Bracing vs Surgery: Knee Brace Pros And Cons
Any knee injury is debilitating and disruptive, but depending on the extent of your condition, wearing a knee brace may provide an effective alternative to surgery for your injured knee.
You should always consult with your doctor first, but if you are reluctant to undergo invasive surgery and a long period of rehabilitation, there are many advantages to a brace that provides extra support for your knee joint.
Applied Biomechanics uses cutting-edge technology to design a unique knee brace that may assist you in alleviating pain and increasing your mobility. Our high-definition 3D scanning system will accurately image your exact knee shape, where our CAD software (Computer-Aided Design) allows us to design a knee brace of unsurpassed fit and function.
In this blog, we look at some pros and cons of bracing and surgery as treatments for a knee injury or knee osteoarthritis.
Surgery Is A Big Deal
The first thing to note about knee surgery is that it takes a long time commitment because of the amount of rehabilitation necessary.
For most people, full recovery takes many months and requires the individual to maintain a strict physical therapy protocol to achieve the best results.
Recovery time varies depending on several factors, including age, weight, and overall physical condition and the type of surgery performed, from ligament repairs, cleaning up of torn cartilage tissue or a Total Knee Replacement. Despite undergoing surgery, patients may still experience knee pain and not regain full range of motion or use of their knee.
It’s also worth considering that surgery for a replacement knee will need to be repeated after 15 years or so, with up to 35% of men in their early 50s needing more than one operation.
The big upside to knee surgery is the freedom that comes from a successful operation that results in the restoration of full knee functionality.
Knee Brace Pros And Cons
For people who cannot or do not wish to go under the knife to treat a knee injury, there are a range of knee brace designs that reduce or eliminate pain and allow for greater mobility.
Unlike surgery, fitting a brace requires no invasive procedures or lengthy rehabilitation.
Many patients use leg bracing as a stopgap before undergoing surgery and find so many benefits that they decide they no longer need to go ahead with a knee operation at all.
However, some people find wearing a knee brace inconvenient, interfering with confident clothing choices. Others feel self-conscious wearing a brace and do not want to bring attention to themselves.
Getting The Best Advice On Leg Bracing
If you are weighing up knee brace pros and cons at Applied Biomechanics, we are experts in orthotic bracing and can help you consider all options available to you.
As the only OPC accredited facility in Guelph or Wellington County, we use state-of-the-art scanning technology and computer design software to construct knee braces that are engineered to provide the support you need and reduce or eliminate your knee pain.
During the construction and fitting process, our braces are designed by the same clinician who will work with you throughout the whole process from start to finish.
We do this because every case is unique. By allocating a dedicated specialist to work with you, we can provide a seamless experience that meets your needs.
Do you have any questions about knee bracing? Contact our team today to learn more.
