Knee Orthoses for Sports-Related Issues

Abstract

Abstract Injuries to various structures of the knee joint, including the ligaments, menisci, and patellofemoral components, compose a significant portion of sports-related injuries seen by health care providers and compromise a patient s knee joint function and stability. Knee orthoses have been used in each step of the sport performance process, such as injury minimization, ligament rehabilitation after reconstruction, and treatment of functional instability of the knee joint. The knee joint allows for flexion and extension with some degree of translation and axial rotation. Shear forces act upon the knee during gait and in weight-bearing tasks. Proper functioning of knee braces must take into account these biomechanical factors. Both prefabricated (“off-the-shelf”) and custom-made knee brace designs have proven effective, and each has benefits with cost, fit, weight, and material components. More recently, braces have been manufactured with composite lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber and aluminum. Athletes have used knee orthoses both to prevent medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and to protect ACL-deficient knees or an ACL-reconstructed graft while returning to full activity. Knee braces have become an important component in functional rehabilitation programs for treatment of MCL sprains. Acute grade I and II posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears have been shown to heal with bracing, protected weight bearing, and quadriceps muscle rehabilitation. Braces are now used in osteoarthritis to enhance function and reduce pain.