Medical - Knee brace question (knee replacement)

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leehljp

leehljp

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Since this forum has a huge following, I am asking for some input on knee braces from anyone with experience. There are basically two kinds - $50 - $80 knee braces and then the $500 - $700 kind for Artritic support that takes the weight off of the joint.

Last week I found out that I am a candidate for knee replacement on my left knee, but I return home in 14 months for retirement. I would really prefer to delay surgery until I return home (US) as I don't want to stop my work here for 2 months so close to retirement, unless it becomes imperative.

My QUESTION:
The $500-$700 knee braces - Do they work for relieving or taking some of the weight pressure off of the knee when walking?

$500-$700: http://www.braceshop.com/productcart/pc/ARTHRITIS-KNEE-BRACES-c272.htm

$50 - $80 Click here.

I will be getting injections weekly for 6 weeks and am on crutches for now. I have been looking at the different kinds of braces and am curious if the $500-$800 weight support braces really work. 80% will be covered but I don't want to try something if people say they don't work. I will say up front that I am sick of the crutches after 3 whole days, but I can't go without them. My back is already in almost as much pain from the crutches - as my knee was.

I did see two people in the ortho-clinic last week with the expensive kind on, but I didn't think about asking them at the time because I didn't know the extent of my problem - Osteoarthritis, meniscus dislocated and degenerated, calcification of marrow (eburnation), knee cap cartilage gone on one side. Cartilage on the inside of the knee looks like a saw blade.

This is the knee that I had invasive surgery on 30 years ago from a sports injury. The ligaments are still tight and work well. But that injury is the cause of this knee going bad versus the other being just fine.

Your opinions of the braces and differences will be appreciated. It is hard to get definitive explanations of "anything" over here.
 
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I've had several knee surgeries on each knee (football in college, baseball minor leagues) and still have several knee braces. Two of mine are of the $500+, including one that cost $1100. The cheaper braces are to help reduce the likelihood of over-flexing, they do not help reduce the stresses.

IMHO, the better braces are worth every penny, and are comfortable since they are custom fitted to the shape of your leg and knee. I can't tell you the difference in comfort. You can go all day wearing the expensive braces, in relative comfort. You can barely go for a few hours in the cheaper ones.

Night and Day, seriously.
 
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Hank, I have been through the whole ordeal. The cheaper braces stabilize the knee but aren't able to unload weight from the bad joint area. It may delay further injury but the pain will still be there.

I had one of the custom molded weight unloading braces made for my right knee. It works by changing the knee geometry so you transfer the weight to the uninjured area, in my case, the outer knee was still OK.

Worked well for a year or so but after 18 months or so I finally had to opt for the total knee replacement.

If your budget or insurance allows for the custom molded unloader type, by all means get it. Like my doctor said, "you will know when it's time to replace your knee". You rely can't plan too carefully but the brace will certainly postpone the procedure.

Good luck!
 
Greg, Bob,

Thanks for this input. This is just what I was looking for. Comfort all day, stress relief, weight relief. Bob, you wrote one item that I had to look up and now I understand - transfer the weight to the other side of the knee. I was under the impression that the top of the brace would be tight enough to support and transfer the weight beyond the knee. :rolleyes: Now I understand the principle. Anything to help this out.

My doctor here only mentioned a brace and when I asked at the end of the examination, he only said mada, mada - later. Japanese doctors over all give very little detailed explanations. Most people just do what the doctor says without questioning. Americans like to understand what is going on, and why! :wink:
 
I have used an off loading brace for almost 1 1/2 " and it did a great job, but did have an off side to it. The bones on the side that were pushed to help off load the weight on my knee encountered more wear then it would under normal circumstances.
You mentioned using crutches and back pain. I would recommend using forearm crutches. They put less strain on your back and since they don't go under your arm pits it is less tiring on your neck and underarms.
 
Don't know at all..but sorry you are hobbling around..hope you find relief and go kick ass
 
nava1uni said:
I have used an off loading brace for almost 1 1/2 " and it did a great job, but did have an off side to it. The bones on the side that were pushed to help off load the weight on my knee encountered more wear then it would under normal circumstances.
You mentioned using crutches and back pain. I would recommend using forearm crutches. They put less strain on your back and since they don't go under your arm pits it is less tiring on your neck and underarms.
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Cindy,
Thanks for your input. It is appreciated. It looks like this kind of brace is what I need. I don't want to interrupt my work here so close to retirement and if I can, so I will wait until I get back home for surgery. I am waiting on email from my organization in the States for the go-ahead for the off loading type of brace.

Crutches:
I am looking for the forearm crutches but can't remember if I have seen them over here. Tomorrow, I am going back to the hospital for another injection and will go to a geriatric store! :eek: Maybe I can find them there!
 
Hank
Neither brace really takes the weight off the knee. The diffrance being the cheap one applies pressure to the patella or knee cap to stablize it while the more expensive brace or fuctional brace stablies the ligments. I can personal tell you from experince waiting for the surgery is a bad idea. I blew out my acl, mcl and miniscus in a ski patrol accident while getting to a call on the mountain. And I must say thoes where the most misrable 3 years my movment and genral ablity to function where greatly decresed. Hope this gives you some of the info you need
Fred
 
fstinard said:
Hank
Neither brace really takes the weight off the knee. The diffrance being the cheap one applies pressure to the patella or knee cap to stablize it while the more expensive brace or fuctional brace stablies the ligments. I can personal tell you from experince waiting for the surgery is a bad idea. I blew out my acl, mcl and miniscus in a ski patrol accident while getting to a call on the mountain. And I must say thoes where the most misrable 3 years my movment and genral ablity to function where greatly decresed. Hope this gives you some of the info you need
Fred
Click to expand...

Thanks Fred,

I will keep this in mind for sure. I was ready for surgery last week and even made preparations with the business office of the hospital. But the doctor nixed the idea and said to wait until after the injections. My US doctor seemed to be ready to go ahead with it, but he also suggested getting it done in the States when I had more time to recuperate without the pressure of work schedules as hard as I have over here.

Plus, Doctors over here don't bring people into the loop as to what they are doing - as much as happens stateside. I have a good doctor but when I went to him, I thought I had ACL and ligament problems. He is a sports doctor and one of the best for that. BUT, he is not a geriatric knee replacement specialist, which is the problem that I have. Changing doctors and getting second opinions over here is a no-no. I am kinda up the creek. I am taking this week by week for now.
 
Hank,

Until I read your last post about second opinions, I was going to say go ahead with the surgery. I had my right knee replaced in May '08, and was driving myself short distances in 2 weeks. (No, doctor was not aware.) I was back to work in 6 weeks, and except for the distance I walk in from the prison parking lot, it could have been sooner.

Naturally, everyone's experience can be different. I think what helped me was working as hard as I could on the physical therapy, and being sure to take pain killers before and after the PT.

Let me know if you want to ask questions about my experience.
 
My mother had serious trouble walking for years and last year had both knees replaced, she is fine now and I wish she had gotten it done much sooner. Good luck with it, it has helped everyone I know that has had it done.
 
Lee,
What kind of injections? Are they steroid injections? I have had Synvisc injections for the past couple of years and they have given me a reprieve from surgery for the time being until later down the line. It is a series of 3 shots over a 3 week period, and I have them every 6 months to a year. I walk up and down hills here in San Francisco and many flights of stairs daily in my job as a home care and these injections have made an amazing difference.
 
nava1uni said:
Lee,
What kind of injections? Are they steroid injections? I have had Synvisc injections for the past couple of years and they have given me a reprieve from surgery for the time being until later down the line. It is a series of 3 shots over a 3 week period, and I have them every 6 months to a year. I walk up and down hills here in San Francisco and many flights of stairs daily in my job as a home care and these injections have made an amazing difference.
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Cindy,

I am getting Synvisc also, but known as hyaluronic acid over here. (Only I refer to it as hydraulic fluid!:biggrin:)
 
nava1uni said:
Lee,
What kind of injections? Are they steroid injections? I have had Synvisc injections for the past couple of years and they have given me a reprieve from surgery for the time being until later down the line. It is a series of 3 shots over a 3 week period, and I have them every 6 months to a year. I walk up and down hills here in San Francisco and many flights of stairs daily in my job as a home care and these injections have made an amazing difference.
Click to expand...

Cindy,

I am happy that they helped you. My experience was that they helped one knee a little bit, and might have well been sterile saline in my knee that was bone on bone, joint-wise. Hopefully, Hank will have your results rather than mine.
 
Hank, I can't give you much about crutches or braces as I have no experieince with either. My mother did just have her Knee replaced three weks ago so when the time comes if you are looking for the same sort of feedback about recovery and therapy or all that give ma a yell. I can give you the run down of what she has done. I will say that she is up and around much faster than I expected. Hopeing to pass on a little incouragment for the days to come.
 
I had a Townsend Brace made for me, which is fairly common among the athletes who get injured.

Regarding braces, injections and other treatments, they will help until the cartilage is gone. Inevitable occurance.

Prior to the brace and knee replacement I also had micro-fracture surgery and general cleaning out of damaged tissue. Again it works for a while.

I have a neighbor with a bad hip who, for over 10 years, has avoided surgery because he doesn't want it done twice. Can't do crap and limps along every day but when he's retired life will be better. BUt maybe not?

After my retirement I've had colon cancer, skin cancer, and a prostrate that is barely holding together. But I'm healthier now (knock wood) than I have been for over 5 years. "God laughs while man plans".

Good luck.........
 
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