Plus size knee braces for arthritis

Arthritis affects people from all walks of life, especially plus-size individuals.

A heavy body puts enormous pressure on the knee joint, which may, over time, cause wear and tear (arthritis) to the knee joints.  Knee braces help manage the pain of arthritis.

However, the market is flooded with different models and types of knee braces. Luckily, we’ve done extensive research and put together 9 top-quality knee braces.

If you’re in a hurry, our top pick is the Ezyfit XL. The knee brace features the double-stitching, Velcro closures, knee stabilizers and non-slip silicone grips to relieve arthritis pain and provide comfort for daily activities, at a competitive price.

Here are the 9 best Plus size knee brace for arthritis.

9 Best Plus Size Knee Brace for Arthritis

EzyFit Knee Brace Support Dual Stabilizers & Open Patella

Best Value

When you want to exercise. When you want to rest. Ezyfit XL provides all necessary support to your knee.

Described by EzyFit as the best knee brace for Arthritis, EzyFit might be the relief you’ve been looking for. Even with the top-notch knee support, the price is pretty competitive.

The Ezyfit is available in three sizes – medium, large, and extra-large. So you make your choice based on your body size.

The double-stitching and powerful Velcro closures make the knee brace comfortable and easy to use.

We love that these hinged knee braces have open patella for flexibility of movement. So it doesn’t matter whether you want to exercise or just rest; your arthritis will be kept at optimal relief.

Your knee stays firm when you move thanks to the knee stabilizers and non-slip silicone grips (located at the top and bottom of the knee brace).

Pros

• Open patella design for flexibility
• Reasonably priced
• Double-stitching and powerful Velcro closures for comfort
• Fitting brace available in different sizes
• Knee stabilizers and non-slip silicone grip for knee stability

Cons

• Feels a bit heavy on the knee

Comfyorthopedic OA Unloader Knee Brace

Runner Up

What if you could get back to those days when walking was fun. When walking was no stress.

Introducing Comfyorthopedic OA Unloader Knee Brace. It’s one of the best types of knee braces that helps to unload unloads pressure from your knee, making it easier for you to walk and exercise without worrying about sustaining one of the common knee injuries.

This Comfyorthopedic brace aims to keep weight off your knees. So, even if you have other health problems that pose a threat to your knee apart from arthritis, you might want to check this out too. And it fits in perfectly onto your larger legs.

It stays firm, reducing joint movement for better mobility. You can also control your knee’s range of motion as it allows you to add flexion stops. It’s adjustability features makes it a perfect choice for people with an extra large knee.

Pros

• Unloads pressure from the knee
• Breathable
• Lightweight
• Fits perfectly into knees

Cons

• Might wear down over time

Karm Plus Size Knee Brace

This obesity knee pain brace by Karm provides high-level plus size knee support through dual side stabilizers without restricting the range of movement. The plus-size knee brace has three same-way, customizable hook and loop straps that make it easy to adjust regardless of body type and size.

The open patella knee brace design relieves pressure on the patella and underling joint making it ideal for heavy usage. The open patella design and the extra support make this wraparound brace perfect for tendonitis pain, soft tissue injuries, knee surgery recovery, and arthritis joint pain.

Unlike other plus size knee braces for heavy adults, this 5XL knee brace has anti-slip strips that ensure the brace stays in place all day long.

Pros

• The Velcro straps stay in place
• Eases knee pain
• Comfortable and doesn’t dig into the skin
• Large knee brace available in size 6XL

Cons

• The neoprene retains heat, causing sweating

Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap

Cho-Pat took a different design approach that proved effective against knee injuries. Its dual-action knee strap construction exerts pressure above and below the kneecap to tighten and stabilize the kneecap, diffuse pain and reduce inflammation. This design also reduces the chances of misalignment, improves tracking, and reduces displacement and offers pain relief.

Though the design is simple, it helps with damaged or weak ligaments, jumper’s knee, Osgood Schlatter Disease, and arthritis joint pain without restricting mobility.

Pros

• Easy to put on and can be worn over pants
• Breathes better
• Perfect for hikers experiencing knee pain
• Prevents knee cap shifting

Cons

• Only goes up to 2XL
• The straps are bulky and can be seen under your pants

Comfier Heated Knee Brace Wrap

Unlike the other heavy-duty arthritis knee braces for adults, this knee brace stood out because of its heat function, which, combined with wrap support and soothing vibration massage, helps alleviate chronic knee pain caused by psoriatic arthritis. The heat treatment is delivered through heat pads designed with adjustable heat levels, which soothe stiff muscles and joints and improve blood flow.

On the other hand, the vibration massage is delivered by four powerful motors, which soothe sore muscles around the injured knee. For adjustability, comfier added two smooth velvet fabrics that hold the knee brace in place. The finishing is premium and sturdy, giving it durability.

Pros

• Five vibration level settings
• Pain relief
• Sturdy design
• 30-minute auto shut off time

Cons

• Needs to be plugged in

HOOCUCO Heated Knee Brace

Manufactured by HOOCUCO, the wireless feature of the heated knee pads is commendable. The wireless heated knee pads help reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis and other joint-related conditions. It is convenient to use. More thanks to HOOCUCO for the cordless and rechargeable feature incorporated in the heated knee brace.

And even if you need the heat on a particular side of your knee, simply adjust the highly effective brace, and you’re good at getting more relief on the specific side.

Different from a slip-on brace, this wrap will never slide off when you’re walking or running. The brace heats up within a minute at an ideal temperature to control blood circulation and heat flow around the knee. It vibrates decently to reduce the pain or swelling.

Overall, it is pretty comfortable to use by just about anyone, including young and older adults.

Pros

• Wireless feature makes it comfortable to use
• Churns out decent heat to create soothe that doesn’t burn
• Multiple feature use in the shoulder and elbow
• Lightweight neoprene fabric
• Stays firm

Cons

• Bigger people may need to adjust the strap to fit, else they might not fit in naturally

TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support

Like the Karm Plus Size Knee Brace, the TechWare is another perfect knee brace for heavier adults. The open patella design offers maximum compression in and around the knee cap. It also offers bi-directional support that helps to stabilize your patella without restricting mobility. Unlike other knee braces the TechWare Pro has four spring stabilizers that offer superior knee stability. You’ll love the slim design that allows it to fit discreetly under most clothes.

Aside from design quality, the TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support is built to last. The premium-grade neoprene material is tougher and stronger than rubber yet breathable to keep you cool and dry. The Velcro straps offer vertical reinforcement, and the padding protects the knee from dings and nicks.

TechWare made this adjustable neoprene wrap in four sizes ranging from medium to XXL, making it appropriate for heavier men and women. It’s best to measure your thigh and knee circumference to get a better fit.

Overall, the knee brace delivers excellent support to the knee and tendons, offering pain relief caused by arthritis, tendonitis, or meniscus tears.

Pros

• Lasts long
• Breathable
• The gel pad prevents swelling and inflammation
• Excellent support and low profile

Cons

• The non-slip strips are uncomfortable for individuals with sensitive skin

NEENCA Professional Knee Brace

The NEENCA Professional Knee Brace deserves the ‘best knee brace for heavy adults’ title. The knee brace features a couple of innovative technologies that make it efficient in providing knee pain relief. The first is a spring knee support technology that includes contoured patella gel pads on the knee cap and metal spring stabilizers that fit tightly on the knee cap. This technology offers side support and joint stability, which disperse pressure and keep the knee warm.

Second, it has a 3D woven technology that includes elastic and breathable compression fabric, contributing to pain relief from arthritis and knee injury recovery. To keep the solid knee sleeve from sliding off, NEENCA added non-slip silicone strips inside the fabric.

Pros

• Available in a variety of sizes up to 3XL
• Lightweight and slim design
• Longer, which offers compression over a larger area
• Breathable
• Multiple color options

Cons

• It takes time to remove

Copper Knee Brace for Arthritis Pain

Your knee deserves stable blood flow. Jiufentian copper knee brace provides your tendons the support they need.

This copper knee brace stays firm on your knee, every day, all day and is considered a knee compression sleeve. You can expect greater relief from your knee joint pain. The unique design of this compression brace supports an anti-slip feature.

It is made with top-notch materials that deliver the breathability and temperature your knee deserves. The natural copper ion included in the brace helps withstand body pressure or extra load. As such, it’s a good knee brace for obesity-related knee pain.

Pros

• Made with copper ion fiber for better body weight support
• Perfect for athletic activities
• Support use in any weather
• Highly breathable
• Lightweight
• Included natural copper ion withstand body pressure

Cons

• Some people complain of snugging

And The Winner Is…

Why should plus-size individuals choose knee brace?

Your body weight puts added pressure on the knees. If you’re an overweight person, with time, that additional weight will cause knee pain in men and women, sometimes even resulting in knee injuries.

You need a solution that’ll reduce the pressure applied on your knees. One of the best ways to alleviate pressure on the knees is by using a plus size knee brace for knee arthritis. Many brands like Braceability, Copper Fit, and Shock Doctor have dominated the knee pain market for years. But when you need heavy duty, plus sizes for your large legs, you need to look for items from companies catering to overweight individuals.

The main function of the knee brace is to support the weight of the body on the knee.

Rigid braces are available in a variety of models, however, finding the right brace for overweight people can be difficult. So be sure to choose one of our best knee braces.

What factors should plus size consider before buying a knee brace?

Before you shell out your hard-earned money on a knee brace for large legs, some factors should be considered and kept in mind.

Open Patella design: Check if the knee brace has an open space at the front and back of your knee. If not, consider the next brand. A compression sleeve brace generally will not have the opening as the goal is to provide knee compression. Knee braces with an open patella tend to support mobility and improve comfort regardless of what physical activity you’re engaged in. Those hard pieces won’t rub against your knee!

Durable hinges: The hinges control the knee movement inside the brace, controlling the range of motion and keeping the knee fixed to the joints. Don’t go for a low-quality brace with hinges. A sturdy, durable, and heavy-duty hinged brace is best for large legs.

General Design: Some braces made with a wrap around design are extremely easy to adjust and take on and off, thanks to those adjustable Velcro straps on both sides.

Weight: Any bariatric knee braces designed for overweight people must be lightweight, so they can easily be worn.

How do you choosing the correct size for knee braces?

• Measure your thigh, area below the knee, and the mid kneecap
• Crosscheck these measurements with a size chart for your perfect size
• Choose a size closest to the measurements
• Most plus-size knee braces are designed for different plus size body-types and sizes.

If you can find a size that gives the support you need, a custom brace from a healthcare professional might be your best bet.

Should I sleep with a knee brace on?

Yes, but you should ensure the brace is comfortable. Using pillows to gain more comfort is great but consulting with a health professional on your options is better.

Is it okay to wear a knee brace all day long?

How long you wear a supportive brace depends on how bad your knees are and the physical exercises you indulge in. Consult your physical therapist to determine the number of hours you need to have it on.

FAQ

Are compression knee sleeves perfect for arthritis?

There are many factors to determine what knee brace will work for you, some of which are where your arthritis is located, the severity of arthritis, and more.

Unloader braces, for example, unloads pressure from one side of the knee to another – and on the other hand, compression sleeves deal with swelling.

Does knee brace cause swelling?

A tight brace can be problematic for you. A brace that is too tight can reduce blood circulation in your knee or pinch nerves present in your leg. It could cause swelling, discoloration, or numbness of the leg.

Are knee supports the best option for arthritis?

Knee support reduces strains on tendons, muscles, or ligaments that offer joint support.

These parts of the body must provide more support for the degenerative joint, which makes the knee support a good way to reduce pain and reduce too much pressure on the sportive structures.

When arthritis sets in, these structures have to work harder to support a degenerative joint. Using knee support can help reduce chronic arthritis pain. Also, the supportive structures won’t be overly worked up.

Are knee braces machine washable?

Dirty braces are breeding grounds for bacteria and can cause infections and skin irritation. Although some knee braces can be machined washed on a gentle cycle, it’s better to wash them by hand. Clean and disinfect your knee brace regularly to avoid worsening the problem.

Conclusion

All the Plus size knee braces for arthritis listed above are top-notch and designed explicitly for overweight individuals. However, we think the EzyFit XL stands out based upon its lower price and high quality.

Ezyfit XL provides all the support your knee needs.

Despite the incredible knee support quality, the price is pretty competitive.

Available in three sizes – medium, large, and extra-large, feel free to make your choice based on your body size.

The double-stitching, powerful Velcro closures, open patella, and more, make the knee brace comfortable and easy to use.

However, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced option, go for the stereo Far Infrared Knee Heating Pad. Be sure to check back on our website often for more updates and reviews of products and services for those of us who live on the larger side.