Arthritis is a common degenerative condition that affects adults of over the age of 60. This condition is known to affect at least 13% of women and 10% of men. One common symptom that a person suffering from arthritis experiences is knee joint pain. Individuals with arthritis are advised to exercise to ease the pain. Finding the right knee brace can help you find the right support to exercise with less pain and with added confidence.

How Knee Braces for Arthritis Work

Your knees provide you with the support you need to jump, climb, run, and stand. However, as you age, the knee joints become weak and the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber gets damaged, leading to arthritis. Common symptoms include reduced flexibility, joint pain, and unsteadiness.

A knee brace helps to take pressure off the area of your most affected joint and work to ease the pain. Also, the brace provides extra support when your knee feels like it might buckle when you exert weight on it. This makes it easy to stand and move with more confidence.

Types of Knee Braces

There are various types of knee braces to choose from. Your doctor will recommend the right brace that fits your needs. A good knee brace should provide support, stability, and pain relief. Knee brace types include:

• Hinged Knee Braces

Hinged knee braces are for athletes and patients who need a higher level of support and protection. These braces help you avoid further injuries and accelerate the healing process. You can find hinged braces that are either soft or rigid.

• Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves help to control pain and swelling and come in several sizes. This type of brace is ideal for mild knee pain. What’s more, you can wear then under clothing as the sleeves are comfortable.

• Dual Wrap Braces

The dual wrap braces also are known as wrap-around braces work best for mild to moderate knee pain. You can use these braces while exercising as they provide the right support without the heaviness of hinged braces.

Review of the Best Unloader Knee Braces

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Bledsoe Z12 OA Arthritis Knee Brace

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The Z12 is an excellent choice if you’re used to an active lifestyle. This knee brace provides slight to reasonable pain relief. Also, it comes with an adjustable condyle device which allows you to adjust your brace by six degrees.

The upright brace can be adjusted by sliding the load level through the various settings. Furthermore, you can lessen brace movement on the leg area by using the upper calf strapping system with the finger-trap design. Made of lightweight material, the brace is fantastic for woman and those in athletics as it ensures weight is applied to the knees using different athletic movements.

Pros

• Comes with a manufacturer warranty
• Works well for patients with mild to moderate arthritis and those with stability issues
• Lightweight frame
• The calf strapping design provides minimal leg movement
• Leads to delayed surgery

Cons

• Maybe bulky for some patients
• Not ideal for people with excess tissue in the area of placement
• Expensive
• Should only be used with moderate arthritis

Breg Fusion OA Plus Osteoarthritis Knee Brace

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The Breg Fusion QA is designed for moderate arthritis. This knee brace comes with AirTech frame pads which allow circulation and moisture control. This allows cool air to get to the skin while heat and excess moisture are moved away.

The Breg Fusion is a must-have if you’re looking for a knee brace that provides comfort and suspension. The strapping tab technology makes it easy for straps to shape to the leg for the right fit and suspension. Also, you get to enjoy excellent protection and a contoured fit thanks to the proForm technology. The dial hinge allows you to adjust the brace for easy offloading.

Pros

• Helps to relieve pressure
• They are comfortable to fit
• Comes with pivot point strap pads
• Has a manufacturer warranty
• Does not compromise on mobility

Cons

• Only designed for one side of the knee
• Can be bulky under clothing
• Expensive

Winzone’s Knee Support Sleeve

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The Winzone’s knee support sleeve with an open patella provides incredible levels of pain relief if you’re suffering from arthritis. What’s more, the material is comfortable and non-bulky even under clothing.

Pros

• Comes with a money-back guarantee
• Fitted with dual side stabilizers that protect the knee

Cons

• May require readjusting as it occasionally slides down

DonJoy OA Everyday Osteoarthritis Knee Brace

DonJoy is a renowned brand when it comes to knee braces. The OA every day is a new version specially designed for arthritis of the knee. You don’t have to go through a lot of painful transition as you can enjoy daily activities with this brace. The brace comes with an adjustable design which makes it easy to wear.

What’s more, the brace has an inclusive calf frame and medial thigh to ensure the brace is not rubbing on the other knee. The quick release buckle systems mean that you can put the brace on and take it off in no time.

​Pros

• Comes with a one-year warranty
• Provides 100% comfort
• Sili-grips and swivel straps lessen brace movement
• Easy to wear
• Light in weight

​Cons

• Only comes with a medial version
• Can be heavy under clothing

Ossur Unloader One OTS Knee Brace

Ossur unloader has definitive features and it’s one of the best knee braces for arthritis. Designed to treat slight to serious arthritis together with other knee conditions, this knee brace comes with color-coded buckles, comfortable lining that is quite dense. The knee brace also comes with a streamlined design which makes it easy to wear whether you’re in construction or in sports.

In addition, the perforated shell and the dual dynamic force straps work to relieve pain. The straps can be adjusted for comfort.

Pros

• Different sizing options
• Can be adjusted for tension levels
• Comes with a warranty
• Lightweight and coded buckles for easy matching

Cons

• The fitting can be an issue
• Costly

Arthritis can leave you feeling uncomfortable with an endless progression of pain. However, with the right knee brace, you can reduce the pain and increase comfort. The above knee braces are highly recommended because of their quality, customer feedback, and popularity. Find the best brace in the list above, and keep enjoying all the activities you love.