RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE TREATMENT OF FEMORO-PATELLAR OSTEOARTHRITIS USING BRACING

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition causing pain and functional limitation.
• Various orthotic devices are used to manage symptoms, but their comparative efficacy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of a functional knee brace designed for patellofemoral joint stabilization against a patella-shaped neoprene sleeve with a patella cutout in patients with patellofemoral OA.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-seven patients with patellofemoral OA were randomized into two groups: functional brace or neoprene sleeve.
• Both groups received standard clinical treatment and medication, with assessments at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-intervention.
• Outcome measures included WOMAC and Lequesne questionnaires, Five Times Sit to Stand test, Timed Up and Go test, and the Six-Minute Walk Test.

Main Results:

• Both orthoses led to significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and function, with no statistically significant differences between the groups.
• Medication use initially decreased but increased by the third month in both groups.
• Naproxen consumption was notably higher in the control (neoprene sleeve) group.

Conclusions:

• Both functional knee braces and neoprene sleeves are effective in improving pain and function in patients with patellofemoral OA.
• The functional knee brace provided comparable pain relief to the neoprene sleeve but without an increase in naproxen usage.
• Orthotic interventions can influence medication use patterns in the short term.