How to choose a knee brace for osteoarthritis?

Combined kneecaps are commonly used post-surgery for patients and athletes who require a higher level of protection and support. This type of brace keeps the knee in the correct flexed position to aid in healing and prevent further injury. Your doctor may recommend a hinged knee brace after surgery, but at some point in the healing process they will replace it with a different type of brace. Joint orthoses come in hard and soft versions, with the soft orthoses offering less support than the hard ones.

Joint Bandages - Tips on Choosing and Wearing Bandages

Joint bandages are orthopedic products whose main purpose is to reduce pressure on the ligament-joint apparatus, relieving discomfort and pain. This effect is achieved by immobilization of the limb or part of the limb of the joint in a specific position. Bandages are used in the treatment and prevention of joint diseases and injuries, as well as in rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries.

Bandages are designed differently, they are made of elastic fabric and can have additional stiffening ribs or a rigid base, laces and fasteners. Bandages are commonly referred to as elastic products, while semi-rigid or rigid products are referred to as orthoses, corsets or fixators.

fixation devices

They fix a joint in a certain position. Sometimes they also limit mobility of the limbs. Their primary function is to protect the joint from unwanted movement that could lead to injury, while relieving pressure on the joint and minimizing pain.

corrective devices

They are used to correct joint deformities. There are also bandages for posture correction - they fix the thoracic or lumbar spine.

therapeutic

Bandages soaked with various medicines - solutions, ointments and serums - are often used as therapeutic (healing) bandages. Depending on the medication used, they have a pain-relieving, warming and anti-inflammatory effect.

Protection

Used in first aid and hospitals for open fractures and injuries with soft tissue damage. Such dressings for joints or limbs prevent wound contamination and infection.

compression bandages

A compression bandage has a massage-like effect thanks to the high elasticity of the tissue from which it is made. It improves blood circulation and reduces swelling in the area where it is applied. At the same time, it does not restrict the mobility of the joints.

warming

This type of bandage is made of special warming materials, usually natural wool - sheep's wool, camel's wool, dog's wool - or synthetic fabric (neoprene). Wearing such a product contributes to the warming of ligaments and joints, thereby accelerating their healing after an inflammatory disease or injury.

Why Doctors Prescribe Orthopedic Bandages

When orthopedists and rheumatologists prescribe a bandage, they are pursuing the following goals:

If a person is already being treated for knee osteoarthritis, it is important to stop the disease from progressing. There is no acute pain in the established joint, since accidental incorrect movements are excluded.

Important after surgical interventions, such as endoprostheses, and after trauma. Only rigid bandages are suitable for these purposes.

Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by exacerbations and inflammation. In such phases, a properly applied bandage relieves the unbearable acute pain.

Athletes and people who subject their joints to great physical exertion should not be dissuaded from fixing their joints to avoid sprains and injuries. If the podiatrist advised the patient to lose weight, then he will certainly be prescribed a bandage to prevent the development or progression of osteoarthritis.

Bandages are prescribed for osteoarthritis and its prevention

What types of bandages are used?

Bandages provide different levels of support, so they are divided into three groups:

They are made from lightweight fabric. They are important for minor bruises and sprains. They are not used for osteoarthritis of the wrist, knee, or ankle.

They are made of thick and flexible material. They are useful for immobilizing the joint for serious injuries, including the treatment of osteoarthritis. The inside of the bandage retains heat and thus improves blood circulation in the injured area.

Orthopedic bandages have a complex design with special steel spokes that completely immobilize the joint. The bandage keeps the joint warm and relieves pressure, which is why it is used in particularly difficult cases.

The most commonly prescribed bandage for osteoarthritis is the medium bandage.

Types of knee braces and their recommended uses

All knee braces can be divided into four main groups according to the type of prescription: fixation, correction, support and warm-up. Depending on the specific cause of the knee joint pain, one type or the other may be required.

supportive

An analogue of the plaster cast, which allows full or partial immobilization of the joint. An elastic bandage works best for serious injuries such as fractures, broken bones, or torn ligaments or menisci.

corrective dressings

They limit the mobility of the knee and prevent unwanted movements that could damage the joint. Corrective knee pads are prescribed in the rehabilitation period after trauma and in severe forms of osteoarthritis, bone tuberculosis or Osgood-Schlatter disease when the joints are destroyed.

Support

Reduces the stress on the knee joint and keeps it in the correct anatomical position to a certain extent. Suitable in the final phase of rehabilitation after serious injuries and minor injuries such as sprains or bruises.

Compression stockings are also an indispensable part of the treatment of chronic arthritis, primary osteoarthritis and tendinitis.

warming

Improves blood circulation and relieves pain. They are most often used for acute illnesses: 'fresh bruises', aggravated arthrosis, 'all-weather' rheumatic pains, etc. Supportive knee pads very often have a warming effect.

The 3 most important questions about knee pads for pain

AskCan I wear a knee brace without consulting my doctor?

The answer is.This is not advisable as some knee pain requires immediate treatment. On the surface, it's easy to confuse arthritis (inflammation of the joints) with Kneeg's disease (necrosis of the cartilage of the condyle of the thigh). For arthritis, simply unloading the knee with a knee brace can significantly slow the progression of the disease; in Kneeg's disease, delaying treatment may lead to surgery.

AskCan a knee brace heal my knee?

The answer is.No, bandages and orthoses do not have a specific therapeutic effect. Its value lies in creating the most favorable conditions possible for the fastest possible regeneration of joint tissue. Sometimes the use of a knee brace is sufficient for the gradual recovery of the knee (e.g. for a bruise), but more often it is only an adjunct to the basic treatment (e.g. for osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis).

AskCan knee pads be used for prevention?

The answer is.Only if there is a real risk of injury to the knee joint (sports activities, work habits, etc.). A knee pad cannot protect the knee from inflammatory or degenerative processes.

Top 7 Best Knee Pads for Osteoarthritis

The following knee pads made it into our list today:

• Pharmacel's Patella Stabilizer Knee Brasce PRO;
• Ortho Professional BCK 270;
• Trivers T-8511;
• crate F-521;
• Fosta F1259;
• Ekoten KS-E;
• LPP Farm NK Straight Knee Brace.

Pharmacels Patella Stabilizer Knee Brace PRO

Recommended for sports and outdoor activities, knee sprains, severe bruises, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis or arthritis. With strong side supports and ring supports to support the kneecap.

The price range for Pharmacel's Patella Stabilizer Knee Brasce PRO is from 2,900 to 5,500.

I wore Pharmacel's Patella Stabilizer Knee Brasce PRO after a knee injury. I wore it for quite a long time. My foot has gradually adjusted. At first I felt some irritation and discomfort. I made myself a cotton stocking. Now it's much easier. The pain that used to plague me is gone. In short, the product does its job. At the moment it is worn out. I am considering buying a new one.

Pharmacel's Patella Knee Brasce PRO kneecap stabilizer

Ortho professional BCK 270

Recommended for the prevention of injuries during sports, outdoor activities, rehabilitation after injuries, arthrosis, myositis, Baker's cyst and excessively elastic ligaments. Made from natural material with bamboo charcoal particles.

Comparison of the models

The comparison table will help you make the right choice.

How to choose a bandage for the knee?

The doctor decides which dressing is recommended, but the size of the product to buy must be chosen by the patient himself. In most cases, only three measurements are required:

Since the range of sizes can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the measurements must be compared with the size chart of the different brands of knee braces. It is best to try on straps that do not have a cable adjuster beforehand, as far as the product design allows.

Recommendations for care

Flexible bandages should be hand washed with regular soap and warm water up to 40°C and dried flat without creasing in a horizontal position away from strong heat sources (radiators, etc.). Rigid pads can be cleaned with a damp sponge using antiseptic solutions.

More detailed information on the care recommendations for a specific type of dressing can be found in the instructions for use, which is always provided by the manufacturer.

Which product should I choose?

Choosing the right knee brace depends on how much support you need and/or what your doctor recommends. This decision will depend on whether you are recovering from surgery, the type of injury you sustained, and the mobility of your knee.

1 Bodrova RA, Aukhadeev EI, Akhunova RR, Khusainova ER Approaches to the selection of technical rehabilitation measures using μf // Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical Rehabilitation. 2019. №4.
2 Arseniev AO Orthoses for patients with rheumatic diseases involving joints // Scientific and practical rheumatology. 2006. №2s.
3. Prophylactic Potential of Serial Orthoses // Medical News. 2014. No. 7 (238).
4. Zyuzina Aleksandra Alexandrovna, Belashov Maxim Vladimirovich Development of a new design of the orthosis for the knee joint // Models, systems, networks in economy, technology, nature and society. 2013. No. 3 (7).

For which complaints do you need a medical knee joint?

• pain in knee;
• Swelling;
• inflammation or redness;
• poor mobility of the joint;
• muscle cramps;
• Impaired blood flow in the knee.

It is also recommended for professional and amateur athletes whose knees are subjected to excessive loads. Wearing a kneecap distributes the load on the limbs evenly, reducing the likelihood of injury.

Three types of attachment:

The soft kneecap is used when additional support of the joint is needed to reduce swelling and pain. Rib stiffeners and so-called hinges are often used with this product. Such knee pads are suitable for people with osteoarthritis or after knee replacement surgery. They are worth considering for the treatment of minor injuries and as a preventive measure. They are made of flexible material, require little maintenance and have a long service life.

Today, taping is widely used in sports medicine and orthopedics. Tape is a unique bandage that looks like a wide bandage and is fitted with a special adhesive. In order to achieve a therapeutic effect, the tape must be correctly applied to the injured part of the body. It makes the most sense to entrust this task to a professional. Properly applied tapes do not negatively affect the joint, do not squeeze it and do not restrict movement, help to relieve pain and tension in the affected joint and reduce swelling. Wearing the tapes causes a micro-massage of the skin. Only hypoallergenic materials, mainly cotton, are used to make the bandages.

What is a knee brace and how does it work?

The Intex Knee Brace is a seamless, elastic knee brace made of polyamide and lycra that can apply pressure to the leg from the outside. The medical knee brace reduces the lumen of the veins, which stimulates blood flow in the knee area. The blood circulation improves the supply of the joint with oxygen, nutrients and medicines, and accelerates cartilage repair.. Knee pads stabilize the knee joint without restricting its movement. Knee pads reduce the load on the joint, slow down its degradation and reduce the risk of sprainsdislocations and fractures.

Osteoarthritis is a serious chronic disease. Before choosing knee pads for osteoarthritis, you should to speak to your doctor.. The following elastic knee pads of compression class Interx 2 (23-32 mm Hg) are used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This bandage provides enough compression to improve blood circulation and support the ligaments and muscles in the knee.

How do I determine the size of a knee brace for osteoarthritis?

At . How to determine the size of your knee brace for osteoarthritisUse the size chart to find the right size for your knee joint. In the morning, when the swelling is minimal, measure the circumference of your knee joint and compare the results with the ranges given in the table.

How do I know how big my osteoarthritis kneecap is if my knee joint circumference falls into two ranges?

Let's assume that the circumference of your knee joint is 41 cm. These values fall into two ranges: 37-43 cm corresponding to a size 3 (L) and 40-50 cm corresponding to a size 4 (XL). This means that both size 3 (L) and size 4 (XL) are suitable for you.

How to choose a knee brace?

There are many knee braces on the Russian market. How do you choose a knee brace that's right for you?Which orthosis is best for you? To answer this question, you must understand that the purpose for which the knee pads are used will determine the choice of materials from which they are made. The variety of knee pads can therefore be divided into three types:

knee brace. – Rigid products made of plastic or metal. The knee bandage is used to immobilize or severely limit the mobility of the knee after joint replacement, surgical treatment of fractures or torn ligaments. orthosis – Combined medical knee brace made of fabric with silicone, plastic or metal inserts. The orthosis limits the mobility of the knee and is therefore used in rehabilitation after dislocations and sprains. bandage – Elastic knee bandage made of synthetic material. The elastic bandage gently supports the knee in case of injuries and joint problems and reduces post-traumatic and post-operative swelling.

What distinguishes the knee bandages of the Russian company Intertextil Corp. out of?

The main function of the Intex knee wraps is to apply pressure to the knee area from the outside. The pressure stimulates blood circulation and improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the knee joint. This accelerates the growth of blood and lymphatic vessels that have been damaged by injury or surgery. The rebuilt lymphatic system reduces swelling quickly. The knitted kneecap stabilizes without restricting the movement of the knee stabilizes the knee During sports, the knitted kneecap stabilizes the knee and reduces the risk of dislocations, sprains and torn ligaments.

Determining the size of the kneecap To determine the size of your knee joint, measure the circumference of your knee and compare it with the size chart. It is convenient to measure the knee with a tape measure in the morning, when the swelling is still small. Assume that the circumference of the knee is 40 cm. This length is between 37 and 43 cm, which corresponds to size 3(L).

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