Soft braces are elastic and non-adhesive orthoses often used to reduce activity limitations.

They are commonly used due to their low cost and ease of use. Additionally, they are recommended as appropriate treatment for non- surgical management of knee OA.

• Ease of use: With mechanical bracing, despite improvements in patient reported outcomes, there is an unwillingness amongst patients to wear these braces for prolonged periods.

• Low cost: Soft bracing is mostly designed for compression and is usually elasticated. Due to the lack of hinges and metallic material, they are usually significantly cheaper than mechanical alternatives.

• Improve adherence: Mechanical bracing is often associated with poor adherence due to factors such as skin irritation, discomfort, bad fit, bulkiness, practicality and social stigma.

Underlying mechanisms of soft bracing

Potential underlying mechanisms of soft bracing to reduce activity limitations are:

• Improved joint proprioception: Soft braces supposedly act on cutaneous mechanoreceptors that contribute to improvements in proprioception

• Pain reduction: Tactile stimulation provided by a soft brace can cause neural inhibition leading to the reduction of pain signals

• Improved joint stability: Mechanical effects are usually associated with soft bracing. However, it has been suggested that a reduction in joint instability may be the result of additional sensory input from the brace, leading to improvements in proprioception.

Features and Benefits:

Improved Comfort

• Stretch Zones:
  • Aid comfort and freedom of movement. 
  • Expansion zones make it easier for you to apply and remove the support
  • Comfort zones ensure a wrinkle-free fit.
• Compression-Reduced Edges:
  • Help divert pressure at the ends of the support to provide a comfortable fit.
• Breathable, elastic, soft knit:
  • For Enhances Comfort.
• Anatomically-contoured knit:
  • Ensures optimal adaptation to the shape of the body for maximum comfort.

Optimum Fit

• Foam insert pads:
  • Made of breathable, shock-abdorbing and hypoallergenic material. 
  • Anatomically contoured, with stimulating nubs, they are designed to improve proprioception, aid compressive supprot around the joint, and to help massage, relieve pain and reduce swelling. 
• Non-slip silicone coated bands:
  • On selected knee supports help provide an extra secure hold under stress.
• Wide range of sizes: 
  • For many of the supports, from pediatric to size 7, designed to accomodate most body types. Pediatric size comes with an attractive red dot design.