Severe Osteoarthritis (OA) Knee Braces

The incidence of severe osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing and OA of the knee is one of the most common causes of chronic conditions.
Total knee replacement (TKR) is the mainstay of treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis; however, with long waiting lists and high levels of dissatisfaction, a treatment like knee braces could potentially delay surgery.
Unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis is associated with misalignment of the knee, and unloader bracing has been recommended by various guidelines to correct this misalignment.
They can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life and potentially delay the need for surgery. Patients should be managed with a multidisciplinary approach with conservative management and knee bracing, before surgery is considered.