# Question for physical therapists

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-physical-therapists/293763>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 10, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-physical-therapists/293763 "2005-03-10T01:50:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-physical-therapists/293763/1 "2005-03-10T01:50:40Z")

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I’ve had problems with petalla tendonitis. I’ve seen knee braces (with a hole for the cap), and bands that just go below the knee cap. If I want to go play basketball, which kind would be recommended?

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**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-physical-therapists/293763/2 "2005-03-10T03:03:06Z")

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IANA doctor/PT/etc. I am a (chronic) patellar tendonitis sufferer. I’ve used both types of braces, and they both seem to work fairly decently. I think that the ‘tube’ supports that cover more of your knee provide more general support for your knee. Not sure if there’s a specific advantage to the bands. Either should do, but you may want to try each, see which works best for you personally.