The effect of bracing on extension strength in patients with ACL insufficiency

One of the problems following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is to regain strength. We tested 11 patients (5 men, 6 women), mean age 28.4 years, with unilateral ACL insufficiency, with two braces (Donjoy Legend, and Bledsoe Brace Force III) versus a placebo brace. The patients were tested on a Biodex Dynamometer at 60 and 180 deg/s in an isokinetic mode. The experiment was designed as a comparative study in a cross-over design with the stable knee as the patient's own control. We found no statistically significant effect of the two braces compared to a placebo brace under the test conditions, and no correlation between knee laxity and the effect of bracing.