Arthritis Knee Braces & Supports from Health and Care

23 October 2018 | Eugene

If you suffer from arthritis in your knees, you aren't alone. It's estimated that over 10 million people in UK currently suffer from arthritis, leading to all sorts of over-the-counter and holistic approaches that countless people swear by, with limited results. At Health and Care, we believe in treating the problem at the source, which is why we recommend the use of a Arthritis Knee Brace or Arthritis Knee Support to treat your condition. Before we show you our favourite braces, it's important to understand the root of the problem.

Knee braces are the best way to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
The pain and instability caused by arthritis can often be lessened with the use of a supportive knee brace

What is Arthritis of the Knee?

Arthritis is the occurrence of inflammation in any of your joints, including the knees. It can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, and can make it hard to do most of the simple movements we take for granted throughout the day. Knee arthritis is mainly divided into two categories:

Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form of knee arthritis, and the one we'll put a particular focus on in this article. It's caused by a 'wear and tear' of the knee joint over time, causing much of your knee joint cartilage to wear away. It will develop slowly, and if left untreated, will become more painful over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: The second most common type of knee arthritis, this condition is a more pervasive disease that can affect every joint in the body. It can affect people of all ages, and is caused by the immune system attacking its own tissues.

Offloading Knee Braces

When selecting a knee brace to treat osteoarthritis, one of the most effective options is an 'offloader’ knee brace. This type of arthritis knee brace relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis by applying pressure to the knee joint on the opposite side of the knee to the side suffering from osteoarthritis. These braces can provide stability, reduce pain, and are a great way to delay or possibly eliminate the need for surgery.

If you are suffering from osteoarthritis on the inside (medial side) of your right knee, the hinge of the brace on the outside (lateral side) of the knee joint will apply pressure towards the inside of the joint. The pressure on the healthy side of the knee joint will open up the knee joint on the osteoarthritic side, thus preventing osteoarthritic friction. This pressure on the knee joint will also anatomically shift your weight onto the healthy side of the knee joint and the knee brace itself.

Our Favourite Offloading Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis

Donjoy OA Adjuster Osteoarthritis Knee Brace

Evidence suggests that offloading knee braces such as the Donjoy Adjuster Osteoarthritis Knee Brace are effective in reducing pain, improving stability and diminishing the risk of falling. In particular, this specialist osteoarthritis brace uses Lock and Off-Load technology to provide compression where you need it most, helping to shift compression away from the injured area to healthy tissue. Comfortable and secure, this is an ideal choice for those looking for added stability and pain reduction while maintaining an active lifestyle.

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Our Pick for Elderly Users

Donjoy OA Nano Osteoarthritis Knee Brace

For some elderly sufferers of osteoarthritis, ensuring there is as light a load as possible on the joint is key. The Donjoy OA Nano Osteoarthritis Knee Brace is the natural option, as it is designed to be one of the lightest oesteoarthritis knee braces in the world. Another offloading brace, the Donjoy Nano is made with a magnesium frame, allowing for excellent flexibility, a better fit and maximum comfort. Designed to provide stability to those with moderate to severe unicompartmental osteoarthrisis, this brace is the perfect option if you're looking to gain confidence in your knee for an active lifestyle.

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Our Pick for Rheumatoid or Early-Stage Osteoarthritis

Ottobock Genu Sensa Knee Support

While offloading knee braces are the most reliable option for moderate and severe osteoarthritis, in the early stages, a small amount of support and compression may be all that's needed. The Ottobock Genu Sensa Knee Support is a perfect example, providing increased sensorimotor control and targeted compression, which makes it an ideal solution for rheumatoid arthritis as well. With an integrated pad to relieve pain and guide the movement of the patella, this brace is great for providing extra stabilisation, making it perfect for treatment of knee pain in general.

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Stay Active Through Osteoarthritis

If you are suffering with osteoarthritis in your knees, it's likely that the best option for you is the use of a supportive knee brace. Whatever your needs, we at Health and Care always recommend that before making your choice, you consult your physician to ensure what you're getting is right for you. Our osteoarthritis knee braces have the potential to transform a sedentary lifestyle into an active lifestyle, so you owe it to yourself to make the right choice. Click here to view our full range of arthritis knee braces and supports.

Do you have any questions about our knee brace and supports for arthritis, or something to add? Share your thoughts below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: Arthritis, Knee Braces, Knee Pain, Sports Supports and Braces