FAQs
How many hours per day should I wear my Action Reliever knee brace?
Once the Action Reliever is fitted we would initially recommend gradually building up the wear. Wear the brace for a few hours the first day, and increase this wear over the first week. Everybody is different with how well they tolerate wearing a knee brace but a good guide would be to increase this wear by half an hour at a time.
Some tips:
• Wear the correct footwear- this should be supportive and cushioning.
• Try not to sit around and stiffen up during the day, keep active.
• Avoid carrying awkward or unevenly distributed loads.
How often should I wear my Action Reliever?
Everyone is different but, once you have built up your wear time, how often you wear the Action Reliever is up to you. The brace works when worn, so if you are suffering from pain in the knee, or you know you are going to have an active day we would recommend you wear the brace for the active part of your day. If you are having a lazy day and your pain levels are low it is ok to have some time out of the brace, but try not to stiffen up. If you tolerate the brace well, and find the pain relief and stability beneficial, there is nothing to prevent you wearing the knee brace the majority of the day.
Can I do exercise in my Action Reliever knee brace?
Physical activity is beneficial for many reasons wearing the brace should help with a reduction in pain, and will allow you to increase your physical activity.
An increase in exercise will help to prevent muscle loss. Which will allow you to remain more mobile and help with flexibility. More physical activity will allow you to stay healthy, and will help to maintain a healthy body weight which will itself manage the pain.
With specific strengthening exercises start gradually with a few repetitions and gradually build up as your stamina, coordination and exercise tolerance improve. Some simple strengthening exercises can be found on the Chartered Society for Physiotherapists website - search “Knee pain exercises”.
Will wearing a knee brace make me weaker?
In fact, the evidence shows that wearing a knee brace will not make your leg weaker, it has the opposite effect and improves muscle power. The brace allows your knee to functioning normally, and the reduction in pain in the leg will allow you to load the leg more normally which will help to improve strength.
*“The 2- and 8-week effects of decompressive brace use in people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.” Lamberg, Robert et al. Prosthetics and Orthotics International (2016) 40(4) 447-453 DOI: 10.1177/0309364615589537
How do I wash my Action Reliever?
Due to the knitted fabric of the knee brace it is breathable, and it will usually be worn under clothing; so it is unlikely that it will need to be washed very often.
However, if you would like to wash the brace, we recommend either a cold machine wash, or hand wash. Before washing, remove the metal hinge and ensure all Velcro fastenings and the magnetic buckles are fastened. When washing do not use fabric softener and only use a small amount of gentle detergent washing separately.
Allow the brace to air dry and do not place on direct heat. This will allow the brace material to function at its best for longer.