Dealing with knee pain in bowling is something that is fairly common in bowling. Many times it is the slide foot knee that becomes the most painful from bowling. And it is for a good reason.
Some bowlers generate a lot of speed with their footwork and slide to an abrupt stop just inches short of the foul line. In fact a recent study of pro bowler Sean Rash by Sport Science, revealed his knee endures 1600 lbs of force!
It’s only for a fraction of a second, but during the qualifying for the Us Open Tournament, 56 games were required to narrow a 108 person field to 5 finalists! It is no wonder a lot of folks are dealing with knee pain from bowling.
Knee Pain From Bowling And Why It Happens
Lack Of Proper Exercise And Warm-up
Most bowlers do not put the kind of stress on the sliding foot knee joint that Sean Rash does, so other factors must be involved. We all have jobs to deal with and use our knees to perform our work duties. Then, we go bowling a few times a week to enjoy ourselves.
Very little attention is given to our bowling form or a warm-up program before we bowl. A daily program of stretching and walking can have a drastic effect on your bowling and reduce the pain in your knee.
As we age, we need to become more focused on keeping our range of motion and muscle mass. It’s not easy, but we need a regular exercise program for good muscle tone. Most people won’t bother until they start having problems.
The old saying goes, if you don’t use it you will lose it. If you have knee pain, you need to stretch and get warmed up before bowling. And if possible work on improving your overall health. It makes a difference.
Improper Alignment To The Pins
One of the most frequent reasons for sore knees is improper alignment of the slide foot. When your slide foot stops a few inches from the foul line, the toe should be pointing at the pins.
You will have to look down at your feet after you release your ball to determine if you foot is straight. If your foot is sideways at the foul line, you are putting force on the side of the knee. Knees don’t bend that way. This will definitely make you knee sore.
Sometimes when we move to adjust the targeting line to the pins, we turn slightly to follow that line. This in turn will create a slight change in footwork alignment. When the slide foot is angled too much, it puts stress on the knee when we deliver the ball.
Incorrect Distance From The Foul Line
I remember when my first bowling lesson created an “ah-ha” moment for me. They taught us to walk to the foul line, and turn around. Then, walk away from the foul line, with the same amount of steps used in the delivery.
I was a 4 step bowler at that time. I walked 4 normal steps plus a few more inches back from the foul line to determine where to stand. My footwork was all over the place before that!
When I did that, sometimes I was getting my knee slightly ahead of my foot. That in turn was putting extra strain on the knee ligaments. The cause was an improper stride.
Once I did it properly, I felt more comfortable about where I was going to end up. That is much more comfortable on the knees as well.
Here Are Some Tips About Knee Pain From Bowling
How To Relieve Knee Pain From Bowling
I use knee braces for bowling because I have had sore knees for years.Working for years in the construction trades take its toll and knees just wear out. Crawling around on your knees all day, will do that. I can tell you that using knee braces allow me to continue to bowl.
My left knee in particular bothers me most of all because of an old skiing injury. I had surgery for a torn meniscus and found out I have a cracked kneecap also. I know that my knee acts up for the slightest twist the wrong way. So, I never know when I am going to have a problem.
What I can do is carry a knee brace inside my bowling bag. Whenever my knee starts to act up, I simply put the brace on and continue to bowl comfortably.
That is why I like a brace that is simple to put on and only take a minute. If you have never tried a knee brace, I highly recommend you try one. The best bowling brace for knee pain from bowling is one that is comfortable, and provides support.
The Best Brace For Knee Pain
Sometimes the knee problem may be caused by arthritis, while other times it may be an injury such as a torn meniscus. Always have a doctor look at your knee and determine what the best course of action is for you. Surgery may be required to correct your problem.
The type of brace depends on how much support you need. A knee that gets sore once in awhile, is not going to need a heavy duty brace that supports the entire joint. A joint with severe arthritis may knee a lot of support.
If your condition is arthritis, your doctor may recommend a knee brace. However, it could be poor technique in your bowling style. That can be corrected, by using better technique. And a knee brace won’t be required.
To determine if it could be the technique you are using, have someone experienced in proper technique, watch you bowl. This could go a long way to curing your knee pain and making the game more enjoyable for you.
5 Best Knee Braces For Knee Pain From Bowling
| Knee Braces | Image | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace Compression |  | Comfort & Value | Check Current Price | 9 |
| BlitzU Knee Compression |  | Comfort & Value | Check Current Price | 9 |
| Bodyprox Knee Brace |  | Added Support | Check Current Price | 8 |
| Run Forever Sports Brace |  | Tendonitis Support | Check Current Price | 8 |
| Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace |  | For ACL/PCL Injuries | Check Current Price | 9 |
Many knee braces are available and some are more comfortable than others. It comes down to a matter of personal preference as to which one may be the best one for you.
This is my personal favorite for support and comfort. I wore this brace for 8hrs or more and it was so comfortable I didn’t even notice I was wearing it. And I worked construction in all kinds of positions.
One word of caution, currently the Ace Brace with side Stabilizers is only available in Large I am not a large build, or a smaller guy either.
I have a 15-1/2 in knee circumference around my kneecap, and they are snug. These will probably be too tight for a large person.
I have the original open patella Ace Compression braces, but they have change the design. So, the Ace may fit differently now. However, they do have a Satisfaction Guarantee.
ACE Compression Knee Brace with Side Stabilizer, Satisfaction Guarantee, Large
I have worn this brace all day long up to 12 hours, and I can tell you it is the most 
comfortable knee brace I have ever worn. It is a comfortable fabric that does not pinch and bite into the back of your knee like some braces do.
Do yourself a favor if you have sore knees, and try this brace.
Pros
- Dual side stabilizers provide lateral support
- Four-way stretch knitted fabric
- Comfort panel behind your knee helps reduce bunching
- Provides Moderate Support
- Washable – Can be worn under clothes
Cons
- Only Available in Large
- Tends to Stretch-out some eventually
Blitzu Knee Compression Sleeve For Knee Pain From Bowling
These are sold by the pair. They reduce swelling from arthritis or injury, or protect your knees during sports or workouts. They help reduce swelling and promote healing from joint pain, post surgery, sprains and strains.
These are extremely comfortable and can be worn everyday.They have reinforced patella support and provide gentle compression. Made from professional strength fabric they are durable, breathable and washable. These also carry a 100% guarantee.
Pros
- Reinforced patella support
- Provide gentle compression
- Comfortable, durable and washable
- Professional strength fabric
- Can be worn under clothing
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- No side stabilizers
- May stretch-out eventually
Knee Brace with Side Stabilizers & Open Patella With Gel Pads for Knee Support
I like the adjustable straps on this knee support. It has an extensive list of good reviews from customers who have really liked it. It has everything I would want for comfort.
However, it is an open design that closes with velcro tabs in back. The design makes it easier to get on, but is not as durable or dependable as the slip-on design.
This knee brace is slightly bulky and will require clothing that is a bit more loose fitting, such as jogging pants if you want to wear it under your clothing.
Pros
- Flexible Stabilizer Springs for holding support and reduced knee stress
- Open Patella for ease of movement
- Patella Gel Pads for more added comfort
- Adjustable straps for adjustable tightness
- One Size Fits All
Cons
- Two Piece Design with velcro in back
- Bulky to wear under clothes
Run Forever Sports Brace Knee Pain From Bowling
This is a very simple design that gives support and is worn just below the kneecap. It is easily worn under clothing, and stays in place.
Run Forever Sports Brace targets pain associated with tendonitis caused by repetitive stress injuries. This device is designed to provide support with concentrated compression and warmth to the soft tissue in the front of the knee.
Pros
- Can be used with additional taping and wraps
- One size fits most design
- Absorbs force at the knee
- Provides warmth to knee tissue
Cons
- Best for Tendonitis
- No side Stabilizers
Shock Doctor Hinged Compression Knee Brace
Helps heal lateral and Patella instability in the knee. This is a knee brace for more serious injuries requiring major support. It is hinged on the sides with heavy duty bilateral metal for support yet allowing you to move comfortably.
Made with four-way stretch Lycra mesh that is antimicrobial and airflow vented to reduce odor and bacteria.
The Shock Doctor knee brace provides compression for healing and joint alignment, while keeping muscles and ligaments warm. Fits either left or right knee
Pros
- Protects ACL/PCL injuries
- Heavy Duty hinged knee brace
- Adjustment straps for Compression
- Fits either left or right knee
Cons
- Bulky – Can’t be worn under clothes
- More costly
Many Choices For Knee Braces Are Available, These Are Just A Few
This is my short list of braces for your convenience. Most are easily worn under clothing and are comfortable when worn for longer periods. If you are looking for more selections, keep in mind the bulkier Knee braces will have to be worn with shorts, or very loose fitting jogging pants.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it has brought you some value and possibly some relief from your knee pain.
Chas
Check out more products Here
Thanks for your support!
Oh,this is something that I heard my friends talk about. I don’t bowl so much but I know my friends who just do it for a hobby almost every week and enjoy it. One of them came back home complaining about knees pain and I understand it’s from the knee bending when bowling. I think I will share this article with them and maybe one of these knee braces will help with their pain. Thank you for bring this to my attention.
Hi Jackie,
I think your friends will benefit from the article. They could be making some mistakes in their technique that is causing the issue. I would use a knee brace until their knee feels better. And if they get someone from the proshop to watch them bowl ,they may be able to correct what they are doing wrong. Hope that helps?
Thanks for leaving a comment and please stop back soon.
Chas
hello there! Thank you very much for sharing this article on dealing with knee pain from bowling. I enjoyed going through the article because it contains valuable information I need to hold on to. It’s true that getting knee pain from bowling is common as my nephew experiences it all the time. These knee braces would be of use to him and I’m going to send this to him now.
Hi Sophie,
Thank you for your kind words. I do think that anyone that bowls and suffers some knee pain from bowling will benefit from this advice. Thank you for sharing the information with others, and please stop back!
Chas