There are a number of different knee braces that can be effective in helping relieve pain from patellar tendonitis. The best knee brace for patellar tendonitis will depend on the severity of your condition and your individual needs.
For milder cases, a neoprene sleeve or simple supportive brace may be enough to provide relief. For moderate to severe cases, however, other kinds of knee braces may be necessary, such as knee straps, hinged braces, and patella stabilizers.
In general, it is important to choose a brace that is comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time.
Even though these braces have been chosen by our team of physical therapists, you should also consult with your doctor or physical therapist to make sure that you are choosing the best possible option for your individual situation.
We’ve tested more knee braces than we can even remember. And, using our strict criteria (more on this later), we narrowed them down. So, without further ado, here are the 10 best knee braces for patellar tendonitis!
Our Top 3 Picks:
Best Overall: MyCocoon Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
The most versatile and unique knee sleeve we’ve ever tested. Useful for all stages of your recovery.
Best Value for Money: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
On top of its affordable price, we think this brace is the most well-rounded knee sleeve on this list.
Best Strap: IPOW 2 Pack Knee Pain Relief
Specifically made for tendonitis, this is an all-sport knee strap that can help you manage your pain.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best Knee Brace for Patellar Tendonitis
1. MyCocoon Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Unique heat and cold therapy
- Lycra and hydrogel for superior comfort
- Double-stitched for added durability
- Can be used for other body parts
Cons
- A little pricey
- One-color only
The MyCocoon Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve is the most unique knee support we’ve ever tested. Not to mention its incredible versatility. It provides all the benefits of a traditional sleeve. But, it also doubles as an adjustable hot/cold compression tool. This makes it perfect for knees with patellar tendonitis.
Comfort and Stability
MyCocoon’s knee sleeves are so great because they use lycra and hydrogel. The combination helps to make it one of the best braces around, as few others can offer that same quality. That said, the hydrogel provides the hot and cold therapeutic benefits of the cocoon. You can microwave the sleeves for 10-30 seconds. Or, you can freeze them for at least 2 hours.
In certain parts of your recovery, you will need both. It’s also heavier than most knee sleeves. The extra weight adds a bit more therapeutic compression. Despite its weight, though, MyCocoons stay well in place and don’t bunch up behind your knee. Overall, everything about these sleeves screams recovery.
Size options: S, M, L. (These sizes will fit other joints; not just your knee)
Color options: Black
Durability and Quality
The cocoons are double-stitched for durability and the hydrogels in it won’t leak. Not only that, lycra has a reputation for being more sturdy than even natural rubber.
Who this brace is for
This brace is for those of you who are looking for a knee sleeve that you can use during all parts of your recovery. Heck, you can even use it after to help prevent your tendonitis from coming back.
Who this brace isn’t for
This brace probably isn’t your best choice if you have other knee problems that cause instability. Like, ligament and meniscus tears, for example. For the record, MyCocoons do offer a bit of support but for sprains, a knee brace with hinges would likely be better.
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Available in 6 different sizes
- Easy to put on
- Effectively reduces swelling and pain
- Comfortable fit
- Made from premium grade latex-free neoprene material
Cons
- Runs a little big
- Can slide down if you machine wash it.
Patellar Tendonitis (jumper’s knee) is an issue in the main tendon in your knee. The patella (kneecap) attaches to the shinbone through a tendon. When this tendon becomes inflamed, soreness and stiffness occur.
The ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve keeps your knee in the perfect position without straining your tendon while standing or walking.
This knee brace is designed to bring you the extra support and strength you need around your legs. The sleeve won’t limit your knee’s range of motion at all.
It’s the perfect ally against patellar tendonitis: The sleeve will help you reduce swelling, minimize pain, and help you on your road to recovery every step of the way.
The knee sleeve is soft and pliable. You will never have an issue wearing what you would like while using the brace. Sit down in a comfortable position and pull the sleeve up like a sock, then get dressed as you normally would.
While you cannot wash your knee brace in a washing machine, you can wipe it down with non-abrasive soap. Air dry for about an hour.
Keep in mind you should always hand wash this knee sleeve, using warm water and soap. Never put it in the dryer or washer.
3. IPOW 2 Pack Knee Pain Relief
Pros
- Can be worn with a compression sleeve
- Can effectively relieve the pain caused by patellar tendonitis
- Easily adjustable
- Gentle enough on the skin
Cons
- Won’t fit knees that have a circumference of more than 10-18 inches.
The IPOW 2-pack knee brace comes with features that can work best for those suffering from patellar tendonitis.
These features can help the patient to manage the pain even better. This knee brace is worn in such a way that it’ll hug the kneecap’s lower area, helping to ease the pain that comes with this condition.
It’s secured below the kneecap in order to hold the affected tendon, which helps you to fully recover.
This knee brace is made to fit into the curves of your knee to provide the utmost support that it needs and to give you relief from your patella.
This knee brace comes in only one size and it’s designed to fit knees with a circumference of around 10 to 18 inches.
But what’s great about this knee brace is that it’s fully adjustable. Some users wear a compression sleeve with this knee brace, which is especially beneficial for those with swollen knees.
When it comes to comfort, this knee brace doesn’t disappoint.
In fact, you may not notice that you’re wearing a brace. Above all, it’ll stay in place regardless of how you move, which means that it can fully support and protect your patella.
The material used for this product is a high-quality fabric that’s breathable and won’t lead to skin irritation even when worn for a long period of time.
Related: Best Patella Knee Straps
4. Hueglo Dual Patella Knee Strap
Pros
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Equipped with strong medical-grade Velcro
- Helps to reduce pain brought about by patellar tendonitis and other knee related injuries
- Made from high-quality materials that improve comfort
- Perfectly hugs your knee and would stay fit on the kneecap regardless of how you move
- The strap is adjustable and can fit most knee sizes
Cons
- Can’t fit knees with a circumference of more than 12-17 inches
It’s important to choose a knee brace that can provide extreme support on your knees, so you’ll heal from the pain brought about by your patellar tendonitis.
When it comes to support, this Dual Patella Knee Strap would be perfect.
This knee strap will enclose both the lower and upper portion of your kneecap, which is what you need in order to heal fast.
Aside from providing your knees with utmost support, this knee brace is durable.
It’s made of high-quality materials that are guaranteed to last for a long time. These materials are gentle on the skin and won’t cause any irritation.
Featuring a double strap design that’ll hug your knee, this knee brace can provide just the right amount of compression to help you recover fast.
It’s not only suitable for those suffering from patellar tendonitis, but also for other patients who need to deal with an injured knee joint.
This Hueglo Dual Patella Knee brace has adjustable straps equipped with medical-grade Velcro that fixes the brace in place.
For added compression, a knee sleeve can be worn with this knee brace.
The sleeve can offer more support to the area surrounding the knee, especially the area that braces can’t reach.
As for the sizing, this knee brace is designed to fill all knee sizes, up to a maximum circumference of 12-17 inches.
5. Braceability Patellar Tendon Knee Strap Brace
Pros
- Covers entire width of patellar tendon
- Comfortable with non-slip design
- Top-grade quality
- Multiple size options
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Slightly pricey for a knee strap
- Does not come in pairs
Braceability has an almost endless amount of knee supports. But, for dealing with the pain that comes with patellar tendonitis, this is their best one.
It’s wide enough that it does an amazing job at covering the width of your patellar tendon, and so comfortable that it won’t irritate your skin. The non-slip interior helps keep it in place, too, so you get optimal pressure relief all through out your activities.
Although, it does come at a slightly higher price than IPOW especially considering it doesn’t come as a pair. This would have been higher on our list otherwise. However, it’s still worth looking at.
For one, It’s more durable. Second, its quality is superior. Third, it fits better because it also comes in more sizes. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, Braceability’s customer service is top-notch. So, if you somehow ordered the wrong size, getting it replaced shouldn’t be a hassle.
6. DonJoy Performance Webtech Short Knee Brace
Pros
- Unique and stylish design
- Evenly distributes pressure
- Keeps kneecap in place
- Pressure relief on patellar tendon
Cons
- Expensive
The DonJoy Performance WEBTECH Short Knee Support Brace will allow you to continue enjoying your favorite sports while protecting the integrity of your knees.
It offers excellent support and comes with excellent features, such as the 3-part system that helps to relieve pain resulting from the most common types of knee injuries, including tendonitis.
What we love most about this knee brace, though, is it’s distinct design. It truly is one of the most unique knee supports we’ve seen to this day – and it’s not just for show.
It helps evenly distribute pressure all throughout your knees, effectively keeps your knee cap in place, and comfortable presses down on your patellar tendon.
It’s on the higher end of the price range, though.
7. McDavid Knee Brace
Pros
- Can be customized according to your needs
- Equipped with an adjustable strap that allows you to control the compression
- Strong medical-grade Velcro
- Unisex design
Cons
- Some customers complained that they have developed blisters from using this knee brace
When you’re suffering from patellar tendonitis, you’ll most likely feel pain under the kneecap area. This is why you need a knee brace that can provide support in this part of your knee.
The best supportive knee brace is this McDavid Knee Brace. This brace provides support and protection to your knees and it’s specially designed to help patients suffering from patellar tendonitis and other knee-related injuries.
This McDavid Knee Brace hug around your knee joint, which is why it’s one of the best knee braces for patellar tendonitis. It comes with adjustable straps on the upper and lower portion, which provides support and compression.
When tightened, the brace will provide just the right amount of compression to help minimize the pain that comes with tendonitis.
This McDavid Knee Brace won’t only stabilize the pain and support the knee, but it also works by providing enough compression around the joints, which is what’s needed for your swollen knee to heal fast.
8. Pro-Tec Athletics The Lift Knee Support
Pros
- Available in four different sizes
- Helps to alleviate all kinds of knee-related conditions
- Made from Infrapatellar elastic strap
- You have full control over the amount of compression
Cons
- Some users complained that the brace is a bit tight
The Pro-Tech Athletics is one of the best-rated knee braces online and a lot of customers are pleased with it.
It can effectively alleviate pain brought about by tendonitis, chondromalacia, and other related conditions.
This uniquely designed knee brace provides maximum support on the knee and offers therapeutic warmth that helps the patient to heal fast.
What makes this knee brace stand out from the rest is that it has an elastic strap that gives a gentle lift on the patella. This helps to relieve the pressure applied on the knee and makes healing faster.
You’ll be able to easily regulate the elastic strap of this brace allowing you to customize the compression or support that you find comfortable.
9. TechWare Pro Knee Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Available in 3 different sizes
- Easy to fit
- Equipped with 3D process technology
- Made from breathable and comfortable knitted fabric
Cons
- Some customers complained about the bad stitching on the brace
What makes the TechWare Pro Knee Compression Sleeve unique is that it comes with a patella gel pad.
This feature makes this knee brace perfect for people suffering from patellar tendonitis. Since this product comes in the form of a knee sleeve, many customers assume that it’s not going to work for patellar tendonitis.
But thanks to the gel pad, this brace is good enough for anyone suffering from this painful condition. The gel pad is placed around the kneecap in order to provide support. This helps the patient to heal fast.
This product isn’t like your usual knee sleeve. It provides compression to your injured knee by hugging the knee joint gently.
Plus, it’s made from comfortable material that’s gentle and soft enough on your skin. This knee brace is available in different sizes, from medium to extra-large.
However, it’s worth noting that the sleeve of this brace isn’t adjustable.
10. Noova Knee Brace for Meniscus Tear-Open Patella
Pros
- Breathable material
- Durable
- Extra U-shaped padding
- Made from high-quality materials
Cons
- Some users complained that the size is not universal
If you need a knee brace that’s capable of providing enough stability and support to your weak knee, the Noova Knee Brace is worth checking out.
This knee brace perfectly wraps around your knee in order to provide the best compression and support to the joint. Thus, it’s a great choice for those suffering from patellar tendonitis.
This knee brace is made from a comfortable neoprene material that allows your skin to breathe. As such, the accumulation of moisture can be prevented and your skin won’t get irritated.
This is essential because an irritated skin won’t only make you feel uncomfortable but will also lengthen the amount of time you’ll need to heal from your condition.
What Are the Benefits of Knee Braces for Patella Tendonitis?
Knee braces can have numerous benefits if you’re experiencing a patella tendonitis. From aiding recovery to preventing damage, here are some of them.
Offers Stability to the Knee
A knee brace offers stability to your joint, which is why you’ll be able to recover faster.
It also helps to prevent further aggravation on the injured joint, which could slow down the healing process.
It’s best to choose a knee brace that comes with hinges as it can help prevent the wobbly feeling that you’ll feel after suffering an injury on your knee.
Relieves Pain
The best knee brace offers an unloading effect on the injured area, which somehow relieves it of the pain. That’s because the brace could minimize the direct pressure that the upper leg tends to put onto your knee, resulting in pain relief.
If the pain is minimized, you’re most likely to recover fast since it’ll be easier for you to participate in your physical therapy program.
Prevents Hyperextension
The right knee brace can prevent the extending of the knee beyond the normal range of motion that could further worsen the condition.
Also known as hyperextension, this condition can increase the pain from tendonitis.
Improves Blood Circulation
Wearing a knee brace applies pressure on the injured area, which encourages blood circulation.
Blood circulation brings in more oxygen and new nutrients to the affected area, which could speed up the healing process.
Remember that one of the biggest benefits of wearing a brace is that it helps you move often, which is an important aspect of your recovery.
May Help Avoid Surgery
It’s important to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you end up with patella tendonitis for an extended period. Most physicians will advise against surgery.
Instead, they’ll have you rehabilitate your knee and encourage the use of a knee brace. You may also be asked to undergo physical therapy.
Wearing the best knee brace for patella tendonitis can help to potentially avoid surgery, which means you can save yourself the hassle of recovery and spending thousands on medical bills!
Boosts Confidence
People suffering from patella tendonitis are rehabilitated with the help of physical therapy.
Oftentimes, those who suffer from this condition feel hesitant to perform certain exercises or bearing weight while suffering from the injury.
The knee brace can help boost their confidence since it gives them the assurance they need to participate in their physical therapy and recover from the injury.
FAQ
Can the knee brace cause your knee muscles and ligaments to weaken?
It may or may not. If you’ve gotten overly reliant on the brace then it can weaken your muscles and ligaments.
However, if you’ll only use the brace when performing strenuous activities or when recovering from patellar tendonitis, it’s unlikely to happen.
Conclusion
Of all the braces featured above, it’s the MyCocoon that we believe is the best, largely because you can use it on all stages of your rehab.
Having said that, you do have other options.
For example, ArmaJoint’s Compression Sleeve is a great choice for all purposes, so you won’t go wrong with it. IPOW’s knee strap is an affordable strap. Braceability’s knee strap is slightly more expensive but is also better quality.
Overall, though, it all comes down to you and your preference. If neither of these knee supports work, you can always rely on our guide to help you make the right choice.
