When you envision a knee brace, you may think of a device used primarily by athletes or by patients who have had extensive knee surgery. But if you are among the 22% of the population that has arthritis, you should know that there are braces designed specifically to relieve the pain and swelling associated with your condition.
These arthritis braces work by reducing the pressure on the knee caused by standing or walking and by providing support and warmth to the knee. In our Best Knee Brace for Arthritis Guide, we will discuss the various types of arthritis braces and provide information about how to select the right one.
Things You Should Know
There are three basic types of arthritis knee braces:
- General Knee Supports. These provide compression and warmth that reduce pain and swelling and work best for MILD arthritis.
- Advanced Support Braces. These provide stronger support for the knee ligaments and help evenly distribute the weight on the knee when walking or standing. They work best for MILD TO MODERATE arthritis.
- Unloader Arthritis Knee Braces. These braces reduce the weight going through the most diseased part of the knee by changing the angle of the knee joint with special brace hinges. Often custom-made, these braces are used primarily for SEVERE arthritis.
Other terms that are important to keep in mind when choosing a knee brace are “closed patella” and “open patella”. When a brace is a “closed patella” brace, that means it is a solid sleeve with no opening for the knee cap. When a brace is an “open patella” brace, there is a small opening over the knee cap. Great examples of both appear in our top 6 list
You will not find any unloader braces in our Best Knee Brace for Arthritis guide since, as noted, most of these are custom-made and work best for severe arthritis. We encourage you to discuss this type of brace with your physician if you find that general knee supports or advanced support braces aren’t doing the job.
Top 6 Knee Braces for Arthritis Chart
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Ultra Flex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support for Running | General – Closed Patella | $$ | 4.9 |
 | 2. Li-Ning Knee Brace Compression Support Sleeve for Sports | General – Closed Patella | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 3. Tech Ware Pro Knee Brace Support Relieves ACL | Advanced – Open Patella | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 4. Knee Brace by NeotericBody | Advanced – Open Patella | $ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Ultra Flex Athletics | Best Knee Brace & Support Open Patella | Advanced – Open Patella | $$$ | 4.3 |
 | 6. Neo G Medical Grade VCS Advanced Hinged Open Patella Knee Brace | Advanced – Open Patella | $$$$ | 4.4 |
Buying Information for Knee Braces for Arthritis
Arthritis sufferers usually implement a multi-layered treatment regimen including medication, strength training to build muscle around joints, rest and physical therapy. Many of them, often at the recommendation of their physicians, have also found knee braces work well in diminishing pain, providing support and allowing them to engage more often in favorite activities. For the elderly with arthritis, knee braces also increase confidence when walking and may reduce the risk of falls because they provide a stabilizing effect.
In determining the right brace for you, focus first on the amount of support you feel you need – basic, moderate or high. Then consider the design that will work best for your lifestyle. A pull up sleeve, for example, might be the simplest design and the easiest to get on but if you have pain in your knee cap, an open patella brace would be a better choice.
Top 3 Best Knee Brace for Arthritis Reviews
1. Ultra Flex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
If you don’t need an open-patella design because of knee cap pain, this compression sleeve is one of the best available for mild to moderate arthritis. Though it provides nice, snug support once on, it is easy to pull up and it doesn’t slip, slide or roll during activity like some sleeve style braces.
The product comes in sizes small, medium or large with either moderate or high compression levels (the fit is very true so follow the manufacturer’s instructions about measuring carefully). Moderate compression is best for routine activity and typical arthritis aches and pains. High compression is best if you’re very active or plan to be walking and/or standing for long periods.
Because it is ultra-lightweight, this brace is breathable and it can easily be worn under clothing with no visibility.
2. Li-Ning Knee Brace Compression Support
One of the most popular brands in Europe and the U.S., Li-Ning was founded by the famous Chinese gymnast Li Ning in 1990 – someone who likely knows a lot about knee pain! This knee brace, like their other products, is made of top quality material and is very durable.
Also a closed-patella design, it has an ergonomic curve to its shape that most users love. The brace still gives a high level of support but we found that it’s a little more comfortable over long hours of wear than a straight sleeve design.
The fabric is breathable but provides a lot of warmth and can be worn under clothing comfortably without being obvious. We did find that the brace runs a little small, so keep that in mind when choosing size.
3. Tech Ware Pro Knee Brace
The most highly rated open-patella brace in our top 6 list, this Tech Ware Pro product is lightweight and surprisingly comfortable considering all the straps and stitching. While the sleeve style braces provide a bit more compression, this brace is ultra-supportive.
Many open patella designs have straps on one side only, but this brace has alternating Velcro straps and 4 spring stabilizers ensuring that support is uniform around the knee. This level of support makes the knee feel very stable during walking or standing.
Made of special, moisture-wicking neoprene, the brace keeps the knee area drier than others we tried but still didn’t slip or roll during the day. If you prefer or need the open-patella style, this is the brace for you.