Prophylactic knee braces and injury to the lower extremity

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Prophylactic knee braces are commonly used in football to prevent injuries.
• The effectiveness and potential risks of these braces are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of single-hinged and double-hinged prophylactic knee braces on lower extremity injuries in high school football players.
• To assess the impact of braces on adjacent joints, specifically the ankle and foot.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 580 high school football players over two seasons.
• Players wearing single-hinged (n=247) or double-hinged (n=83) braces were matched with non-braced controls (n=250) based on height, weight, and position.
• Injury data for the knee, ankle, and foot were collected and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant increase in knee injuries was observed in players wearing single-hinged braces compared to matched controls (p < 0.001).
• While knee injuries were more frequent in the double-hinged brace group, the difference was not statistically significant.
• A significant increase in ankle and foot injuries was noted in athletes wearing any type of brace (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• The study questions the efficacy of the prophylactic knee braces examined.
• The use of these braces may lead to an increased risk of injuries in adjacent joints of the same limb (ipsilateral limb).
• Further research is warranted to understand the biomechanical effects and optimize protective strategies in athletes.