A new study has found that knee braces are one of the most effective ways to treat pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition. Based on a meta-analysis of 9,644 participants, the simple knee brace ranked highest in effectiveness to alleviate symptoms.
However, experts warn that getting patients to wear knee braces is a challenge. Clinicians say that while knee braces can provide immediate relief by supporting the load on the joint, some patients find them uncomfortable to wear.
Hydrotherapy and exercises such as weightlifting and yoga placed second and third in the ranking. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are also recommended as the most effective ways to relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
The study found that knee braces can be “very effective” for people with arthritis in certain compartments of the knee, but may not be helpful for those with widespread arthritis. Experts say that lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, are key to managing pain and preventing further damage.
The researchers compared 12 different interventions and found that ultrasound pulse therapy performed the worst across multiple scores, while hydrotherapy ranked second. The study’s limitations include short-term results and a lack of mechanistic improvements in knee function.
According to experts, staying active is one of the best ways to relieve knee arthritis pain. With around 33 million U.S. adults affected by osteoarthritis, finding effective treatments is crucial.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/06/18/knee-arthritis-brace-exercise-hydrotherapy-treatments