5 Best Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis Reviews 2022
Osteoarthritis is a painful affliction, and while a good support shouldn’t be a first-line treatment, it really does help in relieving the symptoms. After all, being diagnosed with osteoarthritis isn’t as simple as it sounds, as it was my case.
I had to deal with recurring pains in my joints, especially in my knees. Fortunately, I was able to come across the best knee brace for osteoarthritis.
If you’re like me who are suffering from this condition, you should consider buying knee braces now. To help you, I have created this review of the top products in the market.
Table of Contents
- 1 Our Pics For Best Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis
- 2 Ultimate Buying Guide in Order to Get The Best Knee Brace For Osteoarthritis
- 3 What Are The Four Stages of Osteoarthritis?
- 4 How Unloader Knee Brace Works on Osteoarthritis?
- 5 Is a Knee Brace Good for Osteoarthritis?
- 6 What Happens If Osteoarthritis Is Left Untreated?
- 7 Final Notes
Our Pics For Best Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis
Best Value | Best Rating | Premium Choice |
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Orthomen Unloading Knee Brace | Braceit K2 Comfortline Knee Brace | DonJoy SE-4 Knee Support Brace |
Orthomen OA Unloading Knee Brace
The Orthomen OA Unloading Knee Brace was specially designed to reduce the pain from unicompartmental osteoarthritis. Your knees will thank you because its 3-point leverage highly reduces the pressure applied to the joint.
The strap of the brace has been well-designed and is fully adjustable. Despite these premium features, it is not a hassle to put on your legs. Thanks to its quick snaps feature which is reminiscent of the locks you will find on a car seatbelt.
It promises a secure, no-slipping fit that also makes it relatively easy to take off. It’s extremely lightweight, thereby ensuring that you will not feel weighed down when you wear it. If you are considering surgery, perhaps you might want to reconsider after trying this product.
Ossur Unloader One Knee Brace
The Ossur Unloader One Knee Brace is the updated version of the brand’s original Unloader brace. What makes it different is that this new iteration has been created to adapt to modern technology. As such, you will be able to make the most out of the product.
While its unloading power is unrivaled, it only weighs half of what it used to. This lightweight brace has a low-profile appearance but guarantees that no rotation or slipping ensues upon wearing it. The application and removal process is both quick and hassle-free, thanks to its Quick-Connect Strapping feature.
The brace contours to your body for maximum comfort. Meanwhile, its SmartDosing dial allows for quick strap adjustability even through clothing. If you are looking for a premier knee brace to wear underneath your clothes without having to compromise ergonomic functions, this is the support you need.
Orthomen Hinged Post Operative Knee Brace
Orthomen hinged post-operative knee brace is designed to use after surgery to support and stabilize the knee. It aims at minimizing the risk of re-injury and aids in post-operative recovery and rehabilitation. The brace is structured with a durable aluminum alloy.
It is fully adjustable and range of motion brace is ideal for most knee injuries like ligament and tendon strains patella realignment and after following ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL surgeries.
It’s also indicated to use for meniscal repairs, tibial plateau fracture, osteochondral repairs, condylar fractures and sprains/strains of the knee. The brace is light weight yet strong for exceptional support. Its’ silicon coated neoprene pads provide the best grin and promote brace suspension. For comfortable fitting, we can cut the straps, if they are too long. Furthermore, it is a great gift idea for birthday, holiday and anniversary.
OA Universal Unloader Knee Brace
Similar to the Orthomen OA Unloading Knee Brace, plenty of users will find this product to be useful. It is a low-profile brace that also possesses 3 points of leverage to ease the pressure on your knee joints.
Various features such as the ROM (Range of Motion) hinge are designed to be adjustable to provide you with a comfortable experience. The sizing is universal but can be likewise adjusted to provide you with a secure and comfortable fit.
The design of the product is rather low-profile and attractive due to its simplicity. It also comes with a quick snapping feature that will allow smooth application and removal. Even those with rheumatoid arthritis in their hands should have an easy time using this. Do note, however, that this specific product was made specifically for the right knee.
K2 ComfortLine Best Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis
True to its name, this K2 ComfortLine brace provides a strong support that is comfortable, user-friendly, and of high performance. However, you have to be careful when using the brace size as it could affect the amount of comfort you can get experience.
It is the lightest product in the list, which makes it the most ideal when it comes to performing everyday tasks as well as some light exercises. It removes the pressure normally exerted on the knee joint by transferring your weight to the calf. The material conforms to the body to ensure comfort and maximum grip.
While you will have to take measurements of your thighs and calves to find the perfect fit, its universal property allows you to use it on both legs. It’s neither low-profile nor the easiest to put on, but it is a great off-loader knee brace that allows for plenty of mobility and comfort.
Brace Align Osteoarthritis Unloader Adjustable Knee Brace
This product is prescribed to those patients who have the problem and searching best treatment for osteoarthritis. Brace Align designed such a way that a patient can use this brace easily which will lift the weight of your knee which is causing osteoarthritis. After using it, you can walk for a long time even you can run without any hesitation.
It’s Prevalent Complete Rehabilitation is for most knee wounds and it also prevents from re-injuries. Settling care totally modified to your necessities while recovering joint arthritis torment and Medial or Lateral OA Osteoarthritis of the knee.
In this product, there is adjustable hinge that will help to pull or push that will make you relive from medial or lateral osteoarthritis. There is also a soft pad for which is for your comfort. It is vented for breathability. Lightweight breathable material extends the wear which makes it incredibly simple to use with every day exercises.
DonJoy Legend Knee Brace
Among the knee braces featured on the list, this is the most expensive. However, don’t let its price tag turn you off because it also allows for the widest range of things that you can do.
What makes this DonJoy Legend knee brace different from the others is that it features a 4-point technology that provides a more powerful leverage. It is also great for physical activities, even for water sports, thanks to the material used.
It is made from high-grade aluminum coated with Kraton to ensure that the product is resistant to rust and corrosion.
The way it has been configured allows for seamless bending of the knees and doesn’t feel at all restrictive. The design ensures that you feel comfortable while being active but also allows a secured grip, thanks to its straps created from nylon, elastic, and Velcro material.
Ultimate Buying Guide in Order to Get The Best Knee Brace For Osteoarthritis
There are plenty of factors to take into consideration when you buy a knee brace for your osteoarthritis. While there are some products on the market that are objectively better than the others, it is not a matter of one-size-fits-all. Make sure to ask yourself the following before you decide to make a purchase:
How much support do I need? The three support levels are as follows: basic, advanced, and elite. These three categories can be described as providing low, moderate, and maximum amounts of support respectively. Determine how much support you need based on your condition, situation, and body weight. Post-knee operations will typically need the highest amount of support possible, while basic support will suffice for those with mild pain only.
How much level of activity will I get? The motion will help with pain and improve knee function, but the range of motion you can get typically varies from one person to another. Certain braces will allow for more mobility than the others, so consider how much exercise you do or want to do. Also, take into consideration the kind of activities you will be doing. If you are planning on doing water sports, you will have to look for a brace that is specifically designed for such activities.
What size fits me? An ill-fitting knee brace might prove to be more detrimental to your health, so always make sure that you pick the right size. One that is too big will not offer enough support when you partake in activities, while one that is too tight or small will place more pressure on the injured knee. Both will not help you and end up wasting your money instead. Always inquire about the sizing system and take your measurements to see which one fits perfect, especially if you are ordering online.
What Are The Four Stages of Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is also known as wear and tear arthritis. This degenerative joint disease is a common joint disease that affects the hand, knees, and hips, but it is commonly found in the knees. Knees arthritis usually affects joint functionality, which causes knee pain, and with its progression, it can even lead to disability.
However, The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has found in a survey that the number of people suffering from knee pain disorder is gradually increasing, and approximately one in two people is likely to develop symptomatic knee. Still, fortunately, osteoarthritis has now become increasingly more treatable, especially if it is diagnosed during the early stages. Let us look at the four stages of osteoarthritis, ranging from minor, mild, moderate, and severe.
Stage 1- Minor- In stage 1, patients tend to develop minor wear and tear in joints and bone spur growths at the end of the knee joints. Typically patients are likely to feel a little to zero pain in the affected area at the stage.
Stage 2- Mild- This stage is when your knee joints x-ray would show more bone spur growth. Although the space between the bones may seem to be normal, the patient will begin to experience symptoms of joint pain. However, the knee joint area will start to feel uncomfortable and stiff, especially when the patient rises in the morning, or sits for a longer period, or after a workout.
Stage 3- Moderate- Stage three is usually referred to as the moderate stage as the cartilage in the affected knee joint area starts to wear away and narrows the gap between bone and joint. As the disease progresses, there is a release of proteoglycan and collagen fragments into the synovial fluid. The bones begin to develop spurs at the joints, which cause discomfort during regular daily activity. Stage 3 is also known to be the stage of progression of osteoarthritis of the knee. The patient would have prominent joint inflammation, which would cause persistent pain when walking, kneeling, squatting, or extending. There can also be popping or snapping sounds when walking.
Stage 4- Severe- This stage is considered the most severe stage of osteoarthritis. To term it most simply, the patient is in the most painful stage. At this point, the joint space between the bones is significantly reduced, and the cartilage is almost completely gone. Therefore it leads to an inflammatory response from the joint, causing tremendous pain and discomfort when walking or moving the joint.
How Unloader Knee Brace Works on Osteoarthritis?
Unloader braces function by unloading the pressure on the injured part of the knee by applying a force somewhere else, often at three points along the thigh bone. Using an knee brace will help those afflicted with osteoarthritis because it transfers stress from the inner portion of the knee to its outer part.
Some models also unload pressure with the use of an adjustable hinge. Unloader braces are often made of a combination of plastic, steel, and foam to provide comfort. On the other hand, its mechanical design allows patients to experience more stability when moving.
Is a Knee Brace Good for Osteoarthritis?
A study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons assessed whether using a knee brace can help cure osteoarthritis or not. It ended in an inconclusive recommendation.
However, this does not necessarily mean it does not help. Other studies have revealed that it can indeed help improve pain management and stability issues also knee brace has types, so you need to choose according to your needs.
As mentioned earlier, a knee brace for osteoarthritis should never be used as a first-line treatment. What unloader braces do is delay the need for surgery, improve mobility, and ease the pain. It must always be used alongside medication. Several measures such as physical therapy and losing excess weight must also be taken into account.
What Happens If Osteoarthritis Is Left Untreated?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition and worsens with time if property comment is not taken at an earlier stage. The first stage of osteoarthritis is when you experience slight pain and stiffness around the joint area, and ignoring the pain will eventually make the problem more serious.
Although in osteoarthritis, organs do not get affected or make you ill, it can cause distortion that would reduce your movement and affect your quality of life. In major cases, if left without treatment, you could suffer from curved out knees or bony points along the spine, which would irritate your nerves resulting in pain and numbness, and tingling.
Expert says, "living with pain is not unavoidable." Dr. Taher Mahmood, the co-founder of the London Osteoporosis Clinic, says, "Majority people believe that arthritis and its related condition such as osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are unavoidable consequences of getting older, especially if one carries it in the genes.
This interpretation cannot only be an out-time belief but also dangerous." Experts also say that if someone follows modern medicines and a healthy lifestyle, he can quickly recover from arthritis symptoms.
Also, if the arthritis is left untreated, it can severely impact the quality of life, resulting in irreparable damages to muscle and bone structure. This severe impact also can affect the organs and hence lower life expectancy.
Although, Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that starts to appear in the '40s, usually in women that carry the disease in their genes, and the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are alike - painful and swollen joints.
The pain from osteoarthritis is usually milder in the mornings but becomes severe with non-stop use of the affected joint. Whereas people with rheumatoid arthritis wake up with stiff and painful joints, but as the day progresses, they experience the ease of pain.
Treating arthritis and rheumatic conditions lightens the symptoms and reduce bone damage and subsequent need for surgery. But, if left untreated, the joints would severely get damaged, and the patient would need emergency surgery. Below are some common surgeries that are known for osteoarthritis.
Joint replacement- Also known as arthroplasty, your surgeon would remove your damaged joint and replace them with metal or special plastic parts. This surgery is commonly done to replace hip and knee joints. The artificial joint can last up to 20 years but may need replacement frequently.
Joint fusing- if you are not applicable for joint replacement, then your surgeon might suggest an operation that would fuse your joint in a fixed position, also called arthrodesis. This would make your joints stronger and less painful. Although as it is fused permanently, you won't be able to move it.
Adding or removing some bone around the joint area- if you suffer from osteoarthritis in your knee and joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for you, then your surgeon might suggest an osteotomy. In this operation, your surgeon would add or remove a small section of bone. This surgery helps in shifting your body weight away from the damaged part of your name. It is a temporary solution as eventually, you may need knee replacement surgery.
Final Notes
Patients with osteoarthritis know how difficult it is to do the physical activities they were once able to accomplish. Many people consider undergoing surgery. Fortunately, there are other options that can provide long-term solutions to the painful symptoms.
In particular, knee braces will help with support and comfort, but only if you get one that is right for you and the particulars of your condition. We hope this guide has helped you in your quest for finding the best knee brace for osteoarthritis. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to share this information with your friends!
