DonJoy OA Braces
AVAILABLE ON NHS PRESCRIPTION* OR FOR PRIVATE PURCHASE
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
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.
Unloading OA knee braces are cost-effective, and long-term use can reduce surgery.
Lee et al. 2017
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.
Managing knee osteoarthritis
- Activities: walking, strength training, swimming, biking, yoga, tai chi and other low-impact activities may help with pain and function of the knee.
- Lighten up: a 2007 review found that overweight people who lost a moderate amount of weight had reduced pain and disability from knee OA.
- Braces, sleeves and other devices can help reduce pain and stiffness, take weight load off the affected joint and improve confidence and function for those with knee OA.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS uses electrodes to send a mild current to the affected joint, which can help alleviate pain.
- Acupuncture, balneotherapy (soaking in warm mineral springs) or heat or cold therapy may help ease joint pain for some people with knee OA.
- Medications can include paracetamol, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical NSAIDs, prescription medications, corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections and more.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, some studies have shown, can reduce pain and improve physical function; natural supplements, including avocado, soybean, capsaicin (in chili peppers) and turmeric, may have anti-inflammatory benefits for some people.
- Joint replacement or joint-preserving surgery may be an effective option for some people
* OA Reaction Web and Clima-Flex OA are available on prescription in the UK
References
- https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg177
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00212
- https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/ostearthritis-of-the-knee-degenerative-arthritis-of-the-knee
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aorth/2015/928301/
- https://www.djoglobal.com/education/patient-education/oa-bracing-education