Question 1

What is the difference between a knee sleeve and a hinged knee brace?

Accepted Answer

Knee sleeves exert circumferential compression providing even support to the knee joint to help reduce swelling, and improves knee proprioception and joint warmth. Knee sleeves do not possess any mechanical supports and therefore do not limit any lateral movement. Hinged knee braces on the other hand contain rigid or semi-rigid lateral supports and do limit lateral movement. If pain is caused by knee movement in a loading and flexed position (such as pain experienced moving from sitting to standing, or going up and down stairs), then a hinged knee brace is a more appropriate option than a knee sleeve. However, if pain is nonspecific, generalized, and is primarily stiffness and swelling, then a knee sleeve will suffice.

Question 2

Can a knee cap help with osteoarthritis pain?

Accepted Answer

For mild and moderate cases of OA, a compression knee sleeve can be helpful during activity by reducing swelling and joint pain through a brace’s added support and reduction of mechanical impacts. A hinged knee brace better facilitates lateral support. For OA of a compartmentalized nature, where one side of the knee is more worn than the other, the unloader knee brace, such as the DonJoy OA Reaction brace, better serves to provide pain relief by shifting the knee’s load away from the worn compartment, something a compression brace cannot do. Though a plain knee brace can support a knee, they do not help with OA and the degenerative effects on cartilage.

Question 3

How do I choose the right size of knee cap?

Accepted Answer

To determine your knee cap size, measure your knee at the knee cap and refer to the sizing chart of the product you are considering. The Comfort Knee Cap, for example, has size ranges from S at 37 cm up to 44 cm, and XXL at 66 cm up to 74 cm. For the Comfort Hinged Knee Brace, M is at 42 cm and goes up to 48 cm, and XXL is at 64 cm and at 72 cm. If you are in between, it is recommended to go up a size. It is better for a knee cap to be a little too loose than too tight, since a tight knee cap will cause the brace to be uncomfortable and come off in under an hour.

Question 4

Will a knee cap be too hot to wear all day in Indian conditions?

Accepted Answer

The main consideration should be the knee cap fabric and how it is stitched. Cheap knee caps that are a single synthetic layer will trap heat and sweat after an hour. The AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap has a 4-way stretch breathable fabric that supports airflow, while compression is maintained. The Hinged Knee Brace has a breathable cushion that is constructed to stay open around the knee joint. If the Comfort Knee Cap or Comfort Ease Knee Cap is significantly more comfortable for extended summer wear, especially for seniors who are likely to spend more time outside in non-air-conditioned environments, then the Comfort Knee Cap or Comfort Ease Knee Cap is the better option. Hinged braces with velcro will be a little warmer and are best for winter wear or short wear periods.

Question 5

Will knee cap slide down when I walk?

Accepted Answer

Knee cap slippage is a common problem with cheap knee caps. Comfort Knee Cap’s 4-way stretch fabric holds the knee in place in every direction, as opposed to just the circumferential direction. The Hinged Knee Brace has adjustable Velcro straps that help conform the brace to the user’s specific walking gait. Both knee caps are designed to be slip-resistant without needing frequent adjustments. Proper sizing (measured at the center of the kneecap, not the thigh or calf) is the other important factor as a knee cap that’s too large will slide down, regardless of the fabric.

Question 6

Can my parent wear a knee cap under a saree or salwar?

Accepted Answer

The Comfort Ease Knee Cap and Comfort Knee Cap can be worn with any of your traditional Indian attire without the bulk. The Hinged Knee Brace has side hinges which may add a small bulk beneath fitted attire, but would easily fit a kurta-pyjama or loose salwar. The DonJoy and Premia braces are bulkier and are meant to be worn over the attire.

Question 7

Should I buy one knee cap or two?

Accepted Answer

If both knees have issues, which is common with the degeneration of the joints in older age, especially with osteoarthritis, buy two. The majority of the AGEasy knee caps are sold as a single knee unit. However, the Comfort Hinged Knee Brace is sold as a pair for ₹999, and is the most affordable option for bilateral support. If one knee is supported and the other knee is left without support, the unsupported knee is likely to be overused.

Question 8

My parent has had a knee replacement — can they use a knee cap?

Accepted Answer

The knee replacement changes the mechanics of the knee. For a sleeve that just brings compression and warmth, it will likely be safe. It would be best to check the support and compression level with their orthopaedic surgeon or physiotherapist. It would be best to avoid any hinged brace after a knee replacement, as it may interfere with the stability of the knee replacement. The DonJoy unloader brace should never be used on a knee replacement, as it would lack clinical support.

Question 9

Is a knee cap a substitute for physiotherapy?

Accepted Answer

No. While a knee cap alleviates pain and makes daily activities easier, it does not strengthen the knee or its surrounding muscles, nor does it improve knee mechanics or slow the progression of OA. Physical therapy focuses on the strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings, making the knee less loaded and OA progression less likely. A knee cap, when used with a physiotherapy program, can produce the best results.

Question 10

Why is the DonJoy brace so much more expensive than the others?

Accepted Answer

Because other braces and the DonJoy provide completely different functions. The DonJoy OA Reaction Web is a clinical-grade unloader knee brace. As it is designed for osteoarthritis of the knee and provides displacement of the joint OA load, it requires special hinges and an elastomeric web, both of which make unloader braces much more expensive to produce than the commonly seen compression fabric used elsewhere. Unlike a knee brace, the DonJoy is a completely different intervention. For more generalized knee pain, the AGEasy range is a much more economical choice. However, for compartment OA of the knee, unloader braces like the DonJoy, are a clinically appropriate choice.

Knee Supporters & Pain Relief

AGEasy Comfort Knee Sleeve

AGEasy Comfort Knee Sleeve

AGEasy Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

AGEasy Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

AGEasy Comfort Hinged Knee Brace for Knee Discomfo...

AGEasy Comfort Hinged Knee Brace for Knee Discomfo...

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap with Hinged Side Support

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap with Hinged Side Support

EasyTwist Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

EasyTwist Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

AGEasy Hinged Max Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Hinged Max Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Ease Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Ease Knee Cap

Donjoy OA Reaction Web Brace

Donjoy OA Reaction Web Brace

DONJOY Reaction WEB Knee Brace

DONJOY Reaction WEB Knee Brace

Premia Extra Comfort Knee Sleeve

Premia Extra Comfort Knee Sleeve

Premia Hinged Knee Brace with NeoFlex Material and...

Premia Hinged Knee Brace with NeoFlex Material and...

Complete Range of Knee Support Solutions for Everyday Comfort

FAQs

AGEasy Comfort Knee Sleeve

AGEasy Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

AGEasy Comfort Hinged Knee Brace for Knee Discomfo...

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap with Hinged Side Support

EasyTwist Wrist Brace with Adjustable Dial

AGEasy Hinged Max Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Knee Cap

AGEasy Comfort Ease Knee Cap

Donjoy OA Reaction Web Brace

DONJOY Reaction WEB Knee Brace

Premia Extra Comfort Knee Sleeve

Premia Hinged Knee Brace with NeoFlex Material and...