Should I Use a Knee Brace Support for My Arthritis

When it comes to physical aids, I'm a bit stubborn. After suffering long enough, I finally broke down and answered the above question honestly. Yes, the answer is yes.

On a really bad day, technically I need a walker when I'm out and about, and there's no way I'm ready to consider something like that. No way. On an average bad day, I would say I could use a cane, and yep, you guessed it, no way am I using one. Well, at least at this stage.

I'm a few years into my ailment now and refuse to jump into these mobility aids at this point. On a good day I do pretty well without any aids whatsoever.

The question of whether I should use a knee brace is about those really bad and just plain bad days.


I Finally Gave In and Said Yes to a Knee Support Brace

I had tried stretchable cloth type wraps that you slip on, but found them too tight. So I opted for an actual brace support.

I went to a popular drugstore chain here in Canada called Shoppers Drug Mart. After trying on several, I ended up choosing the Formedica Adjustable Knee Support. It's important to know your knee measurements to ensure you have the right size.

In-Store Purchase from

Shoppers Drug Mart

in Canada

The price was reasonable, less than $30 Canadian. They're manufactured in Quebec, Canada. It's designed to stabilize and protect the patella (knee cap). It gives weak knee muscles and ligaments stress support.

The knee brace sat in the box until a 'really bad knee day' occurred and grocery shopping was on that to-do-list.

So off I went with my knee wrapped nice and snug.

Wowza! Was I ever wrong about holding off to get one.

On a bad knee day, grocery shopping is brutal. With the knee wrap, it's 50 percent better than without it. Of course I still have pain, but the knee brace wrap provides the support needed to walk confidently without feeling I'm damaging it further, or that I'll fall.


EXOUS Knee Brace Support Protector - Relieves Patella Tendonitis - Jumpers Knee Mensicus Tear - ACL Lateral & Medial Ligament Sprains Comfort Design True Non-Slip FIT for Arthritis - Sport - RunningMy Online Store Choice Would Have Been EXOUS Knee Support Protector

If you're in the market to get a knee wrap via online shopping, this brand is quite popular.

It's available on Amazon and best of all when you visit the product page, you'll see a handy video that tells you everything you need to know about the product, including how to measure for the right size.

Although I haven't tried this product, after doing some research, it was my online pick based on features and price.

If you have bum knees, don't hold off getting a knee brace support. Personally speaking, they've really helped me on those not so perfect days.




The Obvious Statement:

I'm not a doctor, so of course, anything medical related you should seek the advice of a professional. There I said it.

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Review of Angora Sport Wool Knee Warmers

Why I Wanted Knee Warmers

I recently injured my left knee to the extent that walking and sleeping were extremely painful. I found help during the night with my Cushy Cloud Knee Pillow, but walking during the day was excruciating. At times I thought my knee would collapse on me. This was especially true when it was very cold. Even though I was also wearing silk long underwear beneath my trousers, it really hurt to walk. I needed a solution.

Then I remembered knee warmers. I decided to search Amazon to see what might be right for me. I wanted to keep my knees warm, but I also hoped to support the functioning parts of my knee. I still have to wait for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to be approved by my insurance, and I can't keep ice on the knee all day. (Yes, I know I want to keep it warm, but the Nurse Practitioner recommended ice packs off and on to help the circulation.)

What I Bought to Solve My Knee Problem

I model my knee warmers. © B. Radisavljevic

I saw a lot of knee warmers, but got sidetracked from Amazon and ordered my Angora knee warmers from a sponsored site, not having seen the link to them on Amazon itself at first. I especially wanted Angora because it is not only warm, but it's soft instead of scratchy on my skin. Now I see I could have ordered them straight from Amazon. Later I discovered some of the other choices might have been cheaper and served as well, and I am also showing you some of the other options I might try when I buy a second set of knee warmers.

I bought a size Medium. Although some reviewers on Amazon thought the sizes ran small, I found the size I ordered was right for me. I did measure before buying because I hate making returns. Some reviewers on the site I bought from mentioned having trouble getting refunds, which is another reason to purchase from Amazon. Those who buy from Amazon have better success with returns because Amazon wants to keep customers happy.

I don't want to return mine. They are helping me. They are just tight enough to lend support so that I can now walk with much less pain. Sometimes there is no pain at all unless I've been sitting for a long time. They do keep my knees nice and warm, and they don't scratch. I take them off at bedtime, since they aren't designed for sleeping. When I'm in bed my blankets and Cushy Cloud Pillow keep my knee warm.

Should You Buy These Knee Warmers?

I would recommend these knee warmers to people who suffer with knee pain when it's cold. Although my left knee pain is caused by more than arthritis, the pain in my right knee, which is the one the surgeon wants to operate on one of these days, is arthritic. It causes me no noticeable pain while I'm wearing my knee warmers. The knee warmers also lessen the pain in my injured left knee. 

I plan to buy another pair of knee warmers, because I'll need to wash these sometime. They are machine washable on delicate cycle at temperatures of 40C or 104 F. One should use a wool detergent and dry them in a hanging position. They  should not be put into the drier.

I will probably try the Florida Othopedics Therall Warming Knee Support next. Those are bought singly rather than in pairs. This brand gets better reviews than the ones I bought, but it really isn't much cheaper than the Medi ones if I buy a pair. They are made of a special elastic with warming ceramic fibers. 

What I discovered in my search was that all sorts of options and brands in a variety of fabrics are available and there is a knee warmer choice to help anyone with an arthritic knee. It's a matter of personal preference. My Medi knee warmers are just right for me, and they help alleviate my arthritic pain. You may prefer one of the other choices below after reading site reviews. If you are suffering, though, these knee warmers can help you.  Order some today while you are thinking about it. You won't be sorry.

 Angora Wool Sport Knee Warmers Florida Orthopedics Therall Joint Warming Knee Support - Medium Eforcase Unisex Cashmere Wool Knee Brace Pads Winter Warm Thermal Knee Warmers Sleeve for Women Men Knee Warmers

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The Best Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers: A Review

I'm a Side Sleeper with Bad Knees

I have had neck problems and back problems for years, and thirty years ago a physical therapist told me that when I sleep, I should keep a pillow under my knees if I'm on my back or between my knees if I sleep on my side. I am also supposed to hug a smaller than normal size pillow. It has not been easy to find pillows that will help me sleep without  pain.  I'm sharing the results of my search with you to save you time if you also need a knee pillow.

Modified image from Pixabay

I've always been a side sleeper. The main reason for that was that I have post-nasal drip that makes me cough during the night, and when I cough lying on my back, it hurts my ribs. (Getting old isn't much fun.) This year my knees have developed problems. I could not seem to find one of any of the numerous pillows around the house that was the right shape or thickness to fit well between my knees to keep my knees and hips properly aligned. I finally decided to get a pillow made for the job.

 50 Is The New 30 Cartoon Coffee Mug

& 

Finding the Best Knee Pillow

I searched several knee pillows on Amazon and decided on this one – the Cushy Cloud Memory Foam Knee Pillow. It arrived almost instantly – the very next day – although I had ordered only the standard free shipping. I was very happy about this, since my right knee, which had been my good one, had suddenly gotten so bad I could hardly walk.

The inside of my Cushy Cloud is all memory foam. The outside is a soft gray cover that I can machine wash if necessary. It has a zipper closing to keep the pillow snug inside. I love it. Although I can sleep on my back when I want to since I got my new REM adjustable bed, I still often want to sleep on my side. The pillow can be placed between my thighs or below my knees to keep my spine properly aligned and my knees almost pain-free. Heat helps, too. Now I crawl under my electric blanket for the warmth and put the pillow in place. Within minutes the pain in my knee has subsided so I can sleep.

Cushy Cloud Memory Foam Knee Pillow

Almost by accident I discovered something else. When I was using an ordinary pillow under my knees while on my back, I would just switch its position to between my legs when I turned to my side. Since I got the new bed, though, I didn't need a pillow under my knees because the bed adjusted. If I wanted to turn over, I had to take the pillow off the table next to the bed and maneuver it under the covers to get it between my knees, and I always had to struggle enough to do this to wake myself up thoroughly or to set off a hot flash. I discovered that if I kept the Cushy Cloud standing tall between my knees while on my back, it was already there when I wanted to roll over, and it kept my knees warmer in the meantime. If that left knee is really hurting bad when I go to bed, I put it over the concave top of the Cushy Cloud when I'm sleeping on my back and it gives me extra support and warmth while elevating my knee a bit more. It seems to help relieve the pain.

A Pillow to Hug

In case you're wondering, my favorite pillow to hug is a camping / toddler / travel pillow. I have shown one that's the same size but a better pillow below. I have also included among the suggestions the pillow cases that fit it. I'm going to break down and buy a couple myself. The one that came with my pillow, bought decades ago, finally wore out, and substituting a normal pillow case just doesn't work well. It's easier to pick one up at Amazon than to scour the local stores in search of one, even now that I know what I'm looking for. The ones I recommend below will fit most camping, travel, or toddler pillows. They definitely match the toddler pillow I recommend below.

Sometimes getting a good night's sleep depends on having the right bed and the right pillows on it. We bought out beds after spending a lot of time trying them out in person, and that's the only way I'd buy a bed. The pillows I've recommended can be successfully purchased online. If you aren't satisfied with your Cushy Cloud knee pillow, you can send it back for a refund. I'm keeping mine.

 Cushy Cloud Memory Foam Knee Pillow - Orthopedic Contour Knee Spacer Best Pillows Hypoallergenic TODDLER PILLOW - 13 x 19 - Made in the USA - Most Trusted since 2007 - Pediatrician Recommended - Kids LOVE IT - Allergy Free - 200 Soft Percale - Machine Washable (Ages 2 - 4) TODDLER PILLOWCASE Cover - Fits 13.5 X 19 to 14 X 20 Toddler or Travel Pillow - 100% Luxury Microfiber - Hand Made in the USA - 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE Child/Toddler/Travel size 14x21 Junior Pillowcase 100% cotton Color: WHITE

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