Bracing – Joint Pain Freedom

Specialist design. Support with a purpose.

A knee brace uses straps, hinges or a supportive frame to guide how your knee moves or carries weight. The right design depends on what your knee needs.

We work with Össur, an established specialist in orthopaedic bracing, to help you understand your options.

• Arthritis support. Certain braces reduce pressure through the affected side of the knee.
• Ligament support. Structured braces help stabilise a knee affected by ligament injury.
• Recovery support. Adjustable hinges control how far the knee bends and straightens during rehabilitation.

Understanding your condition and getting the fit right are the starting points for choosing a brace.

Finding the right brace for your knee

The right brace depends on what is causing your symptoms and what you want to get back to. Some reduce pressure through an arthritic knee, others support stability or protect movement during recovery.

Relieving arthritis pain

Unloading braces help move pressure away from the side of the knee affected by arthritis. They may make walking and everyday activity more comfortable when the location of the arthritis suits this approach.

Supporting an unstable knee

Ligament injuries can leave the knee feeling unreliable or prone to giving way. A structured brace uses a supportive frame and hinges to help stabilise the knee during movement.

Supporting a return to sport

Activities such as skiing place particular demands on the knee. A ligament brace may form part of your return-to-sport plan, alongside rehabilitation and an assessment of whether your knee is ready.

Protecting movement during recovery

After certain injuries or operations, your knee may need limits on how far it bends or straightens. A range-of-motion brace provides this control, with settings adjusted by your treating team as recovery progresses.

Knowing where to start

Start with an understanding of your knee problem. A physiotherapist, orthotist or knee specialist can help match the brace to your condition, check the fit and explain when to wear it. For lighter, flexible support, explore our Compression & Support page.

Finding the right knee brace

Different braces do different jobs. These four options cover arthritis support, ligament stability and controlled movement during recovery, which gives you a quick overview of the typically used knee bracing options that go beyond compression sleeves and support.

Össur OA Ease

A wraparound brace designed for mild to moderate arthritis affecting one side of the knee. An adjustable strap helps reduce pressure on the affected area, with the aim of making everyday movement more comfortable.

Össur Unloader One

Targeted relief for knee arthritis - A specialist brace, fitted by an expert clinician, designed to move load away from the side of the knee affected by arthritis. Options such as the Unloader One X offer adjustable unloading to help relieve pain and improve mobility.

Össur CTi

Stability for an active life - A structured ligament brace designed to support an unstable knee during activity. The CTi range includes lightweight, rigid braces used for ligament-related instability and demanding sports. The right model and fit depend on your injury and activity goals.

Range-of-motion braces

Controlled movement during recovery - Adjustable hinges limit how far your knee bends and straightens. Depending on the injury or operation and rehabilitation, your treating team sets the movement limits and guides any chan

Part of your plan to keep moving

A brace should have a clear role in your care, whether that is making walking more comfortable, supporting stability or protecting your knee during recovery.

Matched to your knee

Where your pain comes from, how stable your knee feels and what you want to do all influence the choice. A clinician can help identify which type of brace is suitable.

Fitted for its purpose

Position, size and strap tension affect how a brace works. Getting these right helps the support stay in place and feel comfortable during movement.

Alongside rehabilitation

Your exercise plan builds strength and control, while the brace provides the support or movement limits your knee needs. Follow the rehabilitation advice for your condition.

Reviewed as you progress

Your needs may change as recovery progresses or activity increases. Your clinician can advise when to wear the brace and whether its fit or settings need adjusting.

Bracing FAQs and fast facts

It can be a minefield choosing and selecting a bracing option. Ossur braces come with a 30-day return option, but it’s important to know what to expect from a brace and select the right one.

How is a knee brace different from a compression sleeve?

A compression sleeve provides close-fitting, flexible support. A structured brace adds straps, hinges or a frame to do a specific job, such as reducing load, supporting stability or limiting movement.

Which knee brace is suitable for arthritis?

An unloading brace may help when arthritis affects one side of the knee. OA Ease and Unloader are examples. The choice depends on the location of the arthritis, your symptoms and the support you need. Although the hyrbid Formfit Pro OA offers compression and mild offloading which many patients appreciate.

What is the difference between OA Ease and Unloader?

OA Ease is a wraparound option designed for mild to moderate arthritis; it is very comfortable and doesn’t require specific fitting. Unloader One X is another specialist unloading option. A clinician can help compare their fit and support for your particular knee. It offers a more powerful action for a more progressed disease.

Can I wear a CTi brace for sport?

CTi braces are designed to provide ligament support during activity, including demanding sports. Suitability depends on your injury, recovery and the sport involved. Wearing a brace does not by itself mean your knee is ready to return to sport.

What does ROM mean?

ROM stands for range of motion: how far a joint bends and straightens. A ROM brace uses adjustable hinges to keep knee movement within limits set by your treating team.

Do I need help choosing and fitting a brace?

For structured braces, clinical advice is useful to confirm the right design, size and fit. Unloading braces and braces used after surgery need particular attention to their settings and intended purpose.

How long should I wear my knee brace?

Some braces are worn for particular activities; others follow a recovery schedule after injury or surgery. Your clinician should explain when to wear yours, when it can be removed and when the plan should be reviewed.

Can I buy an Unloader through Joint Pain Freedom?

The OA Ease is classed as a type of unloader brace, but offers a lower level of unloading than the Unloader One option. You will need to speak to a clinic to purchase and have the Unloader One fitted, but that is a process we can support.

Ossur Formfit OA Knee

Who this is for: Early knee osteoarthritis, causing stiffness, swelling or reduced confidence during movement. Medical-grade compression with structured stability to help reduce knee pain and support comfortable, everyday activity without bulk.

£270

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Össur Formfit® Tracker (PFJ)

Who this is for For kneecap pain, patellar tracking issues or instability affecting sport and daily movement. Adjustable, targeted patella support designed to guide the kneecap and improve comfort during activity, in a lightweight, breathable design.

£108

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Knee cold compress

Cold and compression together can be a powerful way to calm an irritated knee. This easy-to-use knee wrap combines a reusable ice gel pack with gentle adjustable compression to help reduce swelling and ease discomfort after activity, injury, or arthritis flare-ups. Simple to freeze, quick to apply, and designed to comfortably support the knee when it needs it most.

£45

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Össur Rebound Knee Imobiliser

Who this is for: Following surgery or severe injury when range of motion needs to be controlled, setting the drop lock, or altering the brace length, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of the Rebound Knee Immobiliser knee brace. Simple and easy for everyone.

£198

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Össur Rebound Universal Panel Knee Immobiliser Brace

Who this is for: A simple and adjustable knee immobiliser for people who need the knee held in a stable, straight position following surgery, a traumatic injury or during emergency care.

£42

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