Worldwide 350 million people are living with arthritis every day, this number doesn’t just consider adults, either; there are nearly a quarter million children living with arthritis as well. Arthritis is the USA’s number one cause of disability, and the most common type is osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 31 million Americans.
Some of the solutions that are offered for individuals living with arthritis include medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, massages, and yoga. For individuals with arthritis who have already tried a handful of these solutions, another option may be to go another route and invest in an arthritic knee brace.
Quality braces designed for knee arthritis might be one of the tools that help to alleviate the pain associated with this common ailment. For those who aren’t familiar with the abilities and functions of arthritic knee braces, consider the following information to find out how to ease the pain with an arthritic knee brace.
Functions of an Arthritic Knee Brace
There is a wide variety of designs and styles when it comes to braces that can help with arthritis in the knees. Depending on the style that an individual chooses to wear, the functions may be different. However, the common functions of knee braces that will help with arthritis include the following:
Heating
Keeping an arthritic knee warm is a key component of soothing the pain associated with arthritis. Support like the FLA Therall Joint Warming Knee Support wrap is commonly worn in order to retain heat from the leg and reflect it back into the knee joint.
Heat helps with arthritis by relaxing tense muscles and stimulating blood flow, which helps to improve circulation and increase the range of mobility that can be performed. Applying a brace that retains heat will also help to reduce the stiffness that is often associated with arthritis.
Compression
The application of pressure to different parts of the body can be helpful for a variety of ailments, including keeping specific areas warm and reducing inflammation that often occurs with injuries. Individuals who have arthritic knees may want to consider a brace with a high level of compression, as this detail will help keep the joints warm and protected.
Compression is also helpful for individuals who experience significant swelling due to arthritis, as this component can decrease inflammation and keep the joints comfortable while still allowing the wearer to have full mobility and movement.
Mobility
Many people make the mistake of thinking that wearing a brace will decrease their performance and mobility; however, this is not the case at all. Bracing has been shown to help individuals with their physical ailments, while still allowing them to perform at their previous level after they become accustomed to wearing it.
For individuals with arthritis, arthritic knee braces can be very helpful to improving their mobility, which is often lacking due to stiffness and discomfort. In order to do this, many knee braces have the ability to release tension in the sore area by offering added support to the knee and compensating for some of the weaker muscles.
In order to improve mobility, many knee braces are also designed with an adjustable system that shifts painful load joints from degenerative compartments to healthier compartments. The relief from pain and a full range of motion are key to improving mobility while still performing daily activities pain-free.
Benefits of Wearing an Arthritic Knee Braces
Added Protection
For some individuals with severe cases of arthritis, even having someone touch the affected area can be painful or uncomfortable. Often it can be helpful to have the area protected by outside factors such as a brace, which can work both to improve the joint function and also to protect the exterior of the area.
A great solution for added protection can be found in a knee sleeve, which can offer the compression and heat that the joints need, while also protecting the exterior surface as well.
Improve Joint Function
It’s common that people who struggle with arthritis are hesitant to perform everyday activities with proper form and posture due to the fear of added pain or throbbing. An individual with arthritis in their knees may begin to walk differently, rely on other muscles for help, or avoid movement altogether. Check brace view to get any kind of brace resources.
With arthritic knee braces, the ability for the brace to decrease pain can often give the wearer an improved sense of strength and ability in their movements. Individuals may begin to perform activities with better form, which can often help to improve joint function and allow the mechanics of the knee joint to continue to work properly.
Delaying Knee Surgery
In some cases, an arthritic knee brace’s ability to offer compression, comfort, and circulation can often help to slow the process of arthritis in the knee joint. As a result, individuals may be able to avoid possible knee surgeries, as long as they continue with their rehabilitation and continue to wear an effective arthritic knee brace.
Arthritic knee pain can be very aggravating, considering how much we rely on our knees for so many everyday activities. Even the simplest movements, like getting out of bed, walking down stairs, or sitting can be painful for an individual with arthritis, and it is often hard for these individuals with arthritic knee pain to perform movements the way they once did.
To help with arthritic knee pain, individuals should consider easing their discomfort by wearing an arthritis-specific knee brace. This kind of treatment is ideal for offering compression to the surrounding area of the kneecap, and many of the sleeves and braces available are ideal for retaining warmth and heat.
If you are considering investing in a knee brace for your arthritis, be sure to speak with your doctor ahead of time. With so many different styles available, it’s important for each individual to find the specific brace that suits their needs most efficiently.
