Adaptation to wearing a functional knee brace: A possible step in preventing knee injuries: A pilot study

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2005-12, Vol.8 (4)
• Main Authors: Rishiraj, N, Hancock, P, Taunton, J, Newshamwest, R, Woollard, R, Lloyd-Smith, R, Regan, W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1440-2440

It is estimated that knee injuries account for 15-50% of all sport injuries. Knee injuries represent a large part of the expenditure for medical care of sports injuries. The ACL injury, is often associated with long and costly rehabilitation, and offen associated with differing degrees of impairment, and potential long-term consequences such as osteoarthritis post injury. On of the many management tools in the management of such an injury is the custom fitting functional knee braces. The use of these devices (clinically and profolactically) has been anadotally associated with the patients over reliance on the device and decreased or impeded performance of the athlete when using these braces. The purpose of our study is to investigate the use of custom fitting functional knee braces on non-injured athletes to determine if a brace impedes performance. If performance is affected, can individuals accommodate to wearing a knee brace? If so, what duration is required for this? Seven tests will evaluate agility, aerobic, anaerobic capacity, ground reaction forces, kinematics, speed, and strenght parameters. Each subject will be tested over 15 days; 4 days pre-brace (non-braced), 7 consective days of testing while wearing a custom fitted knee brace, and another 2 days of testing post-brace use. Statistical analyses will include single and repeated measures ANOVA and a correlation analysis between braced and non-braced performance levels for the respective test. Significance will be determined at p < 0.05 level. Results and conclusions will be forwared by mid-May 2005 as we are presently engaged in data collection.