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Knee braces: current evidence and clinical recommendations for their use
1University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside, Pennsylvania, USA.
American Family Physician
|February 12, 2000
Summary
Knee braces offer some benefits for ligament injuries and anterior knee pain, but evidence for prophylactic braces is lacking. Optimal use involves combining braces with comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Knee brace technology has advanced, influencing injury prevention and treatment.
- Different types of knee braces serve distinct purposes: prophylactic, functional, and patellofemoral.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on the effectiveness of various knee braces.
- To provide guidance on the appropriate use of knee braces in conjunction with rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on prophylactic, functional, and patellofemoral knee braces.
- Analysis of evidence regarding brace efficacy for different knee conditions.
Main Results:
- Prophylactic braces lack conclusive evidence for preventing medial collateral ligament injuries.
- Functional braces aid in stabilizing knees during rehabilitation for ligamentous injuries.
- Patellofemoral braces show moderate subjective improvement for anterior knee disorders.
Conclusions:
- Further high-quality studies are needed to objectively validate the benefits of all knee brace types.
- Knee braces should complement, not replace, comprehensive rehabilitation programs including strength, flexibility, and technique training.