Running with an injury doesn’t just take the fun out of the activity and make it painful, but it can also significantly worsen the severity of the injury. This is especially true if you suffer from bursitis.
Enter knee braces.
Knee braces are highly recommended for runners with knee bursitis. The compression and support that knee braces offer can alleviate pain and inflammation, boost comfort, and promote faster recovery.
Today, we’re sharing a detailed guide on knee braces and reviewing our top 5 picks to help you find the best knee brace for bursitis.
What Is Knee Bursitis?
The knee joint houses small sacs filled with fluid, each one known as a bursa. Their job is to provide cushioning and reduce friction between the muscles, tendons, bones, and skin in the knee area.
When one or more of these sacs gets inflamed, the resulting condition is called bursitis.
knee bursitis usually results from the following:
- Overusing the joint in strenuous physical activities, such as regular running and other sports or jobs that put pressure on the knee joint.
- Regular and prolonged pressure on the knee joint. For example, kneeling frequently on hard surfaces for extended periods.
- Sustaining a direct sharp blow to the knee.
- Complications associated with gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis in the knee joint.
- The bursa got infected by bacteria.
How to Know if You Suffer From Knee Bursitis
If you’re suspecting a knee injury, you should schedule a doctor’s visit to get a proper diagnosis. That said, there are some common symptoms associated with knee bursitis that you can observe in your injury as an initial verdict.
Symptoms of Knee Bursitis
Unless your knee got a sharp blow, the symptoms of bursitis will start mild and gradually increase in severity. These symptoms include:
- Pain in the joint that gets worse with movement and lingers when at rest.
- Inflammation of the knee.
- Stiffness in the knee joint.
- Swelling of the knee.
- A sense of tenderness or warmth in the knee area.
- Decreased range of motion of the knee joint.
- Possible bruising.
- Fever if the bursitis is due to a bacterial infection.
How Can a Knee Brace Help With Knee Bursitis?
A knee brace offers several benefits for runners suffering from knee bursitis as follows:
- They can alleviate pain by providing compression and stability to joints.
- The compression they provide improves blood flow through the joint to reduce inflammation.
- By decreasing pain, inflammation, and pressure on the knee joint, the recovery process will take a shorter time.
How to Choose the Best Knee Brace for Bursitis
If you want to find the best knee brace for bursitis, you should base your choice on certain features to ensure your knee gets the required support and pain-relieving effect. Here are the main factors to consider:
Style
Knee braces are available in multiple types of styles to address various physical health requirements for different injuries and activities.
Common knee brace styles include sleeves, supports, stabilizers, hinges, open patella, and closed patella.
Knee brace sleeves mainly provide compression and heat to the joint. They’re easy to wear thanks to their slip-on design. This is the top-recommended knee brace style for runners with bursitis.
Knee supports are braces that you wrap around your knee and adjust according to the level of compression and stability you want to feel. This is also a good option for runners suffering from bursitis.
Stabilizers keep the patella from moving during activities using steel springs that reside on either side, whereas knee braces with hinges deliver decent support while letting your knee move more freely than other styles.
As for open patella knee braces, they give added flexibility by reducing the pressure on the knee cap.
On the other hand, closed patella braces offer support and compression to the entire knee joint.
Size
Next, you should figure out the right size for your knee brace. This is a crucial feature because it has a direct impact on the effectiveness of the knee brace.
You’ll come across some knee braces with a one-size-fits-all design, but we recommend you stay away from these. A personalized fit is key in managing injuries such as bursitis that require high compression.
Luckily, most knee braces come in multiple sizes that provide different levels of support, compression, and comfort.
Different brands will have you select a size depending on measurements above, below, and/or across the knee.
You should make sure that the fit of your knee brace isn’t too tight or too loose. Your goal is to have it fit around your knee snugly without causing pain.
Material
The last feature we’ll discuss before diving into our reviews is the material of the knee brace.
As a runner, your knee brace should be made out of durable fabric to resist the wear and tear of running regularly.
It should also be breathable and moisture-wicking to keep your skin comfortable and dry.
5 Best Knee Braces for Bursitis
Now, let’s take a closer look at our top picks for men’s and women’s knee braces for bursitis:
1. MODVEL Knee Brace Compression Sleeve
If you’re looking for an all-around best knee brace for bursitis, the MODVEL Knee Compression Sleeve is one of the best options on the market. It’s durable, affordable, and easy to use.
Key Features
- Made out of a nylon and latex blend.
- The material is moisture-wicking to keep your skin cool and dry.
- The fabric has a 4-way stretch design for maximum elasticity.
- Suitable for both right and left knees.
- Has a built-in silicone grip to prevent slipping and rolling.
- Doesn’t carry irritating labels or tags.
- Available in sizes ranging from X-small to XXX-large.
What People Say
Reviews on this knee brace are excellent. The vast majority of users are very impressed with the support and comfort it offers.
Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.
2. PowerLix Knee Brace Compression Sleeve
The PowerLix knee brace is another great option for runners with bursitis. It’s designed to boost your performance, so you can depend on it for optimal compression and support.
Key Features
- Made out of neoprene.
- The fabric is lightweight and breathable to prevent itchiness.
- The material is quick-absorbing to eliminate sweat and odors.
- Fitted with two anti-slip silicone gel strips to keep the brace in place.
- Has a special knitted design that looks stylish.
- Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee for 6 months.
- Available in sizes ranging from small to XX-large.
What People Say
Reviews on this knee brace are mostly positive. Users are generally happy with the support and flexibility of the brace, but a few reported some inconsistencies in length when they bought it again.
Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.
3. Bracoo Compression Knee Brace
If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable but still reliable, the Bracoo compression knee brace is a good choice. It’s sturdy and adjustable, so you’ll be getting lots of value for your money.
Key Features
- Made out of neoprene.
- Has an open-patella style.
- Equipped with adjustable straps that you can attach to pretty much any exterior point you want.
- Includes a stabilizer ring to keep your kneecap in a proper position while moving.
- The fabric is breathable and soft to minimize irritation, moisture, and odors.
- Suitable for both right and left knees.
- Fits knees of circumference from 12.5 to 18 inches.
What People Say
Reviewers were generally pleased with this knee brace. They like its support and mention that it does a nice job staying in place.
Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.
4. Pure Support Knee Brace Compression Sleeve
If you need a compression sleeve with extra support, you should consider the Pure Support knee brace. It’s designed to deliver plenty of compression and comfort, with additional features for stability.
Key Features
- Made out of polyamide and spandex blend.
- Uses an anti-slip silicone gel system.
- The fabric is highly breathable and sweat-wicking.
- Has additional double straps for extra support.
- Available in sizes ranging from small to XX-large.
What People Say
Users are generally happy with the relief this knee brace offers. Most of them are highly satisfied with the way it fits.
Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.
5. NEENCA Compression and Support Knee Brace
Last but not least, the NEENCA knee brace is specially designed to support people with joint pain and discomfort. It provides impressive performance at a reasonable price.
Key Features
- Comes with an open-patella design.
- Equipped with 4 spring stabilizers.
- Well-ventilated and moisture-wicking.
- Has a double-layer non-slip silicone ring.
- Available in sizes ranging from medium to XX-large.
What People Say
Reviews are generally positive on this knee brace. Users like the support and stability it offers. They also like its adjustability but some would like to see smaller sizes.
Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.
Enjoy Your Best Knee Brace For Bursitis
Knee braces can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, increase comfort, and promote faster recovery for runners with bursitis.
Our recommendation for the best knee brace for bursitis is the MODVEL Knee Brace Compression Sleeve.
Not only does it provide excellent compression and a proper fit, but it’s also durable, affordable, and easy to use.