How to wear a patellar strap correctly
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A patellar strap only works if the pad is on the tendon and stays there. Most "it did nothing" stories come down to placement. This takes a minute to get right.
Three steps
- Sit with the knee slightly bent. The tendon relaxes and the soft hollow directly under the kneecap is easy to find with a fingertip.
- Seat the pad in that hollow. Centered on the tendon, not on the shin and not on the kneecap itself. On the June Strap the metal D-ring sits to the outside of the leg so the tail is easy to reach.
- Pull the strap through the ring until snug, then press the tail down. Stand, take a few steps, and adjust once if it feels loose.
How tight is right
Snug enough that it does not shift when you walk. Loose enough that you never feel pins and needles. If your foot tingles or the skin under the strap goes pale, it is too tight; loosen a notch.
Over or under clothes
Under is best: on skin or over a thin sock-like layer. Over thin leggings works. Over jeans or work trousers the pad cannot press evenly, so slip it underneath.
The mistakes that make it useless
- Too low. On the shin, below the tendon. Nothing happens.
- Too high. Over the kneecap. Uncomfortable and pointless.
- Too tight. Numb foot, and you take it off after an hour.
- A strap that slides. Correct placement at 8 a.m. that has migrated by 10. This is a design problem, not a you problem, and it is the reason we built the June Strap around a gel-grip inner and a one-hand dial.
How long to wear it
All day is fine for most people. Take it off at night and give the skin a break if you notice rubbing. If you have worn it for a few weeks and the knee is not improving, get it looked at.
Photos of each step are on the fit guide.
See the June Strap: one size, $29.99, free US shipping, 60-day money-back guarantee.
Care of June makes a support strap, not a medical device. This article is general information, not medical advice. Persistent, swollen or unstable knees should be assessed by a clinician.