Arthritis is a common disease that millions of people live with worldwide. It can affect single or multiple joints, causing pain, swelling, and reduced joint mobility. The disease is prevalent in older age groups however, it can sometimes affect young people too.
Read on to discover more about arthritis and how supports can help you manage the condition.
The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs from ‘wear and tear’ damage to the cartilage around the joint. The cartilage (1) acts like a cushion between bones, allowing for friction-free movement. When it breaks down, the space between the bones decreases, leading to swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joint. In extreme cases, this becomes ‘bone-on-bone movement,’ making physical activity very difficult. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in weight-bearing joints like the neck, spine, hips, elbows, knees, and ankles but it can also affect smaller joints which are prone to repeated overload, e.g., in wrists, hands and fingers. It appears most frequently in age groups over 40. Evidence suggests younger people with a history of traumatic joint injuries, and those living with obesity, can also be affected by the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when a systemic disease in the body causes immune cells to attack healthy tissues around the joints. This leads to swelling of the joint lining. During the initial stages, rheumatoid arthritis often affects smaller joints in the hands and feet on both sides of the body. Symptoms may include pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. Other symptoms include fever, anaemia, fatigue, and decreased appetite. While it most frequently occurs in adults between 30-60, it can also affect younger people.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ in their underlying causes, but they share similar characteristics and have some common treatments options for symptom relief. There is no cure for the diseases, but with popular medical devices available like braces and supports, symptom relief, pain management, joint stability and mobility can be provided.
Having a joint affected by arthritis can get in the way of leading an active lifestyle. Devices, such as braces and supports, can be useful for people with the disease. From carrying out daily tasks to participating in physical activities, braces and supports provide external stability, compression, and warmth to the affected joint. This can help to alleviate pain and discomfort, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.
Braces and supports can assist in different ways, depending on the technical construction and the material composition. For example, knee braces worn around an arthritic knee joint provide stabilisation and allow for movement in a more controlled manner. They can shift the weight exerted on the joint and surrounding tissues, reducing pressure in the affected area. This, in turn, can decrease inflammation and pain which makes standing and walking easier for people living with the condition.
For joints affected by osteoarthritis, instructed exercise can be one way to manage symptoms of stiffness and pain. Wearing a support during exercise therapy can provide relief to the affected joint, as well as help to prevent injury.
Supports may provide specific benefits for those living with arthritis:
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and multiple joints at the same time. There are different types of devices available to manage symptoms that are designed to give proper support to the affected joint.
A knee support provides compression and warmth which can help people with arthritis complete everyday tasks such as climbing the stairs or bending down. Compression supports can help reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
Arthritis in the ankle can make walking the dog or doing weekly shopping a challenge. Wearing an ankle support can provide relief to the affected joint, making routine tasks easier and more enjoyable. For people living with arthritis in their wrists and hands, the range of motion in their hands can become very limited. Wearing a brace or support can reduce swelling, help pain relief, and improve mobility.
Actimove Arthritis Care Supports aid pain relief and increase joint mobility through soothing warmth and compression. Most of them are made with special ceramic yarns which retain and reflect body heat. Compression provides support, helping to reduce swelling, increase joint mobility and help to manage pain. The four-way stretch design and skin-friendly materials are soft and comfortable and suitable for those sensitive to latex, as these products are not made with natural rubber latex.
Actimove Arthritis Care Knee Support aids pain relief from arthritis. The knee support’s therapeutic warming combines with comfortable gentle compression. This helps to reduce swelling and stiffness in the knee, improving mobility and comfort.
Actimove Arthritis Care Wrist Support has a comfortable fit with light compression for aching joints. Combined with warmth through the reflection of body heat this helps to promote blood circulation to the region, reduce swelling and improve mobility.
Actimove Arthritis Gloves are a good choice for people living with arthritis affecting the joints in their hands and fingers. This can be particularly helpful when picking up objects, as stress on the joint is eased. These gloves aid pain relief when carrying out more dextrous tasks, like tying shoelaces or buttoning clothes. They offer pain relief through balanced warmth and medical compression, and the neoprene-free material ensures comfort and breathability.
The elbow is one of the joints least affected by arthritis. Management of symptoms like pain and loss of motion through non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and activity modification can be coupled with the use of Actimove Arthritis Care Elbow Support, which can help to maintain movement in the joint.
Actimove Professional Line Rhizo Forte Thumb Orthosis is clinically proven to help alleviate pain from osteoarthritis of the thumb. Wearing Rhizo Forte can help reduce the intake of pain medication (1) and can help decrease sleep disturbances often observed in symptomatic thumb osteoarthritis (2).
It is important to choose a comfortable support so that moving the joint is as easy as possible. This can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Ensure you consult a healthcare provider to choose the right type of brace or support for your needs.
Arthritis Care
Soothing knee support for arthritis designed with therapeutic warming technology to provide pain relief in the knee joint.
Arthritis Care
Comfortable wrist support for arthritis providing light compression and soothing warmth to help pain relief.
Arthritis Care
Comfortable warmth and compression to support pain relief and management of arthritis in the hands.
Arthritis Care
Features soothing warmth to help relieve pain and provide comfortable compression to reduce swelling.
It is important to note that braces are not a cure for arthritis. They can help manage arthritis symptoms and improve mobility, but they cannot reverse damage to the joint cartilage.
When choosing a brace or support, consider the weight of the brace and if you can tolerate it. Consider the materials and prevent any skin irritation due to intolerances.
Supports for joints can help to moderate pain and inflammation, while adding stability and mobility to the affected joint and reducing the risk of further damage. If you are considering using a brace or support to relieve arthritis symptoms, consult with your healthcare provider to determine what is best for your needs.
1 Essity/BSN medical GmbH, 2021, data on file, submitted for publication.
2 SGS group, 2021, data on file.
