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Any recommendations out there for the best (reasonably priced) knee brace. I'm referring to a kind of "sleeve" one puts on to strengthen, stabilize a knee. Too many on Amazon to know what to choose! Thanks.
If you are really in need of a knee brace then I would suggest seeing PT or and MD for referral to PT for a fitting. Using the wrong thing is not only kind of worthless but may well HARM YOU. Not something you an afford. It can weaken muscles and tendons but it can also cause blood clots if allowed to be on a bent leg and act as a kind of garter. Most are ill fitting and run VERY SMALL. These can be good for very young people with hiking and momentary woes with a knee gone wrong, but the elderly need to be very careful of do it yourself medicine.
I would recommend against this, but if you are absolutely intent on trying one then try a substantial one that wraps round the knee and is attached with velcro straps at top and bottom and has a hole over the kneecap. None of these slip on models.
There is a $25 one and a $200 one. Both are specific. If you want to try one from Amazon, the better ones require you to measure the circumference for sizing. I own 2 of different brands. Both work fine for my needs
All my knee braces were recommended by my physical therapist. My Mom had one that had metal brace bars up the sides. I had one that didn't. They do lose their elasticity over time. All they do is stabilize and protect your knee, they don't "strengthen" it... in fact my surgeon says they do the opposite, they weaken your knee because it's not getting the right type of therapeutic movement to actually strengthen the supporting muscles.
Thanks everyone for the advice! I do have an appointment lined up in May with a highly recommended orthopedic doctor --earliest available, but yes he will be able to recommend the best kind of good solid brace. And I'm sure he'll recommend a PT too. (One of my doctors had some issues in this area, and I asked her if she could possibly give me the name of her doctor as I figured "doctors who doctors go to" must be good. Luckily, she's a lovely person and gave me the name of her doctor.) But I do have to get around without a car of late so I must be in "walkable" mode. So, I will try for the one with good solid elasticity and velcro straps + other things recommended by people here. Have a good weekend.
Make sure the ortho orders imaging, otherwise you (and the doc) have no way of knowing for certain what the problem is, and it also is the baseline to measure against any future degradation or change in your condition.
It usually goes: brace+PT+pain management; then if no improvement, another therapy like cortisone shots (2 per year allowed by Medicare), then gel injections (if appropriate) (covered once per year by Medicare); then if no improvements, then referral to a pain clinic where they will go over other therapies that may or may not be covered by Medicare, like PRP... and when all other therapies and options have been exhausted, then you are recommended to see a surgeon (if appropriate).
Geaton: You write: "Make sure the ortho orders imaging, otherwise you (and the doc) have no way of knowing for certain what the problem is, and it also is the baseline to measure against any future degradation or change in your condition." Thanks for this. My PCP has ordered X-Rays of both knees so I will at least have those going in to see the MD. And then presumably if he sees anything worrisome, he will order MRIs. Thanks for info on Medicare-covered cortisone shots. I know someone with big knee problems (way worse than mine) and she gets cortisone shots.
Cortisone shots are not a long-term solution depending on your issue and in fact are not good for you over time. If I had to guess, you probably have osteoarthritis in your knees (since they are both bad at the same time). Please do the PT -- it does help stabilize your knees. Also, if you are overweight, just plain old gravity will put pressure on your already stressed knees so losing weight will always be helpful. Sometimes the gel shots work for people and sometimes they don't but they are worth a try. They worked for my Mom but not for me. Mobility is important, so do what it takes to preserve it.
Definitely see a PT or orthopedic doctor. My 93 year old mom was fitted with an unloading brace for one knee to help with severe oesteoarthritis in her left knee. That helped much more to take pressure off her knee than any OTC elastic knee brace. Medicare paid most of the charge and her insurance paid the rest. It is relatively easy to put on and off even for her. This was her only option as she is a non surgical knee replacement candidate. Good luck.
Definitely see a PT or orthopedic doctor. My 93 year old mom was fitted with an unloading brace for one knee to help with severe osteoarthritis in her left knee. That helped much more to take pressure off her knee than any OTC elastic knee brace. Medicare paid most of the charge and her insurance paid the rest. It is relatively easy to put on and off even for her. This was her only option as she is a non surgical knee replacement candidate. Good luck.
I have had knee issues. No luck with sleeves or braces. Most helpful thing I have done is swim. I take an exercise swim class at local community college 2-4 days/week. Still need knee replacements but this form of exercise works best. Almost every one in my classes has the telltale scar, and we all swear by this.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I would recommend against this, but if you are absolutely intent on trying one then try a substantial one that wraps round the knee and is attached with velcro straps at top and bottom and has a hole over the kneecap. None of these slip on models.
It usually goes: brace+PT+pain management; then if no improvement, another therapy like cortisone shots (2 per year allowed by Medicare), then gel injections (if appropriate) (covered once per year by Medicare); then if no improvements, then referral to a pain clinic where they will go over other therapies that may or may not be covered by Medicare, like PRP... and when all other therapies and options have been exhausted, then you are recommended to see a surgeon (if appropriate).
Thanks for this. My PCP has ordered X-Rays of both knees so I will at least have those going in to see the MD. And then presumably if he sees anything worrisome, he will order MRIs. Thanks for info on Medicare-covered cortisone shots. I know someone with big knee problems (way worse than mine) and she gets cortisone shots.