Osteoarthritis in the knee can make it hard to maintain an active lifestyle, but luckily, the right unloading OA brace can help provide stability, reduce pain and get you moving again. Designed for more active users, the Donjoy OA Adjuster 3 Unloader Osteoarthritis Knee Brace uses a Four Points of Leverage System to take the pressure off your affected area, and features a contoured design to make walking and exercising pain-free more comfortable than ever.
Who Can Make Gains with the Donjoy Adjuster 3 Knee Brace?
This Donjoy Osteoarthritis Knee Brace stabilises and supports your knee, making it suitable for a number of different indications. This includes the following:
- Medial or lateral osteoarthritis (mild to moderate)
- Unicompartmental osteoarthritis
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Ligament instabilities and preventative measures
- Athletes and those looking for a tough brace for sports and exercise
What Is an Unloader Knee Brace?
An unloader knee brace, also known as an offloading knee brace, offloader knee brace or unloading knee brace, is the best choice for those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. It works by applying pressure to the knee joint on the opposite side of the knee to the side that is suffering from osteoarthritis, thereby opening up the affected side to prevent osteoarthritic friction. These braces are ideal for providing stability, reducing pain, and delaying or preventing the need for surgery and invasive procedures.
Should I Choose a Medial or Lateral Compartment?
Your choice of a medial (inside the knee) or lateral (outside of the knee) compartment knee brace will depend on which side of the knee your osteoarthritis is affecting. The brace will apply pressure to the opposite side of the knee to your pain, helping to open up the joint on your affected side to avoid osteoarthritic friction. For example if you suffer from:
- Medial Osteoarthritis: You should choose the Medial Compartment option
- Lateral Osteoarthritis: You should choose the Lateral Compartment option
Which Size Is Right for Me?
Designed in seven different sizes, the OA Adjuster Knee Brace provides you with tailored support. To find out which size you require, simply measure the circumference of your thigh 15cm above the kneecap and consult the table below.
| Size | Thigh Circumference (cm) |
| Extra Small | 33 - 39cm |
| Small | 39 - 47cm |
| Medium | 47 - 53cm |
| Large | 53 - 60cm |
| Extra Large | 60 - 67cm |
| XX-Large | 67 - 75cm |
| XXX-Large | 75 - 81cm |
What Is the Four Points of Leverage System?
This Adjuster Knee Brace provides clinically proven ligament stability with its patented Four Points of Leverage System. This system anchors the knee at strategic locations to shift pressure to the tibia from the knee, resulting in a reduction of pain and a more natural walking pattern. The Four Points of Leverage are:
- Anterior thigh Anchor
- Posterior tibia anchor
- Lower thigh strap to push the femur anteriorly
- Anterior tibia strap to apply an active constant load to prevent anterior tibial translation
Is This a Suitable OA Knee Brace for Sports?
This offloading osteoarthritis brace is designed to be tough and reliable, making it the perfect brace for getting back to sports with osteoarthritis. Since it's an offloading knee brace, it's only suitable for you if you suffer from compartmental medial or lateral osteoarthritis. If you suffer from osteoarthritic pain more centrally, or in both the medial and lateral compartments, one of the two braces mentioned directly below will be more suitable.
Is This Knee Brace Suitable for Bilateral Osteoarthritis?
No, if you suffer from bilateral osteoarthritis, or compartmental osteoarthritis on both the medial and lateral sides, this is not the right brace for you. Since an unloader brace is designed to shift your weight from the side affected by osteoarthritis to the healthier side, the offloading action of this brace will actually cause an increase in pain for bilateral osteoarthritis. If you suffer from bilateral osteoarthritis, we would recommend the Donjoy Full Force Knee Brace with Fourcepoint, which is a dynamic hinged knee brace for strong support and maximum stability.
How Comfortable Is the Adjuster 3 Osteoarthritis Knee Brace?
Contoured to the thigh and calf, this unloader brace for arthritis is exceptionally comfortable to wear. It is however designed with a rigid frame to be tough enough for sports, and a lighter, more malleable version is available for less strenuous activity in the Donjoy OA Nano Unloader Osteoarthritis Knee Brace.
Is This Brace Easy to Use?
Yes, in fact it's been commended by the Arthritis Foundation for ease of use! Its ease of application and comfort while you're wearing it make it feel great while it's on, providing minimal complication so you can get on with your activity.
Will this Offloading OA Knee Brace Fit My Knees?
This knee brace is designed to fit all knees, no matter the shape. Given that your thigh fits into the parameters in the sizing section below, the floating hinges will allow you to adjust the brace so that it fits snugly on your knees.
Which Side Is the Offload Hinge Located On?
The adjustment for the off-load on the hinge is located on the opposite side of the brace to the chosen affect compartment. For example, if you selected a "medial" side compartment, the adjustment for the off-load would be located on the "lateral" side of the brace.
The amount of adjustment required is individual to each person and their individual requirements. The adjustable hinge applies pressure to the good side of the knee to help relieve the pressure on the affected side of the knee.
Is This Knee Brace Suitable for Skiing?
While this Osteoarthritis Knee Brace will provide enough support for skiing, it may not fit with ski boots for all users. For this purpose it is more suitable for taller users, and it's advised that the brace is only guaranteed to fit with ski boots for users over six feet tall.
Is an 'Unloader' Knee Brace the Same as an 'Offloader' Knee Brace?
Yes, the terms 'unloader' and 'offloader' mean the same thing, referring to a knee brace that shifts the pressure from the side that you are experiencing arthritis. This helps to reduce friction associated with arthritis, while helping you to relieve pain and achieve a better gait.
What Is the Adjuster 3 Offloader Knee Brace Made From?
Made with materials that find the perfect balance between strength and lightweight performance, the Adjuster 3 Brace is made using Nano MAG Technology. This provides lightweight function, while still maintaining the strength of aircraft-grade aluminium.
Will the Adjuster 3 Stay in Place During Activity?
The OA Adjuster 3 is designed to stay in place during all levels of exercise. Its weight is drastically reduced compared to previous models, while mounted strap tabs and a contoured calf cuff ensure that is fits snugly and comfortably to prevent shifting during movement.
Can I Use This Brace in Salt Water?
Yes, this brace is suitable for use in salt water, making it ideal for intense sports like wakeboarding, waterskiing and kitesurfing. To maximise the longevity of all components and protect the brace, we would recommend rinsing the brace with clean water after each use in salt water.
Features and Benefits of the OA Adjuster Support
- Uses a Four Points of Leverage System to provide compression where necessary
- Designed to shift compression away from the degenerative area to healthy tissue
- Features swooping thigh and calf cuffs for inner leg clearance
- Swivelling D-Rings accommodate leg movement for added comfort
- Floating hinges allow a contoured fit with a double upright design
- Provides flexion and extension control to reduce uncomfortable movements
- Designed with a lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminium frame
- Features an anti-migration band that anchors to the upper calf
- Ideal for active patients looking to remain as active as possible
Documentation
| User Instructions |
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