Patella tendon bandage

Introduction

The patellar tendon bandage is a narrow bandage that surrounds the upper lower leg, just below the knee. At this point, the base of the patellar tendon is located on a bulge at the upper edge of the tibia. The tendon tightens around the knee and performs important tasks in stretching the knee.

The kneecap, the so-called “patella”, is located inside the patella tendon and serves as a deflection of the tendon fibers. The muscle that moves the tendon is the strong quadriceps muscle of the thigh. Without it, stretching the knee and movements are almost impossible. The patellar tendon ligament exerts pressure on the tendon at its base and can thus partially relieve it. For many people, the area is a painful problem zone, which can be considerably alleviated by a bandage in everyday life.

These are the indications

The patella tendon brace has a therapeutic and a preventive effect component. Many sports are accompanied by a strain on the leg extensor muscles, for example, through long-term monotonous strain such as jogging or through rapid braking and acceleration in many ball sports. The tendon can rub against the bone below the knee and become a problem zone due to the constant strain.

The tendon fibres are irritated and can easily become inflamed. Thus, the tendon can be used for anterior knee pain, cartilage damage of the patella, tendon inflammation or the so-called “patellar tip syndrome“. Together with a reduction in sports, the patellar tendon brace can provide the necessary relief and promote healing of the irritation. In the case of expected complaints, for example in high-performance sports or if anterior knee pain has already occurred, the bandage can also be used preventively.

How does the patellar tendon bandage work?

The support is very narrow and anatomically adapted so that it can be applied directly to the transition from the shin bone to the knee joint. It presses on the patella tendon and the kneecap from below, thus relieving the tendons, bone attachments, the kneecap and the cartilage structures in the anterior knee in particular. At the same time, it increases stability in the knee joint and also counteracts movement restrictions.

On the inside of the patellar tendon support there are nubs that can exert pressure specifically on individual points. During movement, they massage the tendon and the musculature at the lower knee joint. The heat that forms underneath the bandage also helps to reduce inflammation and tendon irritation more quickly. In sports, the patella tendon support is also used preventively. The slight pressure on the knee joint can lead to movements being carried out more consciously and carefully, thus increasing stabilization in the joint and reducing the incidence of injuries.