Knee Bracing in Patients with Osteoarthritis

The incremental value of bracing for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is unclear. In this U.K. study, researchers recruited 466 adults (mean age, 64) with knee OA and assessed them clinically and with x-rays to identify compartmental involvement. Patients were randomized to a standardized 20-minute program that promoted exercise, weight loss, and pain control, or to the same program plus a commercially available brace, deemed to be appropriate for the main area of involvement (medial, lateral, or patellofemoral). Patients completed a validated comprehensive questionnaire about pain and function at 3, 6, and 12 months.