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The Knee Journal

The Knee JournalPickleball6 min read

We scored every fix on three things that matter on court

Ranked: 8 things pickleball players try for knee pain. And the one that lets you keep playing.

By the Second Set teamWe make one of the things on this list. We've scored it honestly.
A pickleball player holds his knee just below the kneecap after a game

If your knee is fine during the match and grumpy the next morning, you've probably tried a few of these already. Here's how they compare, from the fix most people start with to the one we'd pick. Spoiler: number 2 matters as much as number 1.

We sell the strap in #1. We still put the free option at #2, because it's the truth.

How we scored them

  1. TodayDoes it let you play?Right now, at your next open play
  2. Two hoursDoes it last?No pulling it up, no peeling off
  3. Next morningHow do the stairs feel?The part that matters most
#8 · Most people try this first

Stopping for a few weeks

2/10

Calms it down. Doesn't change what caused it.

Frozen peas on a knee propped up on the sofa, the racket left unused
  • Gives the tendon a break
  • You lose your slots and your fitness
  • The pain often comes back the first week back
#7

Ibuprofen before you play

3/10

Quieter match, louder next morning.

  • Cheap and easy
  • Masks it instead of changing the load
  • Not something to take before every game
#6

New court shoes

3/10

Great for grip. Not where this pain comes from.

New court shoes in their box next to the old worn pair
  • Better grip and cushioning
  • Expensive ($130+)
  • The tendon below the kneecap takes the load either way
#5

A knee sleeve

4/10

Warm and comfortable, for about one set.

  • Comfortable, keeps the knee warm
  • Squeezes the whole knee, not the spot that hurts
  • Slides down when you sweat
#4

A hinged brace

4/10

Holds everything. Including you.

A bulky hinged knee brace under a pair of shorts on court
  • Feels secure
  • Bulky under shorts
  • Limits the quick bends the sport needs
#3

Kinesiology tape

5/10

Works for some players, if you can tape it well.

Kinesiology tape peeling off a sweaty knee
  • Targets the area
  • Light
  • Hard to apply right every time
  • Peels off in a sweaty session
#2

Strength exercises from a physical therapist

8/10

The long-term answer. Do these whatever else you choose.

A slow single-leg step-down at home
  • Builds a tendon that copes with the load
  • Costs nothing but time
  • Takes weeks to feel
  • Doesn't help during tonight's match

This is why we put a free 8-week plan in every box: wall sits, slow squats, step-downs. 15 minutes, three times a week.

#1 · Our pick, while you do #2

A patellar strap with an airbag

9/10

Works on the spot that hurts, while you play.

  • Presses on the tendon, just below the kneecap
  • Airbag in the pad takes the landing
  • Stays put, thin under shorts
  • 60 days to try it
  • It won't fix your knee on its own: pair it with #2
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Where's the airbag? On the inside.From the outside, the pad is flat and smooth. The side that touches your skin has a soft air pocket along the U: it squashes when you land, then springs back.
The inside of the pad: a soft air pocket along the U shapeOutside: flat
Inside: the airbag

Before you buy anything for your knee, check these 5 things

From us or from anyone else.

  1. It sits just below the kneecap, on the tendon, not around the whole knee.
  2. It stays put through a whole session without pulling it up between games.
  3. It's thin enough to forget under your shorts.
  4. You can play with it for weeks, and get your money back if it's not for you.
  5. Something inside takes the shock when you land. Ours has an airbag in the pad; most straps don't.
The honest bit

It won't fix your knee. It lets you play while you fix it.

Nothing here regrows a tendon. What the strap changes is where the load lands while you play, so you can keep showing up to open play. The other half is strength: wall sits, slow squats, step-downs on your rest days. That's why the 8-week plan comes free with every strap.

Sharp pain, swelling, or a knee that gives way is a different story: see a physical therapist before you buy anything.

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Second Set Strap, three-quarter view on the slider buckle side
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One for you, one for your doubles partner. Free tracked shipping and 60 days to try them at open play.

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The 60-day court test

Wear it at open play. Sweat in it. If it isn't for you after 60 days, you get a full refund, worn or not.

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Straight answers

Will it fix my knee?

No, and we won't pretend it does. It puts steady pressure on the patellar tendon while you play, the spot physical therapists often target with a strap. The free 8-week plan is there for the strengthening part.

Is it the right strap for my pain?

It's made for pain just below the kneecap that shows up after open play, on the stairs, the next morning. Pain inside the joint, swelling, or a knee that gives way? See a PT first.

Will it slide down?

The silicone pad grips the skin and the U-shaped notch cups the kneecap, so it stays where you set it. Set it once with the metal slider, then just close it before you warm up.

Does it dig in?

It should feel snug, not tight. The pad is wide and soft, so the pressure is spread over the tendon, not on a thin edge. If it leaves a deep mark, loosen it a notch.

Which size do I need?

One size. The slider and the hook-and-loop fit it to your leg two fingers below the kneecap. If it doesn't fit, the 60-day guarantee covers it.

What do I get?

Your strap (two with Buy 1, Get 1 Free) and the free 8-week knee plan by email, the same day.