| Anyone living with a chronic condition such as | | | | knee causing an increased rate of wear and |
| osteoarthritis of the knee should keep an eye on | | | | increased pain. These braces work by changing the |
| developments in the field. Knee braces are one | | | | angle at the knee, redistributing the body's weight so |
| treatment that has been progressing in recent years. | | | | it is evenly shared between the inside and outside. |
| In the past, knee supports, such as generic neoprene | | | | This removes the focal point from the painful side. |
| sleeves, were all that was available. These provided a | | | | By the unaffected side doing its share of the work, |
| small amount of assistance to the knee and kept it | | | | pain is reduced and mobility increases. It should be |
| warm. Thankfully we have moved on from then. | | | | noted however, that the brace does not treat the |
| There is a new category of product that can have | | | | affected side which remains worn. The only thing |
| significant benefits for osteoarthritis sufferers. | | | | that will make that area 'unworn'is joint replacement |
| Offloading braces can dramatically reduce pain and | | | | surgery. |
| increase activity levels - but they are not suitable for | | | | There are many braces on the market claiming to |
| everyone. | | | | offload the knee but it should be noted that a study |
| In order to benefit from these braces you need to | | | | by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that |
| have osteoarthritis in half of the knee only. | | | | only 2 braces physically offloaded the joint. These |
| Unicompartmental osteoarthritis occurs when the | | | | were the OAdjuster by Donjoy and the Thruster by |
| damage is restricted to one area, either the inside or | | | | Bledsoe. If you think you may benefit from this type |
| outside of the knee. In this situation all of the body's | | | | of bracing, speak to a Physical Therapist. |
| weight is taken through the affected half of the | | | | |