Anatomy of OA
Osteoarthritis is a gradual degeneration of cartilage. While it can occur in any joint, it most commonly affects weight-bearing ones like the spine, hips, and knees. In the initial stage of the disorder, you will not experience symptoms. You may only get some pangs after a long exercise session.
However, as the condition progresses into its following two stages, the cartilage thins and roughens, becoming less effective at cushioning the joint and facilitating smooth movement. As a result, symptoms intensify. At the final stage, bone-on-bone contact occurs. You may experience constant pain, significantly reduced ROM, pain in other joints as they are forced to compensate, and muscle weakness in the affected joint as mobility and use decrease.
In the first three stages, clinicians recommend slowing the condition’s progression and improving pain and function. This can be achieved through bracing, exercise, activity modification, and if needed, medication and supplementation. Even at stage 4, specialists often advise delaying surgery due to implants' limited lifespan—surgeons want to ensure the implant lasts the rest of your life. Instead, they may recommend assistive devices like walkers/crutches and treatments like cortisone shots.
Hip Osteoarthritis - CoxaTrain
The CoxaTrain Hip Support has been found to reduce pain. Studies also show that it:
- Increases mobility by up to 71%
- Improves perceived stability by 59%
- And increases walking speed
It achieves this through compression, a hinged splint, gel pads, and a 2-tension strap system. The compression knit fabric works with the pads to stimulate the nerves and activates the muscles to help them better support the joint. Improving proprioception is crucial because OA often interferes with gait mechanics and muscle function. The pads work with the compression knit to relieve pain and reduce muscle stiffness.
Patients also reported that the CoxaTrain was easy to put on and that it was skin-friendly, breathable, and lightweight.
GenuTrain OA Knee Brace for osteoarthritis
The GenuTrain OA Knee Brace has a similar build to the CoxaTrain, incorporating gel padding, compression, and a system of offloading stays and straps. As knee OA often affects one side of the knee more than the other, the brace helps redistribute pressure away from the lateral or medial knee compartment, reducing pain.
The brace also boosts circulation, improves proprioception, and reduces muscle stiffness. Studies into the brace for knee OA patients found that it:
- Reduced pain by up to 48.1%
- Increased physical activity by 50.6%
- Increased mobility by 5.0%
- Improved quality of life by 13.4%
Since the OA incorporates some rigid parts, it may be excessive for earlier stages of the disorder. For these, the GenuTrain A3 may be more suitable. It is not a fully rigid brace, so it may not be ideal for more severe cases. In this case, you can try the SecuTec OA.
RhizoLoc OA for thumb osteoarthritis
Thumb OA can make lifting, grasping, and opening items difficult - but the RhizoLoc OA can support you through these movements. It incorporates a splint and an adjustable wraparound strap that relieves pressure on the thumb without restricting too much movement.
The open design makes the brace lightweight and comfortable, and you don’t have to worry about moisture buildup or odours.
However, due to the open design, it’s better suited to milder OA cases, whereas the RhizoLoc Thumb Stabiliser is best for more severe thumb OA.
Beyond bracing
While a quality brace can go a long way to relieve hip, thumb, and knee osteoarthritis, you should not overlook other conservative methods. As the condition is degenerative and affects individuals differently, a holistic approach is always best.
- Exercise: Exercise is key to maintaining muscle strength and function. For weight-bearing joints, it is best to avoid strenuous activities with a lot of impact (like jogging, team sports, tennis) and to focus on low-impact ones like walking, swimming, and cycling. For the thumb, it is best to avoid lifting heavy loads - you could still go to the gym. Just make sure to adjust your grip and use the help of wrist wraps and straps. You should also mobilise the thumb through its full range of motion - flex it toward the pinkie, extend it away from the palm, and curl your hand into a fist.
- Diet: Ensure you get enough Vitamins D and K for cartilage and muscle health. You should also ensure you’re getting sufficient calcium for bone health.
- Hot and cold packs: ice can help reduce pain by numbing the area. Meanwhile, heat can relieve stiffness.
- Medications: Depending on the severity of your condition, you may find relief with over-the-counter pain medication or prescription medication like cortisone shots. Speak to your clinician about your options. However, it's important to note that pain medication only masks pain. Unlike exercise, bracing, and diet, it has minimal (if any) effect on the condition’s progression.
To sum up
Osteoarthritis is currently incurable, but there are steps you can take to slow the condition’s progression. Studies and specialists recommend wearing a support or brace, strengthening the surrounding muscles, and eating a healthy diet.
Relieve your arthritis symptoms. Find your perfect support today: Arthritis Supports and Braces
