How do knee braces for arthritis work?
Over the course of your life, your knees provide the stability you need to stand up straight, to run, to jump, to climb. Over time, this joint suffers from these blows, leading to osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition that occurs as people age. Common symptoms include joint pain, unsteadiness, and reduced flexibility. This happens because the cartilage that typically acts as a shock absorber for your joints is lost or damaged over time, typically on one side of the knee.
Can a knee brace help arthritis?
Knee braces for arthritis shouldn`t be a first line treatment for your condition, but they can go a long way towards relieving your osteoarthritis symptoms, especially when paired with exercise and weight loss strategies. The greatest benefits of using a knee brace for osteoarthritis symptoms include the following.
1. Reduce pain and inflammation
Knee braces provide a non-invasive option for reducing pain and getting you back to the activities you love. They do this in a number of ways, depending on the knee brace you choose. Knee sleeves for mild arthritis provide cushioning, some structure, and can keep your joints warm. Unloader knee braces for severe cases, as we`ll discuss shortly, completely redistribute the weight on your knee joint. This can relieve pressure from one area, and spread it across the knee.
2. Provide support and peace of mind
Beyond tangible pain relief, many patients claim that the best knee braces for arthritis provide them with peace of mind. If you`re active, knee braces can help cushion the knee and provide support. But some also note that the brace itself is a reminder to take it easier on the knee, and to be more mindful of the pressure they`re putting on it.
4. Take less medication
The American Journal of Orthopedics study found no differences in medication usage among their braced participants. However, research presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that:
[Thirty-one percent of study participants said they took fewer over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory drugs, and 35% were taking fewer prescription anti-inflammatory drugs after six months of wearing the brace."
If you`re more active because of your brace, and you`re experiencing more pain relief, this suggests that you`ll also be taking less pain medications.
5. Put off surgery
For some patients, surgery is a necessary way to get their life back. But as an invasive procedure, surgery always presents a risk of complications. For moderate to severe cases of knee osteoarthritis, some patients have actually found that knee braces allow them to delay surgery or avoid it entirely.
