Table 1

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Aged 45 years and over Residing in England Clinically significant knee pain on weight bearing (NRS ≥4) With or without knee instability (buckling) Able to have knee X-ray Able to read and write English Access to a mobile phone that can receive SMS text messages Able to give full informed consent Willing to participate	Red flags in the history or clinical examination that may indicate further investigation or referral for possible serious underlying pathology (NICE V.5.1.1.10) Vulnerable individuals (eg, in palliative phase of care for cancer, unstable mental health disorders). Inflammatory/crystal arthritis (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis). Significant neurological disorder (eg, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia). Fibromyalgia. Symptoms not attributable to knee OA. Previous major surgery in the knee to be treated (partial/total knee replacement; high tibial osteotomy, not other previous arthroscopic surgery). Autologous cartilage implantation in last 12 months in the knee to be treated On the waiting list for total hip or knee replacement within the next 6 months. Unwilling to wear a knee brace. Brace size unavailable for leg circumference. Knee brace contraindicated (superficial wounds where the knee brace would reside, psoriasis, eczema or poor circulation, arterial insufficiency, or severe varicosities that could result in skin at risk with regular brace wear, a history of thrombophlebitis in either leg). Significant fixed flexion deformity that prevents fitting of brace. Injection in the knee to be treated within the last 3 months. Recent/routine knee brace wear within the last 3 months. Nursing home resident. Unable to attend clinic. Close family member already a trial participant. Course of physiotherapy for the knee to be treated in the last 3 months.

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

Aged 45 years and over
Residing in England
Clinically significant knee pain on weight bearing (NRS ≥4)
With or without knee instability (buckling)
Able to have knee X-ray
Able to read and write English
Access to a mobile phone that can receive SMS text messages
Able to give full informed consent
Willing to participate

Red flags in the history or clinical examination that may indicate further investigation or referral for possible serious underlying pathology (NICE V.5.1.1.10)
Vulnerable individuals (eg, in palliative phase of care for cancer, unstable mental health disorders).
Inflammatory/crystal arthritis (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis).
Significant neurological disorder (eg, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia).
Fibromyalgia.
Symptoms not attributable to knee OA.
Previous major surgery in the knee to be treated (partial/total knee replacement; high tibial osteotomy, not other previous arthroscopic surgery).
Autologous cartilage implantation in last 12 months in the knee to be treated
On the waiting list for total hip or knee replacement within the next 6 months.
Unwilling to wear a knee brace.
Brace size unavailable for leg circumference.
Knee brace contraindicated (superficial wounds where the knee brace would reside, psoriasis, eczema or poor circulation, arterial insufficiency, or severe varicosities that could result in skin at risk with regular brace wear, a history of thrombophlebitis in either leg).
Significant fixed flexion deformity that prevents fitting of brace.
Injection in the knee to be treated within the last 3 months.
Recent/routine knee brace wear within the last 3 months.
Nursing home resident.
Unable to attend clinic.
Close family member already a trial participant.
Course of physiotherapy for the knee to be treated in the last 3 months.

NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; NRS, Numerical Rating Scale; OA, osteoarthritis.