Do you have knee pain, aching, stiffness and soreness after long periods of inactivity; mild to severe pain after overuse or ascending or descending stairs?  These are common symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA).  Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis affecting one in ten of Canadian adults.  It can affect any joint but commonly occurs in weight bearing joints such as the knee.  The cartilage (firm, rubbery material) that covers the ends of the bones in normal joints acts as a shock absorber.  Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas decreasing its ability to cushion the bone.  As this happens tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain.  As the condition worsens the bones may rub against each other.    Osteoarthritis can be caused by many factors including heredity, obesity, injury or joint overuse.

A safe, non-invasive viable option is an Osteoarthritis Unloader knee brace specifically designed to treat OA.  It stabilizes the joint, reduces pain and helps to build stronger muscles allowing patients to return to the activities they love whether that is everyday living or sports.  OA braces relieve pain by redistributing the weight bearing load on the painful or affected compartment of the joint to the healthy or unaffected compartment.  Increased function studies have shown that wearing an OA brace can increase daily functions and decrease pain. Patients diagnosed with OA who wear a knee brace will generally feel better in the morning, be more active during the day, and rest more comfortably at night. Braces cannot cure osteoarthritis and may not be right for everyone however, it is a viable and successful solution for many people. The ideal candidates are typically people who are motivated to strengthen their muscles and willing to wear a brace to realize the benefits of this form of treatment.  There are many different types of OA braces designed for all activity levels.  It is important that you be assessed by a professional who takes all aspects of your health, life style and body type into consideration.  Most insurance companies cover OA braces if prescribed by a medical professional.
Jen Estabrooks, Certified Fitter and Owner of Estabrooks Orthopedic Bracing
providing no obligation assessments at Cole Harbour Chiropractic Clinic, Cole Harbour; Bluennose Physiotherapy, Halifax or home visits to those who prefer in home assessment.
If you have any questions please visit www.bracingsolutions.ca or call 902-225-3295.

Skiing and Snowboarding -  These popular winter sports are a great way to stay active.  Although the incidence of injury in both skiing and snowboarding is relatively similar, on the body where these injuries occur are markedly different. Skiers tend to injure the lower extremity – most commonly the knee – while snowboarders are more likely to injure their backs and upper extremity – specifically areas such as the wrist.

Skiing
The most common knee injury in skiing is the MCL (medial collateral ligament) and ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).  They occur for different reasons based on the skier’s skill level, the most common being when the knee tilts inwards and the lower leg is forced forwards. This often happens during a fall or when catching an edge.  Preventing knee injuries when skiing is multifactorial. With the pediatric and youth skier, appropriate strength is required before jumping into ski boots. This also is true for the adult skier. Areas of specific focus should be in the hip stabilizers, knee stabilizers, hamstrings and lower back.  Appropriate equipment is also important.  Always wear a helmet. Also, make sure the binding settings are appropriate for both the weight and skill level of the skier. Knee braces are designed to prevent injury during skiing and provide support and stability after injury to keep you on the slopes.  There are several different kinds of knee braces for ligament protection  – light weight, designed to fit with ski boots provide the highest level of twisting and lateral movement.

Snowboarding

The most common snowboard injury is the wrist.  The upper body is used to help generate turning forces on the board. In the event of a loss of balance and a subsequent fall, the instinctive reaction of a snowboarder is to outstretch a hand in order to try and break their fall. This mechanism is commonly known as a ‘FOOSH’ ( Fall Onto an Out Stretched Hand). There are wrist braces designed to provide maximum protection for the wrist while allowing range of motion to match your needs.  Made of carbon fiber, they are incrediblystrong and are designed for high impact sports.

I am very excited to have started my own business, Estabrooks Orthopedic Bracing Solutions Inc.  Our commitment is to provide the best product, service and education for all of our customers.  As a mobile clinic, we come to you or you can visit our Cole Harbour location with a clinical fitting room.  It’s just that easy!  Contact us:  We’ll talk about what products are available based on the doctor’s diagnosis.  Set up an appointment:  We offer no obligation, free assessment, product options, research on insurance coverage and payment processes.  Fitting and Results:  Ensure a proper fit, educate on fit tips, care of product and expected results.  I will be posting information regularly on common conditions that may be of interest to you.