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Who should use a knee brace?
Braces can help nearly anyone who experiences mild to severe knee OA. They help resolve the pain, enabling active people to get busy again. Overweight people have found they can walk again. Even folks suffering malalignment have found that the biomechanics of bracing help them regain their mobility.
 
How does an OA brace work?
The degeneration of knee cartilage makes the lower leg bend inward or outward, resulting in painful compaction (bone-on-bone friction). Using three points of leverage, an OA brace applies gentle pressure to the side of the knee, to open space and relieve the pressure to reduce pain and restore mobility.
 
Does a knee brace replace surgery?
No, but it may help postpone it. A good OA knee brace will help relieve the pain, but it will not repair the damaged joint. In mild to moderate cases, using a brace may allow you to postpone surgery and prolong the intervals between knee replacements. Keep in mind some artificial knees last only 10 to 15 years before they need replacement.
 
Does a knee brace replace physical therapy?
No. In fact, an OA knee brace will make physical therapy more effective since the ability to exercise is greatly improved. With the help of your physical therapist or orthotist, the brace can help relieve pain as you strengthen muscles around your knee joint.
 
Does a knee brace replace expensive medications?
In many cases, yes. Patients who use a brace usually have been able to reduce dependence on pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Others have found added pain relief by combining these therapies. As some anti-inflammatory drugs may cause serious side-effects or allergic reactions, consult your doctor before changing any prescribed medication regimen.
 
Does a knee brace replace costly drug injections?
Yes. Some doctors inject drugs such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid directly into the joint for short term relief. However, these treatments can be very expensive, the length of relief varies greatly from patient to patient and many people report no reduction of pain. If injections are chosen, an OA brace may enhance and prolong the effects.
 
Does it matter which OA brace I use?
Yes. The reason is quite simple. In a direct comparison study, independent research has shown the Bledsoe Thruster OA brace to be more effective than the other leading braces on the market.* The Bledsoe Thruster RLF simply provides more pain relief action than any other brace you can buy. And that's why you're using an OA brace.
*Nadaud, Matthew C, MD; Komistek, Richard D, PhD; Dennis, Douglas A, MD; Anderle, Mathew R, BS; Kubo, Matthew B, BS. In Vivo Three Dimensional Determination of OA Brace Effectiveness: A Multiple Brace Analysis. Scientific Exhibit presented at the 2005 AAOS.

 

   

For answers to your questions:

(717) 278-3333
Call or E-mail Rob Lukowski
The local Bledsoe representative