UKC

I know ITBS (Iliotibial Band Syndrome aka Runners Knee) has been done on here a few times

Been reading this site - http://www.itbs.info/index.html
It recommends a product called a Patt Strap - http://www.fabrifoam.com/p-pattstrap.html

Anyone tried one ?

In reply to Chris the Tall:

ohhhh yes.

after lots of physio investigation, resulting in orthotics, I got fiendishly bad patella tendonitis, particularly in my right leg.

the patella strap was the main thing that sorted me out, together with exercise.

most knee supports are bollocks (particularly those neoprene ones - neither use nor ornament) but the patella strap made a significant difference to me. Mine had a 'lumpy bit' which pressed into the patella tendon, then it closed with a velcro closure at the back.

I recommend! I use mine in the gym, but don't use it when out on the hill as it gets in the way when stepping up (for instance when scrambling).

In reply to Chris the Tall:

mine's like this: http://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/products-Knee-Strap-Patella-Vulkan_VU7001.h...

In reply to CJD:
Do you use yours below or above the knee ?

All the photos show them below the knee, but it seems for ITBS they should be a couple of inches above.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

I used mine below, but when I've had ITBS I've been manipulating the ITB (funnily enough) so I can't see why they wouldn't work there.

I say definitely worth a try.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Sometimes I feel really stupid, like now.

I now know that the mystery pain on the side of my knee has got a name and it's not just 'a sore knee I get when I run'.

ITBS. Well there you go. I might have to do something about it now.

In reply to Chris the Tall: I enquired about one, think it was in the US, priced importing it, but decided to go with a programme of stretching instead. It's OK so far, niggles occassionally, but had ITBS for 3 years now. You never really get rid of it, just learn to manage it, I reckon.

I'd go for stretching first. If after a sustained programme of stretching, at least 30 minutes a day, it isn't improving then look elsewhere. Stretch everywhere not just your ITBS. hamstrings, gluts, quads all affect it.

In reply to nniff: Could be something else. ITBS is the most common, but the remedy is stretching so it will do you no harm to stretch and see if it improves.

In reply to IainRUK:

yeah - mine has been used in conjunction with stretching and other leg-sorting-out exercises.

In reply to IainRUK:
Had it for about 15 years !
Used to give me real problems after playing football

What really worked for me was a deep tissue massage, but having one of those before and after every run is a bit impratical. I do a lot of stretching before and after I go for a run, but it still kicks in when I run down hill.

In reply to IainRUK:

I've used one (well 2) for dodgy knees for years until I got orthotics which sorted me out properly. They did relieve the pain somewhat, but didn't prove a permenant solution. I used them below the knee.