Knee osteoarthritis does not always mean surgery. As a prosthetist & orthotist, we follow an evidence based conservative approach to reduce pain, improve mobility, and delay joint replacement. Our goal is simple:- help you walk pain – free, stay active, and preserve your natural joint with non- surgical solutions. IDEAL ARTIFICIAL LIMBS SOLUTION provide you best customized solution for your knee and prolong the period of surgery.
WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE KNEE ?
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis = “OA” = Wear and tear arthritis
It’s the most common type of arthritis.
That cartilage slowly wears down. Over time it becomes rough, thin, or even disappears.
Result = Bone starts rubbing on Bone.
That’s why it hurts.
How Does It Affect YOUR Knee?
When you have knee OA, you’ll usually feel these 6 things:
1. Pain
– Starts with activity: walking, climbing stairs, standing up from chair
– Pain reduces with rest
– In late stages: pain even while resting or at night
2. Stiffness
– “Morning stiffness” or after sitting for long time
– Knee feels tight for first few steps
3. Swelling
– Knee may look puffy due to extra fluid in the joint
4. Grinding/Cracking Sound
– Called “Crepitus” – you feel a grinding sound when you bend your knee
5. Reduced Range of Motion
– Trouble bending fully or straightening completely
– Trouble squatting, sitting cross-legged, climbing stairs
6. Weakness & Instability
– Knee may “give way” or feel wobbly
– Thigh muscles become weak because you avoid using the leg
Why Does It Happen?
Main Risk Factors:
1. Age – After 40-50 years cartilage wears naturally
2. Weight – 1kg extra = 4kg extra pressure on knee
3. Injury – Old ligament or meniscus injury
4. Overuse – Squatting, sitting cross-legged, heavy lifting
5. Weak Muscles – Quads and hamstrings not supporting knee
6. Wrong Alignment – Bow legs / Knock knees
UNLOADER BRACE
1. What is Ossur Unloader Brace?
It’s a 3-point pressure system knee brace designed for Uni compartmental Knee OA – means only inner side “medial” or outer side “lateral” of knee is damaged.
Work:-It pushes the knee slightly to “unload” pressure from the damaged compartment and shifts weight to the healthy part.
2. How It Helps in Knee OA
1. Pain Reduction – Reduces bone-on-bone pressure by up to 40%
2. Delay Surgery – Helps avoid or postpone TKR for years
3. Better Mobility – Walk longer, climb stairs, stand with less pain
4. Stability– Prevents knee from “giving way”
5. Non-Surgical – 100% conservative treatment
3. Who Should Wear It?
✅ Medial Compartment OA – Most common
✅ Lateral Compartment OA
✅ Patients who want to avoid/delay surgery
✅ BMI < 40 for best results
How combination of insole and knee brace helps to treat osteoarthritis without surgery ?
Brace fixes the knee, Insole fixes the ground. Together they fix the whole chain.*
This is called *”Biomechanical Alignment Therapy”* and it’s one of the most proven conservative treatments.
. Knee OA Unloader Brace –
1. *Unloads Pressure* – 3-point system pushes knee to shift weight from damaged compartment to healthy side
2. *Reduces Pain* – Less bone-on-bone friction
3. *Gives Stability* – Stops knee from wobbling
4. *Corrects Alignment* – Mildly corrects bow leg / knock knee
B. Custom Foot Orthotic / Insole with Lateral Wedge*
1. Changes Foot Angle – Lateral wedge tilts foot outward
2. *Reduces Knee Load* – Studies show 5-10% less load on medial knee
3. *Corrects Base* – Fixes flat foot, overpronation which causes knee to twist inward
4. *Shock Absorption* – Reduces impact with every step
2. Why COMBINATION = 1 + 1 = 3 Effect
Your leg is a *”Kinetic Chain”*: `Foot → Ankle → Knee → Hip → Back`
If one part is wrong, whole chain suffers.
**Without Treatment** | **With Brace Only** | **With Insole Only** | **With COMBO**
Foot collapses inward → Knee twists inward → More medial load | Knee is corrected, but foot still collapses | Foot is corrected, but knee still takes full load | Foot + Knee both corrected = Maximum load reduction
*The Science:*
1. Double Load Reduction – Brace reduces 30-40% load. Insole reduces another 5-10%. Total = 40-50% less pressure on damaged cartilage
2. Alignment from Top + Bottom – Brace aligns knee. Insole aligns foot. Knee now works in perfect centre
3. Better Gait – Patient walks more normally. Less limp = less wear
4. Pain Relief is Faster – Most patients feel difference in 2 weeks vs 6 weeks with single device
5. Delays Surgery Longer – Studies show combo can delay TKR by 5+ years
3. Which Patients Benefit Most?
This combo is GOLD for:
1. Medial Compartment OA + Flat feet / Overpronation
2. Bow Legs – Brace corrects knee, Insole corrects foot
3. Active Patients – Who walk >30 min/day
4. Post-menopausal Women – Common to have both knee OA + flat foot
4. ideal artificial limb solution prescription protocol
As a Prosthetist & Orthotist, ideal protocol:
1. Assessment – Gait analysis + Alignment check
2. Fit Unloader Brace – Medial or Lateral based on X-ray
3. Fit Custom Insole – With lateral wedge for medial OA
4. Gait Training – Teach patient to walk with both devices
5. Physio- Quad strengthening for best results
CONCLUSION
Insole + Knee OA Unloader Brace = Complete Biomechanical Solution for Osteoarthritis*
Surgery is not the only option for knee OA.
Result:
✅ *Up to 50% less load* on worn-out cartilage
✅ *Faster pain relief* and better walking distance
✅ *Improved alignment* from foot to hip
✅ *Delays or avoids surgery* by several years
✅ *Cost effective* vs joint replacement
Ideal artificial limb solution works on US , Germany technology they have so many knee brace in affordable rate. We have clinical proven result and patient success story those get relief from their pain without surgery and medicines.
