Abstract: A knee brace for a ladder including a first flange and a second flange. The brace includes a web extending from the first flange and the second flange which together form a u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first portion that connects to a step. The brace includes a second portion which connects to the rail and terminates at a distance from a joint. The second portion's first and second flanges and web presenting three contact surfaces which connect to the rail and extend essentially in parallel with the rail and conforms with the rail to which the knee brace is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween. The first and second flanges contact a first rail flange and second rail flange, respectively, and the web contacts the web of the rail of u-shaped cross-section. The brace includes a first rivet extending through the first rail flange and first flange. The brace includes a second rivet extending through the second rail flange and the second flange adjacent the rail end.