Information for Patients & Caregivers

Osteoarthritis sufferers could benefit from a knee brace

Knee braces could help patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee to maintain their activity levels, it has been claimed.

According to a new study led by clinical researcher Karen Briggs, a knee brace could help patients participate in recreational sports.

"Patients maintained or improved their activity level and saw reduction in pain and anti-inflammatory medications" when using an unloader brace, Briggs told an audience at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

"Few studies have looked at active patients with osteoarthritis seeking to improve function and activity level," she added.

"In our study, we showed that patients can improve their activity and their function with an unloader brace."

She also claimed that drop-out rates from brace use were low and this could be put down to proper patient education and fitting of the brace.

Recently, Hollywood actress Jane Fonda claimed that having hip or knee replacement surgery does not have to be a barrier to exercise.

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