Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Braces and splints are widely used for joint immobilization, protection, pain reduction, and healing facilitation.
• Their applications extend to injury prevention, chronic pain management, and functional joint alteration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the efficacy of various braces and splints in managing joint injuries and conditions.
• To evaluate the evidence supporting the use of specific orthopedic devices for different orthopedic ailments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on knee braces (medial unloading, patellar stabilizing, patellar tendon strap), knee immobilizing splints, functional ankle braces, thumb spica splints, and wrist splints.
• Analysis of evidence regarding effectiveness in treating acute injuries, chronic conditions, and post-operative care.

Main Results:

• Medial unloading knee braces show limited long-term evidence for osteoarthritis. Patellar stabilizing braces have mixed results for patellofemoral pain syndrome, while patellar tendon straps are effective for tendinopathy.
• Knee immobilizing splints are crucial for post-surgical recovery and acute knee injuries. Functional ankle braces outperform immobilization for acute ankle sprains.
• Thumb spica splints are effective for thumb osteoarthritis and de Quervain tenosynovitis. Wrist splints offer short-term carpal tunnel syndrome relief.

Conclusions:

• The effectiveness of braces and splints varies significantly depending on the specific device and the condition being treated.
• Functional ankle braces and patellar tendon straps demonstrate clear benefits, while evidence for some knee braces and wrist splints is less conclusive or short-term.