What is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of in the knee joint. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting about 4% of the population in the Nordic countries. Knee Osteoarthritis begins in the 4th decade, increasing in prevalence with age. It affects women at a younger age and has greater prevalence than men.

Read more: Causes, Risc factors, Symptoms, Treatment
 

How Bracing Works

Knee osteoarthritis patients often cannot perform activities of daily living, work and sports. By using a knee brace, the patient can experience condylar separation in degenerative knee compartments and thereby reduce pain. 3 point load shifts compressive knee joint forces from the degenerative compartment to the healthy compartment Generally fall into designs that either push or pull the knee center.

Studies have proven that braces have an
effect

In studies of unicompartmental
knee arthritis
patients, researchers
have found that 70% to 80% of patients experienced
condylar separation
in degenerative
knee compartments
when wearing offloading knee braces. They also
found 100% association between condylar separation
and pain relief.   

Read studies