| If you are an active individual, but suffer from knees | | | | The DonJoy OA Adjuster has been used for years |
| that are 20 years older than you are, there is some | | | | as an alternative to knee replacement surgery by |
| potential help in a type of brace referred to as an | | | | off-loading the medial or lateral compartments of the |
| "unloader" knee brace. | | | | knee. |
| An "unloader" knee brace does exactly what it | | | | Commended by the Arthritis Foundation and rated |
| describes. The brace "unloads" or "off-loads" the knee | | | | clinically effective in The Journal of Bone and Joint |
| in patients suffering from unicompartmental | | | | Surgery, The DonJoy OA Adjuster offers immediate |
| osteoarthritis. This is the wear and tear type of | | | | pain relief without surgery or pharmaceuticals. |
| arthritis which comes with age, excessive activity | | | | The OA Adjuster has many benefits over tradition |
| over your life time, and hereditary predisposition to | | | | arthritis braces that make it the choice of athletes |
| develop arthritis. | | | | and physicians. |
| There are two compartments in the knee. They are | | | | The OA Adjuster offers easy patient-controlled load |
| referred to as the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) | | | | adjustment to meet daily needs. Its lightweight (23 |
| compartments. In the majority of cases, the medial | | | | oz.), aircraft grade aluminum frame provides a low |
| compartment of the knee bears the brunt of physical | | | | profile, rigid brace that is comfortable to wear for |
| trauma over time. The joint actually begins to | | | | long term use. |
| collapse, loosing both joint fluid and cartilage causing | | | | The brace is ideally suited for active, adult patients |
| an angular deviation in the knee. An x-ray may show | | | | with moderate to severe unicompartmental |
| a bowing in the knee and leg because of this collapse. | | | | osteoarthritis, moderate to severe ligament |
| When the collapse is in the medial compartment, it is | | | | instabilities, and for post-operative rehabilitation. |
| referred to as a varus deformity (bowing). When the | | | | Unlike many single hinged arthritis braces, the OA |
| collapse is in the lateral compartment, it is referred to | | | | Adjuster provides added knee stability to protect the |
| as a valgus deformity (knock knee). This causes | | | | ACL, meniscus and collateral ligaments. |
| "bone on bone" contact between the femur (thigh | | | | So if you suffer from arthritis pain in the knee, and |
| bone) and tibia (leg bone) resulting in pain, swelling | | | | want to delay or prevent knee replacement surgery, |
| and reduced range of motion. | | | | the DonJoy OA Adjuster may be the alternative you |
| An "unloader" knee brace bends the knee back into a | | | | need. |
| more neutral or straighter position, and reduces the | | | | It is important that you consult with your physician |
| compressive load on that side. This results in less | | | | before deciding on an arthritis knee brace. |
| bone on bone contact and less pain and swelling. | | | | |