An Unloader knee brace can also be known as an offloading knee brace.
It is also included in the category term Arthritis Knee Brace but this would also include basic products that do not provide an unloading force.
The use of the word "unloader" is becoming much more common and it will probably take over completely from offloader soon.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and as a result is widespread and not focused on just one area of the body. Each joint that is affected also has widespread arthritis so unlike unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis, there is no "good" half of the knee to unload onto.
For this reason, Unloader Knee Braces should not be used by those suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.
A basic knee support may be of help in these cases.
Modern unloader knee braces decrease the workload of the worn half of the knee by shifting the body weight to the other side.
If both sides of the knee are worn there is no "good" side and any unloading of one side is likely to aggravate the other.
In this case a basic knee support is a better idea (and cheaper) than an Unloader Knee Brace
Both an Unloader Knee Brace and a High Tibial Osteotomy aim to unload the affected compartment of the knee. An osteotomy does this on a permanent basis through the realignment of the bones, an Unloader does this by applying an external force and can be adjusted to suit. An unloader cannot correct as much as an osteotomy but comes with significantly less risks.
Unloaders can be used prior to osteotomies and can help to delay the need for one. Some surgeons place all of their osteotomy patients in an unloader prior to surgery.
This makes sense as it is a way to "try before you buy" and approximates the effects of the surgery.
The latest generation of unloading braces are very functional and are designed to allow a high level of activity.
Aerial skiers in the Olympic Games frequently wear ACL braces on both legs and these braces are very similar to unloaders such as the Donjoy OAdjuster.
If they can do triple backflips in two braces you can probably make it down the slope in one.
Many people unfortunately suffer from knee osteoarthritis in both legs. This prompts the question: "Can you wear an unloader knee brace on both legs at the same time?"
The answer is generally Yes.
Modern unloading knee braces are very low profile ensuring they don't get in the way of each other.
The Donjoy OAdjuster previously had the unloading hinges prominent on the frame but the current model has addressed this making it easy to wear two at once.
Most people try out an unloader on the worst knee and if they get a good result move on to the second.
