KNEE BRACES AND SPLINTING IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Introduction :
Knee brace can be used to stabilize the joint thus reducing further damage and pain. Methods of preventing and treating knee injuries have changed with the rapid development and refinement of knee braces. Prophylactic knee braces are designed to protect uninjured knees from valgus stresses that could damage the medial collateral ligaments1. However, no conclusive evidence supports their effectiveness, and they are not recommended for regular use. Functional knee braces are intended to stabilize knees during rotational and anteroposterior forces. They offer a useful adjunct to the treatment and rehabilitation of ligamentous knee injuries2.
Types of Knee Braces:
Functional Knee Braces
Functional knee braces are designed to substitute for damaged ligaments. For example, a patient who sustains an ACL tear may be offered a knee brace to wear in efforts to allow certain activities without surgery. Most patients who are concerned about knee braces already have a knee ligament injury. These patients would be interested in the functional knee braces. These functional knee braces are designed to compensate for a torn knee ligament1.
Prophylactic Knee Braces
Prophylactic knee braces are used to prevent knee injuries. Prophylactic knee braces are worn by athletes who participate in some high-risk sports in an effort to minimize their risk of sustaining a knee injury1.

How Knee Braces are useful Osteoarthritic Patients?

While nothing can cure osteoarthritis, this brace can help a person return to the type of activities he or she loves2,3.


The Knee Brace for osteoarthritis knee support works by:
• Redistributing the weight and joint alignment. This is done by a process called ‘off-loading’ which takes the direct weight off the joint. This allows the leg to move more naturally3,4.
• Bi-Axial hinge gives the brace more flexibility and the ability to better fit the leg comfortably.
• Load sensor helps the device to determine the forces being applied by the brace5.
• With the relief from pain and better stability, the brace allows for an increase in leg functions, which leads to building up the muscles around the joint5.
• More mobility reduces stiffness in the morning, allowing more activity during the day, and reduced pain when at rest4,5.
This knee brace is light weight and easily adjustable by the patient. It offers a 20 degree increase in range of motion and a 4-point dynamic leverage system. The knee support brace has many arthritis friendly features and is commended for its ease-of-use3,5.




An osteoarthritis patient should discuss using the brace or any other such appliance with his or her doctor first and understand what activities can be attempted before using such a device.7


What to expect from a Osteoarthritis (OA) knee brace?

• Braces cannot cure OA and may not be right for everyone. However, it is a viable solution for many people. The ideal candidates are typically active people who are motivated to strengthen their muscles and willing to wear a brace to realize the benefits of this form of treatment8.

• Discuss treatment goals with your doctor and others on your health care team before you get a brace5,7.

• Don’t expect a brace to feel good from the start. It may take from a week to a month to get used to how the brace feels on your leg. Be patient. It took a long time for your knee OA to develop9.

• Bracing has come close to eliminating pain for some people with knee OA, while others experience moderate relief2,6.
The Appropriate Knee Brace for You
There are different kinds of knee braces and it's important for your doctor or a health professional to help decide which knee brace might be appropriate for you10. Three knee components to consider are:
• medial (on the inside of the knee joint)
• lateral (on the outside of the knee joint)
• patellofemoral (behind the kneecap)
Usually knee braces are recommended for patients who have cartilage loss in one component of the knee, also known as unicompartmental knee damage. Osteoarthritis most commonly develops in the medial component8.
Types of Knee Braces Used in Knee OA
Single-piece sleeves made of neoprene, an elastic-rubbery material, are the most simple knee braces. The knee brace is pulled on over the foot of the affected leg and is placed over the knee where it provides compression, warmth, and support. This type of knee brace is for mild to moderate osteoarthritis and it is available over the counter in most drug stores. The fit should be snug9,10.
An unloader brace is a semi-rigid knee brace made from molded plastic and foam. Steel struts inserted on the sides limit lateral knee movement and add stability11. This brace is custom-fit to each individual patient for whom it is prescribed (usually patients with medial component osteoarthritis). Essentially, it relieves pain by transferring pressure from the inside to the outside part of the knee9.
The unloader knee brace can also be designed for patients with cartilage damage in the lateral component of the knee, as well as patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee who are looking for temporary pain relief while they wait to have knee replacement surgery. To purchase an unloader knee brace, the patient must obtain a prescription from an orthopedic doctor, and the brace must be purchased at a store specializing in orthotics10.
Experts suggest that patients allow a week to one month to adjust to how the unloader brace feels. Right from the start, don't expect comfort. It takes a little time. Experts also warn patients about becoming too reliant on the unloader brace12. Take it off from time to time so you can exercise and strengthen muscles. It's also important to remember that a knee brace is just one part of a patient's treatment regimen. Don't disregard other aspects of your treatment regimen without first talking to your doctor

Splints in Knee Osteoarthritis..
The various types of knee splints differ in use, style, and complexity. The simplest knee brace is a neoprene sleeve. Neoprene sleeves are most useful if you have mild arthritis and your primary purpose is to reduce pain and swelling. This device does not provide alignment correction or structural support for the knee joint, although it may contribute some input to joint proprioception.
For realignment purposes, you can get several types of knee braces over the counter or custom fit by an orthotist. Custom fit braces are molded to your size and are usually of a higher quality; they are sometimes adjustable. Such braces are more expensive than over-the-counter braces, which have fewer options for adjusting fit11,13. Realignment goals vary because they are based on your personal biomechanics. They include bicompartment, patellofemoral, and tibiofemoral realignment 13.
For some people, the goal of using a knee brace may be ligament protection. I recommend that you see someone qualified to determine which type of brace meets your needs and to fit you properly11. Proper fit of a knee brace is essential, as an improper fit not only fails to realign the joint but also may lead to further joint damage. A gentleman I know used a brace for several years to reduce the pain in his knee during tennis, his preferred mode of exercise. Tennis puts lateral and torsional stresses on the knees, so a brace is a good way to reduce these stresses, which can damage arthritic knees7.

How Splinting Helps in Osteoarthritis KNEE ?
Many athletes wear braces or splints on their knee to help protect it from further injury. Wearing one may be all the knee needs, but only your ahead, a physical therapist can help you heal your knee and then teach you how to strengthen your knee after6,7,8.
Medications are an option that help many people. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling inside the knee, reducing the irritation and pain. Analgesics, pain killers, may also be used. Depending on the injury, the knee may benefit from an injection of a corticosteroid directly into the joint6,7.
Immobilizing the knee is done in most traumatic knee injuries. By putting it in a splint, you can’t injure it any further through movement and the knee has a chance to heal6,8.