand high impact.

40% of all ACL injuries are sustained in extreme sports such as skiing, snowboarding, motocross and wakeboarding and where surgery is required a patient may be out of action for up to a year. With this in mind many opt to wear a rigid knee support as a preventative measure as well as those who have sustained ligament damage in the past and know the impact it has on them.

If you are unsure as to the nature of an injury and how it should be treated you should speak with a medical professional.

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