Offloader Knee Braces for Medial & Lateral Knee OA - The Move Clinic
Offloader Knee Braces for Knee Arthritis: How They Work (and Why They Don’t Weaken Your Knee)
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy, and at The Move Clinic we frequently assess and treat patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). For many people, OA pain isn’t spread evenly throughout the whole knee — it tends to be worse on one side of the joint.
This is exactly where an offloader knee brace can be incredibly helpful.
Offloader braces are designed to reduce pressure through the painful side of the knee joint — whether that is:
medial compartment OA (inner knee arthritis), or
lateral compartment OA (outer knee arthritis)
They’re also particularly effective when used alongside a physiotherapy rehabilitation programme, and they can work extremely well in conjunction with injection treatments such as hyaluronic acid (HA), PRP, or Arthrosamid.
At The Move Clinic, we prescribe DonJoy ROAM offloader braces, and we are an affiliate clinic.
What Is an Offloader Knee Brace?
An offloader brace is a structured knee brace that provides a controlled corrective force through the joint. Unlike basic neoprene supports, an offloader brace is designed to change joint mechanics.
The brace helps by:
decreasing compression through the arthritic side of the knee
redistributing force toward the healthier compartment
improving knee alignment during walking and standing
reducing pain and flare-ups triggered by load
In practical terms, it can reduce pain while walking, help people feel more stable, and allow them to return to exercise sooner and more comfortably.
Medial vs Lateral Knee Osteoarthritis: Why One Side Matters
Knee OA is often described as “wear and tear”, but modern understanding recognises osteoarthritis as a condition influenced by:
inflammation
joint loading
biomechanics
strength and control of surrounding muscles
activity volume and recovery
Many patients have OA primarily in one compartment:
Medial Knee OA (Inner Compartment)
Often linked with a mild “bow-legged” (varus) alignment, with pain typically felt on the inside of the knee.
Lateral Knee OA (Outer Compartment)
Less common, but very important — and can be extremely limiting. Often linked with a “knock-kneed” (valgus) alignment, with pain felt on the outside of the knee.
Offloader braces can be adjusted to target either compartment.
Offloader Knee Braces + Physiotherapy: A Proven Combination
At The Move Clinic, physiotherapy remains the foundation of knee OA management.
A high-quality physiotherapy programme may include:
quadriceps strengthening
glute strength and pelvic stability work
calf strengthening
movement re-training (stairs, squats, step-ups)
walking progression and load management
return-to-sport programming where appropriate
However, many people struggle because pain prevents them from loading properly. This often leads to:
reduced walking tolerance
inconsistent rehab
fear of movement
flare-ups and setbacks
Offloader braces reduce pain enough to allow you to move better and train better, which is crucial for long-term improvement.
Do Knee Braces Weaken Your Knee? (Myth Busted)
A common concern is:
“If I wear a brace, won’t my knee become dependent on it and get weaker?”
This is a myth — and it holds many people back from a tool that could genuinely help.
Offloader braces do not weaken your knee.
In fact, they often do the opposite by allowing you to:
walk further with less pain
exercise more consistently
strengthen your quads and glutes more effectively
rebuild function with confidence
The brace does not replace your muscles — it reduces harmful joint stress so your knee can tolerate loading and rehabilitation.
At The Move Clinic we typically advise patients to use offloader braces strategically:
for longer walks
standing-heavy days
gym sessions
sport (when appropriate)
rather than “all day every day” unless needed.
Offloader Knee Braces Work Extremely Well with Injections
For many patients, the most effective approach is combining:
biomechanical management (brace)
tissue capacity and strength (physiotherapy)
and symptom control / inflammation management (injections)
This combination can reduce pain, improve function, and accelerate your return to activity.
Offloader Brace + HA Injections (Hyaluronic Acid)
HA can improve joint lubrication and reduce pain for many patients with OA. Bracing helps by reducing repetitive stress on the painful compartment, often supporting longer-lasting symptom improvement.
Offloader Brace + PRP Injections
PRP may reduce inflammatory symptoms and improve joint environment, particularly in mild to moderate OA. Offloading can reduce load-provoked flare-ups while strengthening progresses.
Offloader Brace + Arthrosamid
Arthrosamid is commonly used where longer duration symptom improvement is desired. Offloader braces are an excellent partner to Arthrosamid because they address the mechanical driver: excessive compartment load.
Why We Use DonJoy ROAM Offloader Braces at The Move Clinic
Not all braces are equal.
Offloader braces require:
correct diagnosis (which compartment is affected)
accurate fitting
appropriate adjustment and progression
At The Move Clinic, we use the DonJoy ROAM offloader knee brace because it provides:
reliable compartment offloading
strong clinical performance
comfort and stability for daily use
suitability for walking, gym, and selected sports
As an affiliate clinic, we can guide patients through selection and fitting as part of a complete knee OA plan.
Who Is a Good Candidate for an Offloader Knee Brace?
You may benefit if you have:
medial or lateral knee OA
pain with walking, standing, stairs
flare-ups after activity
reduced confidence or stability
symptoms persisting despite strengthening efforts
a desire to stay active and avoid surgery where possible
Even if you’ve already tried injections, an offloader brace can be an excellent next step.
Book a Knee Physiotherapy Assessment at The Move Clinic
If you’re struggling with knee arthritis pain, we can assess:
which compartment is involved (medial or lateral)
your alignment, biomechanics and movement patterns
whether an offloader brace is appropriate
the best physiotherapy rehab plan for your goals
and whether injection therapy (HA / PRP / Arthrosamid) should be part of your management
Book a physiotherapy appointment at The Move Clinic and we’ll help you build a clear plan to reduce pain, restore function, and return to what you enjoy.