Knee Braces and Anti-Inflammatory Sleeves in Osteoarthritis, Innovation for the 21st Century?

Lee, Paul Y F; Brock, James A.; Mansoor, Sarah; Whiting, Bethan

doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000e117

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…It is theorized that embedding germanium into cotton garments is an effective way to use the transdermal effect to create a micro electromagnetic field, leading to increased circulation and affecting the inflammatory process. 20 Previous low-level observational studies have suggested that germanium-infused garments may provide improved clinical outcomes in osteoarthritis. Germanium-embedded (GE) knee sleeves embrace this fabric technology.…”

Section: Germanium-embedded Knee Sleevementioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Germanium-Embedded Knee Sleeve on Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Marino

Lee

2019

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

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Background:Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects an estimated 1 in 5 individuals older than 45 years of age in the United Kingdom. Previous studies have suggested that germanium-infused garments may provide improved clinical outcomes in OA. Germanium-embedded (GE) knee sleeves embrace this fabric technology.Purpose:To assess the outcomes of GE knee sleeves for patients with knee OA.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:This study was undertaken at a hospital in the United Kingdom. Patients who had radiographic features of OA, experienced knee pain for at least 6 months, and opted for nonsurgical intervention were included. Patients were recruited over 3 months. The University of California, Los Angeles activity score, Lysholm score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) were collected at monthly intervals for 6 months. Patients were followed to determine their compliance with wearing the knee sleeves at all times, as advised, and whether any adverse effects had occurred.Results:A total of 50 participants were recruited for the study; 4 participants were excluded due to pain and were converted to surgical management. Therefore, 46 patients were analyzed and placed into 2 groups according to severity of OA, as classified by the Kellgren-Lawrence system: group A had grade 1 or 2 OA, and group B had grade 3 or 4 OA. There were 25 patients in group A and 21 in group B. Improvements were seen in OKS, VAS, and Lysholm scores in both groups. Clinically significant improvements were seen in group A only for OKS (mean increase, 14), VAS (mean decrease, 4.1), and Lysholm (mean increase, 17.2) scores. These results were also statistically significant (OKS, P = 5.8 × 10-7; VAS, P = 7.7 × 10-12; Lysholm, P = 4.2 × 10-11). The data from this study demonstrated that GE knee sleeves gave better outcomes for patients with grades 1 and 2 OA compared with patients with more advanced disease, which is consistent with previous studies. A total of 3 patients reported skin irritation, which resolved with simple skin ointment application. No patients reported infection, deep vein thrombosis, or circulation problems.Conclusion:GE knee sleeves could play an important role in optimizing nonsurgical management of patients with knee OA, especially patients with grades 1 and 2 OA, as demonstrated by the clinically significant improvements.

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Section: Germanium-embedded Knee Sleevementioning

confidence: 99%

“…More than 8.75 million people 45 years of age and older (one-third of the UK population) have required treatment for OA. 1,20 The prevalence of OA is expected to continue to rise with increasing life expectancies and increasing levels of risk factors such as obesity. 31…”

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confidence: 99%

Effect of Germanium-Embedded Knee Sleeve on Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Marino

Lee

2019

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

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“…Early studies suggest that sleeves embedded with nontoxic metalloids, such as germanium, may provide beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. 8 Marino et al recently demonstrated that patients with low grade OA (Kellgren and Lawrence [KL] grades 1 and 2) could benefit from a bioactive sleeve, providing pain relief and promoting increased function and quality of life. 9 One sleeve specifically uses synthetic fibers that incorporate finely processed, nonmetallic, elemental semiconductor nanoparticles.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, bioactive knee sleeves have emerged as a new treatment method to alleviate knee pain. Early studies suggest that sleeves embedded with nontoxic metalloids, such as germanium, may provide beneficial anti-inflammatory properties 8 . Marino et al recently demonstrated that patients with low grade OA (Kellgren and Lawrence [KL] grades 1 and 2) could benefit from a bioactive sleeve, providing pain relief and promoting increased function and quality of life 9 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Bioactive Knee Sleeve for Osteoarthritis: A Small Cohort Study

Elphingstone¹,

Paul²,

Girardi³

et al. 2022

Southern Medical Journal

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Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal ailments worldwide. Numerous conservative therapies exist, but evidence for such treatments remains conflicting. Recently, there has been growing interest surrounding bioactive sleeves for managing knee arthritis; however, the literature on their efficacy for relieving pain and improving function in the setting of knee OA is limited. As such, we sought to investigate the effect of a bioactive sleeve on patient-reported outcome measures in a small cohort of patients with OA.Methods: Patients with knee OAwere given a bioactive sleeve (Reparel, Chico, CA) and asked to refrain from lifestyle modifications and intraarticular corticosteroid injections. Lysholm Knee Score, Oxford Knee Score, Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score (KOOS), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Visual Analog Scale score were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. OA severity was evaluated using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) classification system. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare baseline patient-reported outcomes with 2-week, 6-week, and 3-month time points. Bivariate correlation was used to evaluate the relation between patient-reported outcome measures and KL classification. Results:The cohort was composed of 14 participants-4 males and 10 females-with a mean age of 62.2 ± 13.2 years and a body mass index of 33.7 ± 5.8. The average KL grade was 2.9 (range 2-4). KOOS pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life increased significantly at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. KOOS sport and recreation significantly increased at 3 months. The Oxford Knee Score was significantly greater at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The Lysholm Knee Score was significantly greater at 6 weeks and 3 months. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation attained significant improvement at 3 months, and the Visual Analog Scale improvement was significant at 2 weeks. No statistically significant difference was attained with University of California at Los Angeles activity score. Outcome scores did not correlate with KL classification.Conclusions: These data suggest that a bioactive sleeve may improve patient-reported pain, symptoms, and function in the setting of knee OA. Further research is needed to better understand the role of bioactive sleeves for patients with knee arthritis.

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