JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Role of bracing in the management of knee osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recommendations for nonpharmacological treatment for knee osteoarthritis are based mainly on modifying the symptomatic loading joint compartment. Braces are one of the modalities used to modify joint loading. Knee osteoarthritis braces consist of rest orthoses, knee sleeves, and unloading-knee braces. This review examines the most recent publications regarding the various bracing modalities proposed for different knee osteoarthritis compartments.

RECENT FINDINGS: The effectiveness of rest orthoses for lower-limb osteoarthritis has not been studied in clinical trials. Knee sleeves are elastic nonadhesive orthoses associated with various devices aimed at patellar or femoro-tibial stabilization. They may decrease knee pain. Unloading-knee braces are functional devices composed of external stems, hinges, and straps. Several recent biomechanical studies have established the effectiveness of modifying loading with unloading-knee braces. Such braces may decrease knee pain, and improve knee function.

SUMMARY: Braces are recommended for treating knee osteoarthritis. The different bracing modalities that are available must be adapted to the symptomatic knee osteoarthritis compartment. This nonpharmacological approach must be added to the other nonpharmacological, and pharmacological modalities to decrease pain and improve function and thereby increase the quality of life of osteoarthritis patients. The structural effect of bracing has not yet been evaluated. High-quality clinical trials of the addition of various treatment modalities for knee osteoarthritis are still necessary.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app