In my opinion there are three unloader knee braces that top the list. One is the Donjoy OAdjuster, a brace with hinges on either side. The other two are single hinged knee braces: The Unloader One by Ossur, and The Thruster by Bledsoe.
There are other good singled hinged unloader braces out there (such as the OA Assist by Donjoy) but they are more for mild to moderate levels of osteoarthritis. The Unloader One and the Thruster have the ability to provide a large unloading force for more severe cases.
The advantages of single hinged braces are as follows:
- Generally lightweight
- May feel more natural on the leg
- Usually has less contact area: May be cooler in summer.
Disadvantages include:
- Can have a tendency to rotate on the leg.
- Offers less support and protection to ligament structures in high level / sporting activities.
- May not feel as supportive.
It is safe to say that the latest generation of unloaders have maximized the advantages while minimizing the disadvantages. They are also getting more user friendly as they are easier to put on and sizing is straight forward.
In order to determine which brace you need you require 3 pieces of information:
- Which leg you are treating – left or right?
- Which side of the knee your arthritis is on – The inside (also known as medial), or the outside (a.k.a. lateral). If you are unsure, check with your doctor. Getting the wrong one is not a good idea as instead of unloading the worn part of the joint, you will be increasing the load.
- A leg circumference – this varies from brace to brace but it is usually taken a set distance above or below the kneecap. Check the sizing information of each individual product.
Single hinge unloading knee braces have been shown to be effective in relieving the pain of osteoarthritis. For moderate to severe cases of unicompartmental arthritis they are an excellent choice.
For pictures and more information on the Unloader One, click here.
If you would like to investigate the Thruster, click here.
