![]() More-recent studies, however, have demonstrated less of a benefit. Some evidence suggests that knee braces can help reduce symptoms and improve function in people who have knee osteoarthritis. ![]() If worn consistently, a knee brace can offer some stability and increase your confidence in your knee. As a result, you might automatically guard your knee and avoid putting weight on it. Osteoarthritis can make you feel as if your knee is about to give out. Other people find it helpful to wear the brace most of the day. ![]() Some people wear their knee braces only during continuous activity, such as walking or playing certain sports. You'll likely walk around to try out your brace.įollow the orthotist's or your doctor's instructions about when to wear your knee brace. With help from the orthotist, you'll learn how to put on and take off the knee brace and how to tell whether it needs adjustment. Have you try various knee braces to determine what style feels best and is easiest for you to use.Explain how knee brace designs differ from each other.Discuss the pros and cons of off-the-shelf and custom braces.Take several measurements of your leg to determine what size you need.Ask you to walk a few paces to show how your knee functions.Ask what activities you hope to increase by wearing a knee brace.Ask about your history of knee arthritis and the symptoms that trouble you most.You might adjust to wearing a knee brace more quickly if you start with a good fit, which is the goal of working with an orthotist. When your custom brace is ready, the orthotist will check the fit before you take it home. But it takes time to build a custom knee brace, so you might have to wait a few weeks. If you find an off-the-shelf brace that fits you well, you might be able to take it home that day.Ĭustom knee braces are designed and built to fit your measurements. Some designs allow you to adjust the pressure they apply to your knee, depending on how much support you need for different activities and at different times of day. Some types of knee braces are ready-made in several sizes. If you decide to try a knee brace, your doctor will probably need to write a prescription for it and refer you to an orthotist - a health professional who designs, builds, and fits braces and other devices to improve function in people with orthopedic problems.Ĭustom-made knee braces can be costly, so you might want to check with your health insurance provider first to see whether these types of devices are covered by your policy. Together you can decide whether a knee brace is likely to help your problem and how likely it is that you'll wear it regularly. Wearing a brace can cause the wearer to treat the braced knee as injured and favor the other knee, which could contribute to joint stiffness.ĭiscuss your interest in knee braces with your doctor. Others report diminished pain and increased function. ![]() Studies of knee braces for people with osteoarthritis have been limited, and results have been mixed. Some people also have swelling around the joint. The skin under the brace might become red and irritated if your knee brace fits poorly. A knee brace can feel heavy, bulky and hot at first. Risks of wearing a knee brace might include: ![]()
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