Your knees are crucial for joint for your activities of daily life. From getting up in the morning, to walking the dog and keeping up with the kids, your knees are constantly working. When your knees are in pain, simple daily tasks become difficult. Knee pain can be debilitating and limiting, but the cause can vary. From faulty biomechanics during gait to arthritis, injury and muscular imbalances, knee pain requires care and attention. We want to keep you and your knees feeling happy and healthy, so show your knees some love with BioPed Footcare’s wide range of products.
Knee sleeve
A sized compression sleeve for the knee based on measurements above and below the joint, the Ortho Sleeve gives between 15-20 mmHg compression to the joint, with the exception of the back of the knee and the kneecap for comfort. The compression keeps swelling down and increases your proprioception of the joint for better awareness, and tracking and decreased pain. It can be worn under any article of clothing including leggings and tight fitting pants for any and all activities. Handwashing is recommended as is air drying.
When to use – Achiness, mild swelling, unknown cause of pain without traumatic injury, manageable symptoms, maintenance of an old, stable injury
Over-the-counter knee braces
BioPed clinics carry an array of Bauerfeind Genutrain knee braces. These are over-the-counter fitted options, based on measurements taken by a clinician, to increase support, stability and compression to the knee joint to relieve pain. All are made of compressive knit material that hugs the knee to reduce swelling and pain while increasing proprioception. They also all feature a donut disc of cushion around the patella to maintain proper knee tracking. There are several models varying from low to high support. Our two most common are:
- Genutrain: Semi-rigid plastic supports along the the inside and outside of the leg for increased stability, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; mild stability and pain relief for general knee pain; suitable for all leg shapes and types for a wide range of activities from mild walking to sport; custom sizing available
- Genutrain S: Rigid hinged metal stability rails along the inside and outside aspectsof the joint, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; aggressive stability for alignment tracking and pain relief suitable for arthritis and more progressive knee deterioration or post injury; suitable for all levels of activity
Custom made knee braces
If you have been diagnosed with medial or lateral compartment arthritis or have a full or partial MCL, ACL or LCL tear, custom knee bracing may be the way to go. These braces are more of an exoskeleton with a rigid frame and the capacity to offload medial or lateral compartments for arthritic knees and stabilize the joint to act as those torn ligaments during the initial recovery process.
- Osskin Evoke/Provoke: The Osskin Evoke knee brace is an OA (osteoarthritis) custom knee brace designed for off loading of either the medial or lateral compartment to relieve pain and improve movement in an arthritic knee. It is also designed to be lightweight and low in profile for increased patient compliance and versatility.
The Osskin Provoke has all of the same principles with one key difference – it is designed for ligament instability as opposed to OA.
- DJO Custom braces: These are classic custom braces made by DonJoy, that we see regularly as a rigid frame from mid thigh to mid calf, hinges, usually a metal or fibreglass framework for stabilization and offloading to relieve pain for a variety of conditions.
Custom made orthotics
When knee pain is related to faulty biomechanics in the way we walk and stand, custom made orthotics can help to correct our stance and gait to offload the pressure on the knee. Recent studies have reported that people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis have a relatively pronated foot posture. Custom made orthotics that support the natural arch, limit over pronation and control the movement of the mid foot and re-align the rear foot for a more neutral position help decrease pain by realigning the angles of the foot and knee from the ground up.
Come see us
Book an assessment online or over the phone today with your Certified Canadian Pedorthist at a BioPed near you to learn about your knee care options and get back to doing more with less knee pain!
