The knee is formed by the union of two very important bones: the femur and the tibia, thus connecting the thigh and the leg. Thus, it is the central joint of the lower limbs that is responsible for supporting most of the body weight while the person is standing and hence, its great importance.
However, is a joint that performs flexion, extension and rotation movements, it often suffers from different injuries. One of the most common is osteoarthritis of the knee and it is therefore appropriate to know what it consists of and what benefits a compression knee brace guarantees to treat this ailment.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee and what are its symptoms?
The knee joint is made up of the femur and tibia, as well as the fibula, which are surfaces covered by articular cartilage. This cartilage can wear out for various reasons, resulting in osteoarthritis in the knee area. This pathology is characterised by the gradual deterioration of this cartilage and is therefore most often seen in older people.
However, it can also appear in young people who play certain sports or who have suffered previous injuries in the area. Osteoarthritis of the knee is due to wear and tear of the articular cartilage which, with the passage of time, reduces the protection of the bones and is therefore an irreversible and degenerative disease.
Its main causes or risk factors are the following:
- Overload from strenuous physical work.
- Direct trauma during sports or recreational activities.
- Overweight
- Congenital joint deformity.
- Metabolic disorders
- Result of other previous diseases (meniscus injuries, ligament injuries, joint bone injuries or intra-articular bone fractures).
Arthritis in the knee produces a particular clinical picture that allows it to be accurately diagnosed, and its main signs and symptoms are:
- Pain in the knee, the main symptom in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Stiffness of the joint.
- Inflammation in the affected region and even progressive deformity may occur.
- Failure of the leg when trying to put a load on it.
- Reduction or loss of function of the central joint of the leg.
- Inability to walk or stand.
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What are the benefits of using a compression knee brace to treat knee osteoarthritis?
In addition to visiting our doctor for a more accurate diagnosis, we recommend alternative therapies to attenuate the symptoms of the pathology in the shortest possible time in order to favour the rehabilitation process. One of these methods consists of compression therapy, which uses an elastic garment that exerts controlled pressure on the affected area in order to normalise the functioning of the vascular wall, optimise blood flow and soothe pain.
To improve osteoarthritis in the knee, it is appropriate to use a compression knee brace that provides support and protection to the joint, with appropriate elasticity. This type of garment is designed to guarantee the advantages that compression therapy promotes and, as a result, provides the following benefits:
- Decreases pain: Because it keeps the knee fixed to avoid the continuous movement that causes discomfort.
- Minimises inflammation: Because, by exercising proper support, it improves blood flow in the knee.
- Improves the rehabilitation process: Because it reduces the existing fatigue in the knee area and helps to recover its regular functioning.
- It offers protection in the area: It helps to avoid possible relapses by stabilising the knee and helps to avoid other more severe injuries.
- Ensures comfort and safety: With the use of these compression garments, the patient will feel more confident to perform any activity that involves the use of his or her knee after recovery.
- Provides stability for the sore knee: With this, there is little chance of increased pain and swelling.
- Boosts the performance of athletes: After recovering from arthritis in the area, these compression knee braces lead to better performance in general, thanks to the fact that they improve loads and increase people's confidence.
What type of sports knee braces are best for improving osteoarthritis of the knee?
When purchasing a compression knee brace, it is essential that patients with osteoarthritis of the knee ensure that they purchase the most suitable brace to soothe the discomfort in the area and thus avoid further aggravation. For this, it is generally recommended to choose a knee brace that provides the correct type of support in order to take advantage of the benefits offered by compression therapy.
During the purchasing process, it is ideal to assess the size or dimensions of the knee brace in order to select a correct fit that will regulate blood flow to normalise joint function, rather than strangle this process which may manifest other more acute pathologies. In addition, it is also appropriate to pay attention to manufacturing details (breathable effect, quality material, seamless, etc.).
We suggest the following options available to help you choose your compression knee brace:
Compression sports knee brace
This is a compression knee brace that is perfect for soothing the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee (and other injuries in the area), which is why it promotes recovery in a short time. In addition, it provides remarkable stability to knees that show weakness due to injury or other causes, and even reduces the stress and tension that accumulates in the area due to the concussion received. In addition, it eliminates fatigue and provides natural support without compromising the flexibility or movement of the joint.
Patellar Tendonitis Tape
As the name suggests, this refers to a tape or strap used to treat patellar tendonitis. However, thanks to its characteristics and benefits, it is also indicated to improve all types of injuries affecting the patella or knee. For this reason, it can be used during the rehabilitation process of arthritis, as it provides sufficient support to immobilise, stabilise and improve the affected joint.