Try a knee brace with Welltex® for osteoarthritis of the knee!

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions in Sweden – and osteoarthritis of the knees is also the most common form of the condition. One might wonder what this is due to, but the truth is that the cause of the condition has not been fully established; nor has it been established why it so often affects the knees.  

Long-term wear and tear, injuries and overuse are risk factors. The knee joint is the body’s largest joint, and the knees bear the entire body’s weight every day. However, wear and tear and osteoarthritis are not the same thing: osteoarthritis is a chronic, inflammatory and progressive condition that slowly but surely leads to the breakdown of the joint’s protective cartilage. 

The disease process leads to the typical everyday symptoms, well-known and experienced by so many: stiffness, pain, inflammation and difficulty bending, bearing weight on and using the knee. 

What can a knee brace with Welltex do? 

Knee supports designed specifically to relieve knee discomfort were the very first product Back on Track launched when the company was founded in 2000. The reason for this was Dr Erland Beselin’s encounter with the phenomenon of ‘minerals in textiles’, which took the form of a therapeutic knee support that apparently relieved a colleague’s knee discomfort.  

The question then was why this happened. Now we know why, and we have over 25 years’ experience of the beneficial effect, which also appears to be particularly beneficial for osteoarthritis.  

The minerals fused into Back on Track’s textiles are selected for their ability to absorb the wearer’s body heat and re-emit infrared energy (FIR). This is a purely physical effect that has been shown to interact with the body’s biology at a molecular level. The observed effect consists of stimulated blood flow and increased circulation in the tissues. This, in turn, influences the body’s own healing processes and can also affect the experience of joint symptoms.  

However, the next step is the most important: with reduced symptoms of stiffness, pain and inflammation, it feels easier to move – and movement is by far the most important action anyone can take to slow down and manage their osteoarthritis.  

FIR, movement and stability 

A knee brace with Welltex stimulates circulation whilst helping the joint to feel more stable. The knee brace is anatomically designed to fit perfectly and mould to the knee. The material may vary – we have many different types of knee braces – but they are all more or less elastic, highly breathable and create a feeling of firmness and compression. All incorporate Welltex textile technology; a durable feature that cannot be washed out or worn away.  

Stimulated circulation and enveloping compression enhance the sense of well-being and can alleviate knee discomfort. This also makes it easier to follow the recommendations one usually receives from their doctor alongside their osteoarthritis diagnosis: put weight on the knee, make the most of everyday exercise and maintain muscle mass!  

Strengthened muscles not only increase mobility but also stabilise the joints. Exercise also has, in itself, the ability to improve general well-being, promote health and thereby actually significantly reduce pain. 

Why is exercise so important for osteoarthritis? 

Putting weight on the knee helps care for a knee with osteoarthritis – not the other way round. The cartilage, which is subject to degenerative processes, needs all the nourishment it can get – and that nourishment is supplied by the synovial fluid. As the cartilage is porous, it compresses and expands in response to weight-bearing movements. This creates a pumping effect that draws in and pushes out the synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the cartilage. 

If, on the other hand, you avoid movement, the problems are likely to worsen. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage, yes, but if the cartilage does not receive nourishment, this process accelerates. If you also lose muscle mass, the joint becomes even more unstable and the pain increases. 

With tailored exercise and physical activity, it is possible to live significantly longer with osteoarthritis without the condition having too great an impact on daily life and quality of life. 

Which knee brace should I choose? 

All Back on Track knee braces feature Welltex textile technology. They provide the benefits of FIR – far-infrared energy – which can increase blood flow and promote recovery. In addition, they vary in design and materials, making them suitable for different needs and situations. 

Our very first knee brace, the “knee brace with buckle”, is firm, anatomically knitted and two-way elastic. It stays in place with a Velcro fastening and has thin splints along the sides. 

The Physio Knee Brace is significantly thinner and four-way stretch. Welltex plays the leading role in this knee brace; the brace feels less supportive, but is instead very supple and feels like a second skin. It is excellent for sleeping in. 

STRAPZ Knee Braces are anatomically knitted, sturdy in our ‘classic’ style and feature wide, criss-cross straps for adjustment and compression as required. 

The Patella Stabilising Knee Brace has a significantly sturdier construction and is designed to keep the kneecap in place under load. This too has wide, criss-cross straps for adjustability and a personalised fit. 

The Adjustable Knee Support is made from a firm and sturdy material with a lining containing Welltex. It is anatomically shaped and has an open design in the knee crease to allow freedom of movement. 

Knee supports remain the cornerstone of Back on Track’s range of joint and muscle supports! Inspired by our first knee support, we have since developed a variety of supports for other joints.