Risks

Risks of wearing a knee brace might include:

• Discomfort wearing the brace. A knee brace can feel heavy, bulky and hot at first. Poor fit can cause it to slip.
• Skin irritation or swelling. The skin under the brace might become red and irritated if your knee brace fits poorly. Some people also have swelling around the joint.
• Lack of benefit. Studies of knee braces for people with osteoarthritis have been limited, and results have been mixed. Some people see no benefit. Others report diminished pain and increased function.
• Stiffness. Wearing a brace can cause the wearer to treat the braced knee as injured and favor the other knee, which could contribute to joint stiffness.