Knee Braces for Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis Management | Össur Unloader One X Brace Fitting

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint condition that can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. There are three compartments in the knee, medial, lateral and patello-femoral joint. Osteo-arthritis can affect all compartments in the knee but in many cases, it affects just one side of the knee joint (known as unicompartmental OA).

Joint pain has been found to be more common with certain populations or occupations. To give an example, hip OA hip is found to be more common with farmers. This suggests that the development of OA can be affected by how a joint is used over a long period of time.

It is often called ‘wear and tear’, as if its being worn over time which in part is true. However, the body can repair itself. Therefore a better term may be ‘wear and repair’. It is thought that the repair process itself can be a problem, this is where we see the laying down of bone to try and heal itself and can lead to joint deformity’.

Pathology Overview:

  • Cartilage degeneration: OA begins with the gradual wearing away of cartilage. This reduces the joint's ability to absorb shock and glide smoothly.

  • Bone Changes: As cartilage wears down, healing occurs which leads to bone remodelling, the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs), and joint space narrowing.

  • Synovial Inflammation: Inflammatory changes such as synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining) can occur, contributing to pain and stiffness.

  • Subchondral Bone Sclerosis: The bone beneath the cartilage (subchondral bone) hardens and thickens, reducing joint cushioning.

  • Joint Deformity & Function Loss: Over time, these changes cause pain, limited motion, joint instability, and functional impairment.

OA is most common in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine, and its progression is typically slow but flare ups are common.

Risk Factors for OA

  • Genetics -in some cases the condition is inherited, though the specific genes involved have not been identified.

  • Childhood hip disorders i.e. perthes disease

  • An accident or Injury to a joint. i.e. ACL injury or fracture.

  • Occupations/sports- Types of sports or jobs that people have done in the past.

  • Being overweight- high BMI increases the load through the joints

  • Deconditioning- Not using a joint can cause muscle wasting of muscles and weakening of other tissues, and that in turn can increase pain and stiffness.

Keeping a joint moving is vital for its health

What is the Unloader One X?

The Unloader One X is a specially designed knee brace that reduces pressure on the part of the knee affected by osteoarthritis. The knee brace is designed to provide a gentle but effective force that shifts the pressure away from the damaged side of your knee, relieving pain and improving function almost immediately in many users.

The Unloader One X features the Össur 3-Point Leverage System. This patented system is clinically proven to improve mobility by providing pain relief from uni-compartmental knee OA and other conditions affecting one side of the knee joint.

The Custom fitted brace can delay or even prevent the need for surgery in some cases. Whether you enjoy long walks, weekend hikes, or simply want to move through your day without constant discomfort, the Unloader brace can support your goals by encouraging natural, pain-free movement.

INDICATIONS FOR USE

• Moderate to severe uni-compartmental knee osteoarthritis

• Degenerative meniscal tears

• Other knee conditions such as:

- Articular cartilage defect repair

- Meniscal repair

- Avascular necrosis (SONK)

- Condylar bone marrow lesions

- Tibial plateau fractures

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Relieves Pain - 3 Point Leverage System with Dynamic Force System® straps, rigid shells, and a single upright hinge biomechanically unloads the affected knee compartment.

• Control - Tool-free SmartDosing® dials enable the patient to fine-tune the strap tension to control pain.

• Tool-Free - Tool-free polycentric hinge with optional ROM stops for range-of-motion restriction.

• Comfortable - Skin-friendly liners feel great against the skin and reduce pressure points. Anti-migration strap technology design captures the widest part of the calf to reduce brace migration.

• Easy-to-Use - Alignment guide on hinge facilitates correct positioning of the brace on the leg and colour coded touch points aid in easy donning and doffing.

• Easy-to-Wear - Slender frame with soft edges easily contours to individual anatomies and remains discreet whether worn under or over clothing.

• Easy Care - Entire brace is machine washable (washbag included).

• Field serviceable

Greenwood Physio OA Care

Initial consultation (1 hr) fee: £65

I will undertake a thorough assessment and examination of your knee to determine which would be the best brace option for you. This decision is based on a number of factors including which compartment the arthritis is in and any fixed deformity.

I will run through the options with you and measure you up for the most appropriate brace.

Brace fitting and physio session (1hour) fee: £65 plus cost of knee brace

I will fit the brace and run through how it works and how to look after it. We will run you though a short exercise programme to ensure that you are doing everything to build the muscles around the knee. You will have the opportunity to try the exercises with and without the brace to see if you can feel the difference and hopefully experience that ‘unloading moment’.

Review 4 weeks later

We will review the knee brace and we will have an opportunity to discuss long term management of Osteoarthritis as recommended by the NICE guidelines. This will involve looking at an individualised approach involving physical activity and exercise. We can discuss weight management, and how to manage flares.

Contact

Feel free to contact me with any questions and to book an appointment.

Email
legphysio@gmail.com

Phone
07723383852