Knee osteoarthritis can make everyday tasks, like walking, uncomfortable and challenging — especially for older adults in the UK. The aching pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility it brings can make even simple movements difficult. Wearing the right knee brace can help manage this pain and support your joint, making daily life easier. In this guide, we’ll explore three common types of knee braces — unloader, hinged, and compression — to help you find the one best suited to your stage of osteoarthritis and lifestyle.

Understanding Osteoarthritis and How It Affects You

Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage in your knee gradually wears away. This leaves bones rubbing against each other, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and making movement harder. Walking can become painful because your knee carries your body’s weight, putting extra pressure on damaged parts.

If your osteoarthritis is advanced — sometimes called stage 4 or “bone on bone” arthritis — moving can become even more tricky, and some exercises might worsen the pain. This is why supporting the knee with the right brace can be so important to help you stay mobile, comfortable, and independent as long as possible.

Unloader Knee Braces: Who Benefits Most?

Unloader braces are designed to take the pressure off the damaged side of your knee. They gently shift your weight to the healthier part of the joint, easing pain and making walking less uncomfortable.

They’re best suited for people with moderate to severe arthritis, including those with “bone on bone” or stage 4 osteoarthritis. Many older adults with worn joints find unloader braces provide noticeable pain relief during everyday activities.

A recent NHS-supported study noted that “offloader knee bracing for unicompartmental knee OA could reduce patients' pain, ADL and QoL in the long term,” highlighting benefits for pain, daily tasks, and quality of life. However, it’s worth considering that the wider evidence shows some uncertainty: a major review concluded there is “no consensus in the literature regarding its indication.” It also found that while offloader braces probably help increase walking distance, their impact on pain relief is unclear and they might even slightly reduce quality of life in some cases.

In the UK, you can sometimes get unloader braces through the NHS, offering an affordable way to try this support. Keywords you might see include “unloader knee brace for osteoarthritis” and “best knee brace for bone on bone arthritis,” reflecting their use in more severe knee wear.

Hinged Knee Braces: Stability Without Holding You Back

Hinged braces provide sturdy side support for your knee without locking it in place. They have small hinges on the sides that limit sideways movement, helping to prevent your knee from twisting or buckling while you walk or move around.

These braces suit people who need extra stability but still want to keep most of their natural knee movement. They’re great if your joint isn’t fully worn out but tends to feel unstable or weak.

For many older adults in the UK, hinged braces are some of the “best knee support for walking” because of their balance between support and freedom. They’re often recommended for those looking for “knee support for elderly UK” that’s comfortable but effective.

Compression Braces: Gentle Support for Everyday Comfort

Compression braces are soft, stretchy sleeves that fit snugly around your knee. They apply gentle pressure which helps to reduce swelling, improve blood flow, and provide a subtle sense of support. This can improve your joint’s awareness, helping you move more confidently.

These are ideal for people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis who want relief during day-to-day activities. Compression braces are also popular among those needing “extra large knee support for arthritis” thanks to their comfortable fit and ease of use.

The NHS often recommends these braces as part of managing arthritis symptoms, especially for people who want softness and flexibility. You might come across terms like “knee support for walking arthritis” and “best knee support for arthritis UK NHS” when exploring options.

How to Choose the Best Knee Brace for You

Picking the right knee brace depends on your arthritis severity, activity level, and how comfortable the brace feels. Size matters too — especially if you need “extra large knee support for arthritis.”

If you have severe osteoarthritis, such as “bone on bone” or stage 4, unloader braces often provide the best pain relief and help with walking. Hinged braces offer a useful middle ground, adding stability without limiting movement. For milder symptoms or everyday comfort, compression braces usually do the trick.

Remember, while many benefit from knee braces, research shows results can vary. As one expert review points out, “the optimal choice for an orthosis remains unclear, and long-term implications are lacking.” That’s why it’s important to talk with NHS professionals, physiotherapists, or your GP who can help tailor advice to your specific needs and ensure you get a brace that suits you best.

In Summary

Unloader, hinged, and compression knee braces each serve a different purpose, depending on the stage and type of your osteoarthritis. Unloader braces ease pressure on the most affected parts of your knee, hinged braces stabilise while allowing natural movement, and compression braces provide light, everyday support.

Choosing the right brace is a personal decision, best made with professional advice to help you maintain mobility and improve your quality of life. With the right support under your belt, you can stay active, comfortable, and independent for longer.

References

Hetherington, S., Watson‐Smith, S., Evison, F., & Miller, C. (2025). Knee Bracing for Unicompartmental Osteoarthritis: A Service Evaluation. Musculoskeletal Care, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70072

Duivenvoorden, T., Brouwer, R. W., van Raaij, T. M., Verhagen, A. P., Verhaar, J. A. N., & Bierma‐Zeinstra, S. (2015). Braces and orthoses for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd004020.pub3

Moller, F., Ortiz-Muñoz, L. E., & Irarrázaval, S. (2021). Offloader knee braces for knee osteoarthritis. Medwave, 21(03), e8114-e8114. https://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2021.01.8114