topic Re: Unloader knee brace in Wellness

Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 12:12:43 GMT

Has anyone had success using one one of these braces for osteoarthritis and degenerative meniscus tears? Drs saying my knee is not ready for a TKR

Re: Unloader knee brace

Shelbelle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 13:23:43 GMT

I have not had any luck with any knee braces. I had torn meniscus surgery, piece of cake, but now I am still living with the arthritis in there, I have gotten the knee gel shots , and it does seem to help. I am also not a candidate for replacement.

Re: Unloader knee brace

Desertdi — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 16:11:41 GMT

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 19:41:03 GMT

Are you using this unloader knee brace (the one with the photo) @Desertdi

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 19:39:58 GMT

@Shelbelle sounds like me. Went to multiple Drs all said my knee is not ready or a TKR. Right now I'm trying the brace and started meloxicam. Had 3 gel shots and 1 cortisone shot. Not much more to do at this point. How are you managing your pain?

Re: Unloader knee brace

Desertdi — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 22:01:42 GMT

@theresa

No...I only posted the picture.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 23:15:01 GMT

@Desertdi that's very similar to the one I was given to try. I thought you knew about it because you were spot on.

Re: Unloader knee brace

We rescue cats — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:31:59 GMT

I had the 3 shots for my knee, it's been 6 weeks, 3 weeks of shots and 3 weeks of prayers. So this week I've had a couple semi-painfree days, though it was still uncomfortable. I have a sleeve that I wear, which along with ice it is pretty good. But I've yet to have a day that I can go up or down stairs without an assistance of a cane or banister.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:22:43 GMT

@We rescue cats I feel your pain. I've had my knee scoped 3 x torn meniscus. The 1st surgery was not successful the surgeon missed a tear that made matters worse. I needed to seek a 2nd opinion but due to the multiple scopes now I have developed osteoarthritis and another degenerative meniscus tear. I had 3 gel shots in May last week a cortisone shot now trying wearing this brace. One Ortho said my IT Band may be inflamed so I'm considering getting an IT Band injection but or now I'll wait to see how the brace and recent injection helps. I'm not a medication person so I'm trying meloxicam but it's only been 4 days taking it. Dr said my knee is not ready or TKR. Has your Ortho diagnose your condition recent MRI?

Re: Unloader knee brace

CJC — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:42:30 GMT

Osteoarthritis and knock knee here. Gel injections worked for awhile, but I'm way beyond that now. Doc had me try this knee brace at no cost with Medicare, but I returned the darn thing to therapist so she could credit Medicare. This brace has some weight. I'm petite and wearing brace felt like I was dragging an elephant along with me. Complicated to get it on leg properly. Also the bulk prevented me from wearing it under my jeans and pants. When worn over leggings it would slowly slide down my leg. Pretty useless for me. Scheduled for knee replacement in Nov.

Re: Unloader knee brace

Shelbelle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 13:31:29 GMT

@theresa wrote:
@Shelbelle sounds like me. Went to multiple Drs all said my knee is not ready or a TKR. Right now I'm trying the brace and started meloxicam. Had 3 gel shots and 1 cortisone shot. Not much more to do at this point. How are you managing your pain?

You and I must be going ot the same ortho doc !! I had the meniscus surgery 2.5 years ago, that was very easy but still had pain form the srthritis. Tried Meloxicam for 6 weeks, didnt do much for me and I was worried it would raise my BP so stopped it. Had 3 Synvisc One shots 6 mos apart, did some good but now I let the shot go, been a year, may call for one soon. I lost weight and exercise daily this was what the ortho doc said to me 2 years ago when he said I am not a candidate for replacement. He also suggested I research supps and try any I want to, so, now I do take lots of supp that are good for arthritis, one in parfticular is UC Collagen ll, also Boswellia and Ginger and shellfish free MSM and Glucosomine. I am curious as to why you never had surgery for the torn meniscus, so quick and easy recovery. I dont even have any scars from it,. So, keep weight down and exercise makes a very good start.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:36:42 GMT

@CJC are you bone on bone? My Dr is telling me my knee is not ready or a replacement. Also sought other opinions. May I ask your age?

Re: Unloader knee brace

We rescue cats — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:37:59 GMT

@theresa, thank you for your considerate response. Yes I did have an MRI, before I was sent to the Orthopedist. I injured that knee when I was in high school (LOL-graduated in 1971!) the ortho said it probably stemmed from that. I looked at him and asked if he had been born in '71!! The PA then came in and discussed options, one of which was a steroid/cortizone injection, I declined it beause I know what that does to my glucose levels. So we settled on the injections. It is finally feeling decent so I'm hoping it will continue to improve.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:40:37 GMT

@Shelbelle I did have 3 meniscus surgeries 2021 the first surgeon missed a tear and it never healed properly. In 2022 had another one done which corrected the problem but in 2023 had displaced fragment so I had surgeon #2 clean it up. Now I have osteoarthritis because of degenerative meniscus tears. Yes the meniscus surgeries were easy recoveries but the consequences after are not beneficial once you get older. It's great for younger athletes. Unfortunately live and learn. Lots of surgeons are holding back on more surgery because of this problem. I'm trying to avoid a TKR because I'm not bone on bone and none of these Docs feel my knee is ready for it.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:42:41 GMT

@We rescue cats I try to avoid cortisone as well rather have gel shots. This is the first one I've had in years. It's my understanding they can't repeat the gel until 6 months.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:45:06 GMT

@Shelbelle would you post pictures of the supplements you use please

Re: Unloader knee brace

Shelbelle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:05:54 GMT

Just to clarify, I am almost 72, I had one cort shot first time I saw the ortho doc, did me about as much good as a shot of water !!! I get my supps from different sources and also where I can find the best prices. I buy my Boswellia from Double Wood, usually get my UC Collagen ll from Vitacost or Swanson and the ginger from Vitacost and the Shellfish Free MSM/Gluc usually from Vitacost. You can find some of these on amazon too., I also take a Hyaluronic Acid cap daily, get that usually on amazon, Horbaach brand 125 mg.

Re: Unloader knee brace

Shelbelle — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:07:51 GMT

That brace looks more uncomfy to me then the actual knee pain itself, sorry to say.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 17:21:36 GMT

@We rescue cats glad you are feeling better. I was confused because you initially wrote the gel shots didn't give you enough pain relief and you had issues with stairs. Are you taking any NSAIDs? My gel shots (3) were in May so I can't get more until November.

Re: Unloader knee brace

theresa — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 17:22:09 GMT

@Shelbelle if it helps with the knee pain it's worth it sadly