Knee Issues Can Keep You From Living Life to the Fullest
If you’re a regular browser of the Learning Center here at Nursing Home Reviews, you know we’re constantly talking about how important it is to keep active as a senior. Daily exercise is not only needed to maintain good mobility and balance, it also boasts numerous mental health benefits. However, if you’re having issues with your joints, getting daily exercise can seem next to impossible.
As you age, joint pain becomes more and more common. One joint that’s affected more than some others is the knee. It’s typical for your knees to see plenty of wear and tear after years of activity. The more worn out your knees become, the more they affect your mobility in negative ways.
Numerous knee injury issues, including meniscus tear, other meniscus injury, or injury or trauma to the tendons surrounding the knee joint kneecap can cause moderate to severe knee pain if not treated effectively. More seniors than ever are needing knee replacement surgery or extensive visits to a physical therapist to correct extensive damage done to the joint over the years. Other seniors live with common joint issues, such as osteoarthritis, that require regular treatment to help reduce pain and stiffness in the knees or behind or around the knee cap (a.k.a. the patella).
Knee pain treatment often utilizes the use of a common assistive device: the knee brace. It doesn’t matter whether you’re simply experiencing discomfort or the pain in your knee keeps you from completing many daily activities, a knee brace can be a major help.
The Senior’s Guide is an ongoing series here at Nursing Home Reviews designed to help you learn more about new technology and trends that can make your golden years easier. Today, we’re going to look at some of the best knee braces for seniors, and what makes them so helpful.
First and Foremost, Comfort is Vital
One common issue that seniors have with knee braces is that they can be very uncomfortable to wear. Many common complaints about some knee braces on the market include:
- Issues with extreme tightness
- Issues with the brace being too loose
- Discomfort of Velcro digging into one’s skin
- Cumbersome to wear when moving
As a result, many companies are working to create more comfortable knee brace options for everyday use. In fact, most manufacturers are moving away from strappy knee braces toward sleeve-style compression supports. These knee compression sleeve supports tend to be some of the best knee brace options for a number of reasons:
- They’re easy to put on
- They’re less cumbersome, allowing for better range of motion
- They’re not super-bulky
- They offer appropriate pain relief and knee support for the kneecap and knee joint as a whole
- They’re some of the most affordable knee brace options on the market
The lack of hinges and straps can make knee compression sleeve braces a great option for seniors looking for comfortable knee braces that fit snuggly around the patella. However, knee compression sleeve braces do have their drawbacks. If you purchase a compression brace, it’s important to choose the correct size. It’s just as important to read the reviews. Some customers laud the affordability, but note that knee compression sleeve braces can cause chafing with high levels of sweat and activity.
To compete with knee compression sleeve braces, manufacturers of knee braces featuring straps and metal hinges are constantly looking for ways to make their products more comfortable. It’s hard to deny the stability that a hinged brace can give when you’re looking for knee braces for arthritis and osteoarthritis. These types of knee braces can also deliver much-needed compression to combat aching knee joints.
While companies are striving to improve hinged braces, the simple truth is that they aren’t always the most comfortable. It’s common for these knee braces to cause chafing where the adjustable straps connect, and the Velcro straps can dig into the skin if you’ve unknowingly attached them too tight. They also tend not to be the most affordable knee braces available.
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Quality Knee Braces Are Quickly Becoming More Affordable
In the past, looking for knee braces for osteoarthritis or other types of joint pain could be a chore. It was hard to find a high-quality knee brace that wasn’t going to break the bank. Today, manufacturers are constantly releasing new affordable knee brace options that can easily deliver the comfort, compression, and knee support you need.
As with anything in life, expensive doesn’t always mean better. Some of the best knee braces with high marks cost less than $100. These include both compression sleeve braces and hinged braces.
Of course, the word “best” is always subjective! What you may consider the best knee brace for seniors may differ from what we consider best, and that’s okay. The important thing is that no matter what type of brace you choose, it’s comfortable, affordable, and improves your quality of life.
