Brace Prescription

Osteoarthritis

More than 8.5 million people in the UK have osteoarthritis (OA) and the knee is one of the most commonly affected joints.
There are many treatment options available including several non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical choices.

Knee braces can be very effective at reducing pain

• Advanced braces fitted by healthcare practitioners can be very effective at reducing pain; they work by off-loading stress on the joint
• They are non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical
• They can help you maintain your everyday activities like walking the dog, climbing stairs, gardening or exercising
• They can be used in tandem with other treatment options to manage OA symptoms, increase stability of the knee and reduce pain and swelling
• They can be more cost effective and safer than medications or more invasive surgeries that carry additional risks
• They can help further reduce deterioration of the joint by easing the pressure on the knee

NICE Guidelines recommend managing Osteoarthritis through exercise and weight loss. Offloading knee braces reduce knee pain, helping you to be more active and lose weight.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is commonly known as “wear-and-tear arthritis,” but did you know that young people get it too? Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common type of arthritis; it happens when the body’s natural cushioning, cartilage, wears away between joints. Think of cartilage as a shock absorber for your knees; less cushion results in bone rubbing against bone, and that can cause stiffness, pain, swelling, decreased mobility and bone spurs. OA typically develops slowly and becomes worse over time. There is no cure for OA, but there are many treatments available that can ease the pain and help people to retain or regain their mobility.

What causes osteoarthritis?

The ability of cartilage to heal decreases as people age, but the causes of knee OA vary. It can be hereditary or can be the result of injury, infection, overuse or excess weight.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As it does, the protective spaces between the bones decrease resulting in bone rubbing on bone, producing painful bone spurs.

Who gets knee osteoarthritis?

• The chances of developing OA increase after the age of 45 and the average onset of knee OA is 55. ^{1, 2, 3}
• After an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury, there is a predisposition for developing osteoarthritis (OA) 5 to 15 years after initial injury, regardless of surgical reconstruction. ⁴
• As many as 80% of ACL-injured knees will demonstrate OA, especially with concomitant meniscal damage. ⁴
• More than 40% of knee replacements happen over the age of 65, so many people must find other forms of conservative, non-invasive and non-addicting methods to control pain and maintain an active lifestyle.
• Women aged 55 and older are more likely than men to develop knee OA.