Arthritis "Unloader" Knee Braces
According to USA Today, the number of knee replacement surgeries has grown substantially over the last 20 years, costing our government over 5 billion dollars. That amount will continue to grow as the baby boom generation continues to age.New technologies are being utilized to reduce the need for knee replacements. Stem cell treatments, partial knee replacement, arthrosurfacing and HemiCap Implants are just some of the new treatments being utilizing as an alternative to the joint destructive procedure known as the total knee. Another existing conservative treatment is the utilization of the arthritis or "unloader" knee brace. These rigid framed braces have been used for over a decade, and are designed to reduce the "bone on bone" contact between the femur and tibia. These arthritis braces are limited given the fact that they can only be used uni-compartmentally. If both compartments of the knee (medial and lateral) demonstrate severe arthritis, with lack of carti