Pro-Tec Athletics Knee Pro-Tec Patellar Tendon Strap, Alleviates Patellar Discomfort, Tendinitis, Chondromalacia, Patello-Femoral Discomfort, Osgood-Schlatter's, Moderate Compression, Medium

Thanks to this little device, I can now walk. Almost a year ago I suffered a knee cap fracture. Months later, after I was no longer wearing an immobilizing brace, I started having all sorts of discomfort in my lower leg and foot, whenever I tried to walk. For about two months I couldn't go anywhere without struggling. I described my symptoms to my doctor, including a dull pain I'd described on previous visits: just below my knee cap. He seemed stumped. He talked about doing EMG nerve testing on my leg and expressed regret that the procedure would be painful. Later that day I looked up EMG (patient reviews) on the internet, and quickly decided I would rather serve time in a federal prison, than subject myself to this barbaric procedure.So I spent more internet time reading about various injuries and how to treat them. I typed in questions about everything that seemed pertinent, including the dull discomfort I sometimes felt, just below the knee. I soon learned that this was the location of the patellar tendon, and eventually read about patellar tendon straps, including this particular one on Amazon, which seemed to have good reviews. The whole idea of a tendon strap struck me as being kind of a long shot. After all, the larger, more substantial braces I'd ordered in recent weeks, hadn't eased my discomfort at all. Why should something that resembles a garter belt make a difference?Besides, I was only experiencing a very dull pain in the patellar tendon itself, and not all that often. Most of my distress was in the lower leg and foot...a sometimes painful, sometimes tingly, but always exhausting sensation when I walked -- almost as though I were trying to make my leg move in a manner that was unnatural. So maybe a tendon strap wasn't even what the situation called for. I wasn't too hopeful, but I didn't want to pass this possibility up either. One article I'd read, had said that sometimes a strained patellar tendon can cause discomfort in the lower leg and foot, so I figured it was worth a try.The afternoon the tendon strap arrived, I was feeling more down in the dumps than usual. It had been an especially bad day. I saw the package on the door step, picked it up, opened it, then sat down on a nearby chair to put the strap on, just below my right knee. I remember mumbling to myself about all the money I'd been wasting on gadgets that didn't even help.I stood up, tried to take a few steps... and soon realized that I was walking without the nagging discomfort I'd been dealing with for weeks. All of this happened INSTANTLY! I could barely feel the disquieting sensations at all! They were like faint echoes. I took the strap off and tried to walk...then put the strap back on. Yes...it made an enormous difference when the strap was on. HUGE! For the first time since my knee injury, I could walk in a natural manner, without having to struggle.After about an hour of strutting around the house in a state of utter elation, my calf started cramping like crazy. I took the strap off immediately. For about three days, I couldn't walk at all, except for a painful hobble... from the bed to the bathroom or kitchen, then back to the bed. I can't deny that my outlook was bleak at this point. I cried several times. But I kept thinking about the hour I'd so recently spent, walking without distress. Surely the patellar strap had been effective, at least for a while.After a few days of icing, heating, massaging, stretching etc. the cramping subsided. One morning I nervously put the tendon strap back on, then took a few steps. Instantly, the lower leg distress was gone, just like when I first tried the strap. Only, this time, I proceeded more carefully: I wore the strap for about fifteen minutes, then took it off and discontinued my walking efforts. I relied heavily on crutches. I repeated this pattern for several days, taking care to remove the tendon strap the moment I started to notice any kind of cramping at all. One time, the cramping came back and lingered for several hours. Another time, it lasted a couple of days. But always and eventually it subsided.All of this happened about 7 months ago. These days, I wear the strap whenever I'm up and about. I go to shopping centers, movies, grocery stores...on foot! (I don't have a car.) Cramping? Hardly ever! On the other hand, if I walk for more than 3 or 4 minutes without the strap, the lower leg distress comes back, although not as intensely as before. I feel so very grateful for having found this little invention. It still amazes me that something, so small, could make such an enormous difference in the quality of my life. This experience has been very humbling, and it has renewed my faith in life's possibilities.When I first showed my doctor the strap that had made such a huge difference for me, he said, "Oh, you found one of those." His response surprised me. "You know about these tendon straps?" I asked. "Yes," he replied, "We recommend them to our athletes sometimes." (I'm a senior citizen, a "non-athlete.") "I wish I'd known about this," I commented, "Why didn't you tell me?" "You never said anything about pain in your patellar tendon," he replied. Clearly it was time to find a new doctor.

I have seen these a few years now and ignored them, thinking they couldn't possibly work. My knees are bad. I used to squat a lot of weight and I did it for years. I also blew an ACL a few years ago. The knees aren't young anymore and they ache constantly. Jumping too much causes great discomfort too. I love to play volleyball though and that's why I ordered. Great move. When I strap up, I don't feel pain. It's amazing! I started running again and though I might feel a bit of pain later in the evening, and have to take a couple ibuprofen, when I'm out and about, I feel great! I also started biking again. I got a new bike this last fall and I can pedal again! I even go on long rides and my knees don't hurt.I doubt the brand really makes any difference. I think all these straps do the same thing, but.. I'm still super happy with my decision to buy these. They've made a big difference in being able to stay active and I plan on ordering a new pair any time. They're just great to have on hand!

I ordered this item 6 years ago, and medium fit perfectly. Apparently, their sizing has changed in the meantime, because medium barely wraps around my calf. And the band needs to wrap around and then go through the clip and attach to the velcro. Must be sized for a child. Next surprise: Even though the page says that the item is available for returns and replacements, when I tried to return, it turned out it is not eligible. Fortunately, Amazon customer service was able to assist me with a refund. So: either order XL or don't bother (unless you are a kid or have kid-sized calves).

I sometimes have tendonitis on the outside of my knees. So I got this, hoping it would help. Indeed, it does. It seems to reduce or stop the pain when my tendonitis flares up. Also, its shape makes it really convenient to wear under the pants.The only caution is about its size. According to the maker's sizing chart, I got small, but it is really tight. After wrapping around, it barely has anything length left to secure it in place. A few hours of wearing leaves a deep red mark on my leg (though I didn't feel much discomfort from it, neither did my lower leg turned purple from the restriction). Some reviewers mentioned that it tends to stretch easily and loose its elasticity, and maybe it is meant to be really tight to secure the tendons/muscles, so I decided to keep the small size instead of exchanging it for a medium. So far, it has worked well.

I really like this brand. It’s stays snug under knee cap when running and sweaty. I tried another brand where the plastic support under knee would slip when sweaty. This material does not do that and it’s easy to wash as well.

I ignored the reviews that said the sizing runs small. That was my mistake. Unfortunately, this does run small mainly because the velcro attachment on the front of the knee runs short. I compared this strap to my older Pro-Tec Patellar strap of the same size and the and the whole strap is the same length except the new one has a shorter velcro attachment so you have to cinch the strap tighter to get it to close or attach.

I am really pleased with this product. I own the Nike and the McDavid's version of the runner's knee brace and this Pro-Tech far surpasses them on comfort and ease of getting the brace fit quickly. This brace feels very good and you don't notice it as you run. The Pro-Tech brace stays comfortable even on 26.2 mile run, and that is saying something! It does not cut off your circulation like the Nike one does and it far more easy to get a comfortable fit than the McDavid. I am ones of those people who will keep buying different brands until I am satisfied with the results. The brace does stretch a little after the first couple of uses but no big deal. This does not hinder the fit in any way. This brace has totally help eliminate the pain in my right knee. I still wear it on long or hilly runs for the added support. Hope this helps.

I had ACL surgery on my left knee several years ago, and the graft was taken from my patellar tendon. Before using this strap, I could only make it a mile or 2 into a run before I began experiencing knee pain that would end my run and result in me limping home. Now, since using this strap, I can run with no pain and I've gone as far as 7 miles, something I thought I would never be able to do! Even after my workout, when I have taken off the strap, there is no lingering pain in my knee.

Best Patellar Tendon Strap I have used. Stays in place when doing any level of activity. Make sure you order the correct size.

too big send back

質感としっかりとした商品でした。

nothing more to say. Five stars says it all.

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