How Multiple Sclerosis Patients Can Benefit From Wearing Knee Supports

 Wearing knee sleeves and braces can be helpful for people who are struggling with multiple sclerosis. This chronic autoimmune disorder can cause leg weakness and feelings of instability. Wearing a support device on the knees allows men and women to feel more secure about doing beneficial physical activities, like taking walks in the neighborhood. They also can feel less anxious about walking around a grocery store.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by a broad range of symptoms, which can be relatively minor or debilitating. The symptoms may be ongoing and progressive or intermittent. Some patients are fortunate to experience periods of remission in which they have only very minor symptoms or none at all. This period of recovery follows an attack of symptoms. It can be a short-lived time of a few weeks or the remission period can last for many years.

Symptoms affecting the legs are very common in this disorder. Spasticity, with stiffness and painful spasms, is one of the most frequent problems these individuals deal with. Leg weakness also is common, sometimes affecting only one limb and sometimes both.

Advantages of Knee Braces

Hg80 knee braces are hinged devices that people who need more joint stability appreciate. They are bulkier than some other support devices, but multiple sclerosis patients are willing to accept that in exchange for a better sense of security when walking. These individuals are at increased risk of falling and being injured because of the fall. The risk is even greater when they attempt to climb or descend stairways. Even stepping onto or down from a curb can be nerve-wracking. One or two falling episodes may lead them to avoid physical activity as much as possible.

Joint instability can cause the knee to buckle or to hyperextend. Knee braces, supports, and sleeves hold the joint in proper alignment. The muscles, ligaments, and tendons connected to the knees also are supported. This allows the joint to move in a natural, cooperative way with the ankle and foot. With these support devices, patients can prevent the fatigue they sometimes develop when walking and standing.

Patients may need to practice for a while to get used to wearing the brace and learning how to maneuver easily with it. Once this has been mastered, these individuals commonly are eager to be more active again. They look forward to walking around a park and pushing a grocery cart through every aisle in the supermarket.