Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes pain and stiffness, especially in older adults. It can make it hard to walk, go up stairs, or do daily tasks.
About 1 in 5 people over 45 have this condition, and for many, it leads to long-term pain and missed work. A new study led by researchers at Keele University and Sheffield Hallam University has found that wearing a knee brace may help ease these symptoms.
The study, called PROP OA, was published in the medical journal BMJ. It involved 466 people in the UK with painful knee osteoarthritis. These participants were randomly placed into two groups.
One group received written information, self-management advice, and a personalized exercise plan from a physiotherapist. The other group received all of this plus a specially fitted knee brace.
The knee brace was chosen based on the specific type of osteoarthritis the person had. Physiotherapists taught participants how to fit and wear the brace.
Participants had a follow-up appointment and received text messages for six months to encourage regular brace use. Everyone in the study was asked to fill out surveys at three, six, and twelve months to report changes in their pain, physical function, and overall well-being.
The results showed that people who used the knee brace had slightly less pain and could move better than those who only received advice and exercises. Their quality of life also improved a little more.
While the improvements were small, they were still meaningful, especially for those who wore the brace as recommended. There were no serious side effects, but some people did experience skin irritation or rubbing from the brace.
This research is important because, until now, there was not much high-quality evidence to show whether knee braces really help people with osteoarthritis. This is now the largest independent trial of knee bracing for knee osteoarthritis ever done. It suggests that using a knee brace, along with advice and exercise, is a safe, low-risk option that can help manage pain.
Professor Melanie Holden, one of the lead researchers, said the findings show that a tailored knee brace can be a helpful tool for patients looking to manage their condition on their own. She also noted how valuable the close teamwork was between universities, the NHS, physiotherapists, and the patients who participated.
In reviewing the findings, the study shows that adding a knee brace to usual care may offer small but real benefits for people with knee osteoarthritis. These benefits seem to last for up to a year, especially for those who stick with using the brace. Although it’s not a cure, and it doesn’t help everyone the same way, it offers an extra tool for people looking for non-drug ways to manage their knee pain.
This research supports the idea that a combination of self-care strategies—including exercise, education, and the right supportive devices—can help people with osteoarthritis live more comfortably and stay active.
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