119 patients with varus gonarthrosis were randomised into three groups to evaluate the effects of two difference bracing techniques in comparison to a control group. Patients received either a custom-made valgus-producing functional knee (unloader) brace, a neoprene brace, or standard medical treatment. Patients were evaluated over a 6 month period for disease-specific quality of life and functional outcomes. The results of this study indicated that at 6 months, the unloader brace significantly improved all disease-specific quality of life measures when compared to the control group and some measures when compared to the neoprene brace group. Additionally, clinical success, defined as a reduction in VAS pain of greater than 1 cm following a functional test, occurred in a greater percentage of patients in the unloader brace group.