Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction.
I've been in significant pain for almost a year now. I am hoping to have both knees replaced as soon as possible, but the insurance won't cover it until it is bone on bone.
So, I have a significant period of time that I can count on having to wear that cumbersome full-leg knee brace. I have had the knee brace for my left knee for about 6 months. I'm hoping to get one for my right knee soon also.
The braces are very cumbersome and take time to put on/take off. The brace slips down over the day's time and I can only adjust it by taking it completely loose and starting over. In the bathroom, of course, not able to be adjusted in a public setting. Also, we all know that it stays in place better when put UNDER the pant leg, not on TOP of the pant leg.
When I wear my brace on top of my pants, people notice right away, have sympathy, will stop their car to allow me to walk in front of them. They express sympathy. However, on Sunday I wear the brace under my pant leg. I feel like I'm never dressed nicely if I have a brace on the outside. But when I get home, I have deep impressions in my skin from the brace pressing against me.
Does anyone have any helpful suggestions for me for comfort, convenience, and ease of using the leg brace? I think they call it the unloader brace. Something like that. I don't wear skirts, so that is out unless I give in and wear long skirts. I swore when I retired I'd never wear a skirt again. Thanks for whatever suggestions you might have. I'm gonna look like a ????? when I have to wear TWO braces.
So, I have a significant period of time that I can count on having to wear that cumbersome full-leg knee brace. I have had the knee brace for my left knee for about 6 months. I'm hoping to get one for my right knee soon also.
The braces are very cumbersome and take time to put on/take off. The brace slips down over the day's time and I can only adjust it by taking it completely loose and starting over. In the bathroom, of course, not able to be adjusted in a public setting. Also, we all know that it stays in place better when put UNDER the pant leg, not on TOP of the pant leg.
When I wear my brace on top of my pants, people notice right away, have sympathy, will stop their car to allow me to walk in front of them. They express sympathy. However, on Sunday I wear the brace under my pant leg. I feel like I'm never dressed nicely if I have a brace on the outside. But when I get home, I have deep impressions in my skin from the brace pressing against me.
Does anyone have any helpful suggestions for me for comfort, convenience, and ease of using the leg brace? I think they call it the unloader brace. Something like that. I don't wear skirts, so that is out unless I give in and wear long skirts. I swore when I retired I'd never wear a skirt again. Thanks for whatever suggestions you might have. I'm gonna look like a ????? when I have to wear TWO braces.
What kind of brace is it, and where did you get it.
Some replacements work okay..but I have seen many many cases of people who get it done on the left and right..then have to have it redone on the same knee several times before its right. Also I have neck issues. I have seen people get one level of the neck done only to have to have the level above or below done a couple of years later; therefore, I am not going to get any surgical intervention done as long as I can still move around at all..I might be in pain but at least I am still ambulatory and at least I can still tolerate the neck pain.
On my other knee, the cushion is 75% gone, and most of the wear has been on the inside of the knee. The ortho doc ordered me a special custom brace. They measure my leg in several places and I got my "just for me" brace. It goes from half way on my calf to half way on my thigh. It has 6 velcro straps. It turns my knee outward so that my weight goes more on the outside of the knee than on the inside. It's really pretty neat. It's a bit cumbersome, but I'm very glad to have it. After a day of wearing it, my knee doesn't hurt nearly as bad as if I had walked on it without support.
I hope everyone who considers a brace will go ahead and get it. Whether it's from the pharmacy or specially measured for you. They all help. That's what counts.