Osteoarthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoarthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

A comparison of knee braces during walking for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee.

Richards JD, Sanchez-Ballester J, Jones RK, Darke N, Livingstone BN

Faculty of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK. JRichards@UCLan.ac.uk

In this cross-over study, we evaluated two types of knee brace commonly used in the conservative treatment of osteoarthritis of the medial compartment. Twelve patients confirmed radiologically as having unilateral osteoarthritis of the medial compartment (Larsen grade 2 to grade 4) were studied. Treatment with a simple hinged brace was compared with that using a valgus corrective brace. Knee kinematics, ground reaction forces, pain and function were assessed during walking and the Hospital for Special Surgery scores were also determined.Significant improvements in pain, function, and loading and propulsive forces were seen with the valgus brace. Treatment with a simple brace showed only significant improvements in loading forces. Our findings suggest that although both braces improved confidence and function during gait, the valgus brace showed greater benefit.

Published 23 June 2005 in J Bone Joint Surg Br, 87(7): 937-9.
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