A patellar tendon strap is a belt that sets on your knee to provide support. It is an instant yet magical solution that settles the pain in your knees.
The belt reduces the strain on your knees, especially on the patellar bone. It avoids excessive pressure or stress on the knee bone while giving it a maximum range of motion. It allows you to perform physical activity without any pain in your knees.
Why do you Need a Patellar Tendon Strap?
If you admire cricket or football, you might have seen that players have belts wrapped around their knees and legs. This is because these areas are the most affected when you engage in aggressive activities. These belts and pads protect them from any injury and also help in reducing pain.
If your job requires walking or standing for hours, your knees are prone to get inflamed or stiff since all the pressure goes down to your knees. The same goes for athletes and sportspeople who run and play for hours.
Many people worldwide face some sort of bone deformity or vitamin D plus calcium deficiency which results in weak bones. Ultimately, it all contributes to stress to the tendon on your patellar bone.
Simple activities like walking, running or jumping can cause pain in your knees. Even if that pain isn’t tormenting, it probably needs some intervention. You cannot ignore the knee pain to let it heal it on its own. Almost all of us can agree to this. The pain is highly irritating and thus prevents us from doing activities we perform on a daily basis.
How will the patellar tendon strap help you?
What are the benefits of a Patellar Tendon Strap?
Here is where the magic begins. The patellar tendon strap holds and helps in the alignment of the patellar tendon to your kneecap. It stabilizes the knee joint providing it full support while moving. Plus, it shifts the stress from the bone and acts like a stress absorber.
With that, you won’t feel stress or pain in your knees when performing different activities. Many of my patients have reported positive remarks regarding the usage of patellar tendon straps. If you wear the belt before beginning the exercises, it will prevent you from developing post leg and knee stiffness, plus there won’t be any significant pain in the joints too.
Tip: You need to wear it on the affected leg only.
A patellar tendon strap will help you if you have:
- Mild to moderate pain in your knees. (If the pain persists for more than two weeks, consult a physician)
- Stiff knees after exercising.
- If you run, jump, or walk a lot.
It is easy and highly convenient. You can wear it beneath your clothes when going out for work or chores. Even if you stand for long hours, you will feel highly comfortable in your shoes. (I know this all sounds like a melody to your ears!)
In a nutshell, it will serve as a band-aid for your knee joint, which will protect it from a potential knee sprain.
It is advantageous for people in older age as well. As you get older, your bones get weaker, which are more prone to get injured. In those cases, a patellar tendon strap aids flexible and smooth knee movement.
What is the Proper Technique to Wear a Patellar Tendon Strap?
This is the game-changer step. The technique is essential, and it has to be perfect to enjoy its benefits. Starting with the basic steps.
- First, you need to get a size that fits well with your patellar bone.
- Secondly, place the strap in such a way that the padding rests at the kneecap. It should completely fit the knee covering the patella.
- Fasten the belts and adjust it in such a way that it doesn’t fall back or displace when you stand up or walk.
Kindly refrain from putting excessive pressure on the knees. It will counteract the action and do the opposite of what is demanded from the patellar tendon strap. Moreover, it will further contribute to tendon pain and inflammation.
The strap puts a little pressure on the tendon enough to keep it attached to the knee bone and muscles. Overpressure might tighten the muscles resulting in a tingly feeling or strap marks when you unwrap the belt.
How Long Should you Wear the Tendon Belt for Patella?
Physiotherapists typically recommend patients wear for some hours in a day when they are doing some strenuous activity. Suppose if you are going for exercise, you should wear it before you begin warming up.
For people who want to wear it for knee pain, you may wear it when you take a nap or at night before you sleep. It can be worn overnight, but make sure that you don’t make it a habit.
A patellar tendon strap is a temporary solution for supporting the patella and its tendon. However, it shouldn’t become your lifestyle. You can wear it for two weeks in case of mild or moderate pain. If the pain persists for more than two weeks after using the belt, consult your orthopedic doctor or physiotherapist.
When Shouldn’t you Wear a Patellar Tendon Strap?
You should not wear it if:
- The pain starts when you start any activity. It could be a sign of any underlying issue that might need immediate treatment.
- Wearing the belt worsens the pain or results in numbness.
- If your legs have become stiff and tight.
Takeaway
The patellar knee strap is an adjustable belt that fixes on the knee tendon and supports its movement. It prevents muscle rigidity and tendon stiffness. It directs the pressure from activities from the patellar tendon by aligning the internal structures together. Plus, it is an excellent solution for short-term pain and tendon stiffness. However, it is not ideal for long-term usage.
Ask your doctor or physician in case of severe pain or if the pain doesn’t settle in 2 weeks after using a patellar tendon strap.
