Effects of Reparel™ Knee Sleeve on Knee Osteoarthritis

The goals of treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) is to improve or maintain quality of life, mobility and function, pain relief, and improve inflammation. The different treatment options for knee OA have been extensively studied and implemented, but the optimum treatment is still undecided. There is a belief that anti-inflammatory sleeve technology may be beneficial in treating knee OA. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical effects of Reparel™ knee sleeve regarding mobility, functionality, and pain outcomes in managing knee OA.

Standard knee compression sleeves have been described throughout literature to provide benefits in pain and functional outcomes through support of the ligamentous structures. Bracing is both an effective and economical treatment for osteoarthritis and serves as a crucial option in the treatment of knee OA to aid in both delaying surgery and as options for young patients, or patients that are not ideal surgical candidates. Although knee sleeves are commonly utilized treatment modalities, there is a significant paucity of literature on the effects of thermo-active braces in the treatment of knee OA. This investigation will examine this non-operative treatment modality and study it effect for the treatment of knee OA specifically by investigating the Reparel Knee Sleeve. The Reparel Knee Sleeve is a Class I Medical Device (510(k) exempt) and used in general sports medicine practice for the alleviation of knee pain. The authors expect that the Reparel thermos-active knee sleeve will have a significant effect on pain relief from knee OA.

Patients who are recommended for non-operative management of knee osteoarthritis and have been consented in clinic to participate in the study will be given a Reparel™ knee sleeve to wear for knee osteoarthritis management. Each device will be numbered and recorded in the patient's REDCap entry for future reference if needed. Following administration of the Reparel™ knee sleeve, patients will be given instructions on how to use/wear the sleeve while performing activities of daily living or sports that had previously resulted in knee pain and also be asked to do the follows: wear the sleeve as much as they possibly can; not change their usual activities and diet during the time they are on this study; record in a diary the number of hours sleeve was worn per day; record any adverse effects or discomfort due to sleeve use; refrain from altering treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Inclusion Criteria: osteoarthritis visible on knee radiograph patient opting for non-surgical treatment no corticosteroid knee injection for 90 days prior to consent no corticosteroid knee injection for 90 days following consent Exclusion Criteria: bilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis prior surgery on the knee of interest hardware present on the knee of interest gross instability detected on physical exam malignancy in the knee of question